Intermediate Specialist, Advancement and Alumni Relations

University of Ottawa • Lexington, MA

1d

About The Position

Student Affairs is at the very heart of the student experience at the University of Ottawa. We recruit the very best future students, support them throughout their university years and leave them well-prepared for fulfilling careers and future studies. Our team of more than 600 dedicated staff provides the services that keep students happy, well and thriving as they pursue their ambitions. We help them apply and enrol for courses, we oversee 11 residences and an award-winning Dining Hall, we organize fun events, we provide extensive recreation program opportunities and varsity sports activities, we run an innovative career development and experiential learning program and much more! There’s nothing more rewarding than helping future generations reach their full potential at a world-class university. With our wide variety of career opportunities and professional development pathways, we’re sure that you’ll enjoy the experience as much as our students do. University Advancement plays a pivotal role in fostering meaningful connections between the University and its alumni, donors, and partners. Our team is dedicated to advancing the University's mission by securing philanthropic support, engaging with our vibrant alumni community, and building partnerships that drive innovation and excellence. Through strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts, we help shape the future of the University, ensuring that it continues to thrive as a leading institution of higher education and research. Together, we empower our students, faculty and researchers to make a lasting impact on the world. Position purpose: Develops and executes strategic fundraising and alumni engagement initiatives to generate financial support and build lasting relationships that directly benefit Gee-Gees recreation and varsity programs, coaches, and student-athletes.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in business, management or a related discipline, or an acceptable equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
• 3 years of professional fundraising, alumni relations, communications or public relations experience
• Bilingualism - French and English (spoken and written)
• Demonstrated initiative and self-starting qualities
• Strong leadership and project management skills
• Experience in negotiation related to fundraising, knowledge of processes, best practices and current industry trends
• Good understanding of the business environment
• Experience in working with volunteers
• Ability to deal with senior executives and officials
• Strong interpersonal, organizational and analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to always act in a professional manner and with discretion
• Sound judgement, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• A passion for sports
• Knowledge of computer-based methods, techniques and software to develop documents, reports and presentations, and retrieve information and data, knowledge and social media presence.
• Ability to work flexible hours including nights and weekends, and to occasionally travel

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Raiser’s Edge an asset.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with supervisor and the Annual Giving Office to design and implement annual fundraising strategies for Recreation and Varsity Sports (RVS) ensuring alignment with institutional goals and maximizing donor engagement.
• Develop and execute short- and long-term strategic plans to identify, cultivate, engage, solicit and steward donors (alumni, parents, organizations, fans) to secure significant funding commitments and foster long-term partnerships.
• Build and strengthen donor relationships through regular in-person meetings, targeted solicitations, and timely follow-ups, to increase donor commitment and advance prospects toward major gift levels.
• Manage a dynamic portfolio of prospects and donors, coordinating qualification, solicitation, cultivation and stewardship activities to optimize revenue generation for RVS.
• Partner with Advancement to identify and assess annual giving prospects, ensuring accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions in the University database.
• Implement and maintain a high-quality stewardship practices for sport related prospects and donors, coordinating recognition opportunities involving senior leaders, coaches, and student athletes to strengthen donor engagement.
• Lead the development and execution of an annual alumni relations plan focused on events and communications that build pride, loyalty, and sustained engagement, among uOttawa Sport alumni, fans, parents and organizations.
• Support and expand alumni volunteer committees by identifying engagement opportunities and serving as the primary liaison to encourage active participation.
• Prepare and monitor the annual budget for alumni relations initiatives, ensuring timely delivery of activities within approved parameters.
• Represent RVS at internal and external meetings and events to promote programs, achievements and initiatives, enhancing visibility and fostering collaboration.

Benefits

• The University of Ottawa offers a generous pay and benefits package that includes a competitive salary, a defined benefit pension plan, group insurance coverage and an employee and family assistance program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees