Director of Development, Strategic Opportunities

University of British Columbia•Vancouver, BC

1d•CA$10,460 - CA$15,676

About The Position

This position is responsible for assisting with the preparation and monitoring of unit goals, managing and evaluating design, development, and coordination of projects. Broad responsibility for unit's operations in Senior Director/Assistant Dean's absence. Also responsible for components of a defined development program at an average $20+million level with 10+ staff, or managing resource development activity at an average of $4+million annually and responsibility for dealing with complex, confidential information where consequence of error is high. If position has direct donor contact, metrics are included. If no direct donor contact, annual targets to be set by work plan goals and objectives.

Requirements

University degree in a relevant discipline.
Minimum of eight years of related job experience including five years of experience in fundraising, alumni engagement, advancement experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree and/or an undergraduate degree in commerce, marketing or economics is preferred.
Proven experience in Major-Gift fundraising and skilled in strategy development.
Thorough knowledge of the university environment and academic structure is preferred.
3 years’ experience meeting or exceeding annual metrics at the Associate Director level, or equivalent.
Experience working with a centralized fundraising system an asset.
Ability to work independently while exercising good judgement at all times.
Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills are required, along with strategic thinking and skills in conflict resolution.
Strong conceptual abilities combined with high attention to detail.
Ability to work simultaneously on a variety of complex projects with imposed deadlines; ability to formulate strategic plans; effective communication skills, verbal and written; strong interpersonal and negotiation skills required in liaising with major donors, corporate executives and senior university administration; proven ability to work with the University’s senior-most donors to advance the University’s mission; tact, diplomacy, discretion and sound judgment required.
The incumbent should have the ability to plan, coordinate and supervise the work of others, in order to execute a variety of complex projects with imposed deadlines.
Computer experience required; MS Windows environment, Microsoft Office preferred.

Responsibilities

Works closely with the Senior Director/Assistant Dean or Executive Director and senior management to facilitate maximum private and public sector support for the University;
Assists with the preparation and monitoring of unit goals, manages and evaluates design, development, and coordination of projects;
May oversee daily operations of the program or unit including: development and implementation of strategies for closing major gift solicitations; coordinating staffing for major gift solicitations.
Oversees administrative functions of the program or unit including: development and implementation of individual plans for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects and donors; oversees implementation of appropriate donor recognition; ensuring acknowledgement and stewardship programs are in place;
Develops and manages a personal portfolio of major gift prospects (75-150) making face-to-face visits (125-200 annually) for the purposes of discovery, cultivation and solicitation (20-25 annually) for prospects at the major gift level (defined as $50,000 and up). Or annual targets to be set by work plan goals and objectives as approved by Executive Director;
Develops proposals and works with donors to generate gifts for priority projects;
Manages the donor pipeline, ensuring that appropriate strategies are in place and acted on;
Involved in managing and motivating staff; may also be responsible for: planning and approving professional development for staff, hiring, training and terminating staff, conducting performance reviews to ensure annual benchmarks and performance goals are achieved;
Mentors and develops fundraising staff, including working with them to develop strategy for donor cultivation and solicitation, “making the ask”;
Generates donor/prospect solicitation materials and correspondence;
Performs other related duties as required.