Manager, Annual Campaign

University of Ottawa•Ottawa, ON

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, or in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum of 7 years of progressive annual campaign fundraising and/or direct marketing management experience.
A proven track record of leading a team towards revenue targets that could include fundraising achievement or elements thereof.
Bilingualism – French and English (spoken and written).
Proven experience in strategy development, project and financial management.
Knowledge of the not-for-profit sector or direct marketing environment, with preference for experience in a University or higher-education environment.
Experience developing marketing materials including direct mail copy, telemarketing and digital scripts and supported by digital platforms such as peer-to-peer fundraising and crowd-funding.
Excellent analytical skills to interpret performance metrics in support of evidence-based decision-making.
Proven abilities in building collaborative and successful working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
Exercises excellent diplomacy and judgment.
Superior interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, as well as occasional required travel.

Nice To Haves

Preference for experience in a University or higher-education environment.

Responsibilities

Provides overarching strategic leadership for the University of Ottawa annual campaign, establishing long-term vision, priorities, and measurable performance objectives aligned with institutional advancement goals.
Sets strategic direction for leadership fundraisers in relation to donor acquisition, retention, and pipeline development, ensuring alignment with faculty and pan-University fundraising priorities.
Develops the annual campaign framework and defines key performance indicators, revenue targets, and engagement benchmarks.
Oversees performance management through data-informed decision-making, establishing accountability structures and evaluating results to drive continuous improvement and sustainable revenue growth.
Tracks success of the annual campaign and provides regular progress reports to senior leadership and annual campaign network in order to ensure that targets are met within designated time frames.
Based on data, industry-wide best practice benchmarking and evidence-based metrics, collaborates with the annual campaign network to recognize opportunities and solutions, recommends and prepares appropriate annual campaign plans to support them.
Acts as strategic leader for all identified and emerging annual campaign activities including, business case development, budget and project management, annual campaign team professional development plans, procurement, advancement services data requests; and coordination of external suppliers and consultants.
Work with faculty leaders and Advancement leadership team to ensure the effective management of policies, procedures and guidelines that are essential for the successful delivery of the annual campaign strategy.
Leads delivery of all internal and external philanthropy programs, including but not limited to: employee giving, retirees, students and community (United Way/Centraide campaign)
Leads annual process to plan and prepare realistic annual budgets and workplans that are supported by measurements, industry metrics and accurate forecasts of staffing, training, and program expenses necessary to ensure an effective and efficient annual campaign.
Manages and monitors the budget allocated for execution of the annual campaign while complying with related policies, regulations and procedures
Provides overall team leadership, direction and mentoring to the annual campaign team and faculties to build a high performing team where each member meets or exceeds team and individual goals and objectives within designated time frames.
Develops and executes a multi-year annual campaign performance strategy for all staff that includes an annual performance appraisal process and goal setting exercise that is based on professional development and annual campaign objectives.
Oversees the work of additional staff and external consultants assigned to special projects within the scope of the annual campaign to ensure alignment with overall program goals.