Senior Development Officer

University of Toronto • Toronto, ON

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Advancement team’s vision is to make the School a go-to place for Rotman alumni worldwide. Our alumni proudly identify themselves as Rotman graduates and look to Rotman first for talent, professional development, business and personal networks, and philanthropy. Rotman alumni are the School’s strongest ambassadors — and building meaningful, sustained relationships with them requires a deep understanding of their values, networks, and shared experiences. As a key member of the annual and leadership giving team and reporting to the Associate Director, Development, the Senior Development Officer (SDO) plays a pivotal role in advancing this mission. The SDO will be responsible for strategically identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors at leadership levels ($1,000–$49,999) and lower-end major gifts ($50,000–$99,999) within the unique culture and philanthropic landscape of the Rotman alumni community. Success in this role requires proven expertise in engaging high-potential donors using a relationship-driven, values-based approach. The incumbent must demonstrate nuanced understanding of the Rotman and University of Toronto alumni ecosystem, and leverage that insight to align donor interests with the School’s strategic priorities. The SDO will work with a portfolio of warm and cold prospects, including those with complex or multiyear giving capacity, and will actively initiate and lead customized engagement strategies that integrate campus experiences, peer networks, and long-term stewardship plans. The SDO will oversee the planning, implementation, and execution of key elements of Rotman Giving Day, a flagship annual multi-channel campaign focused on securing leadership-level annual gifts. The SDO will be expected to bring experience in managing a sophisticated donor pipeline, crafting compelling cases for support, and navigating diverse stakeholder interests with discretion and cultural sensitivity. Familiarity with academic advancement structures, Rotman’s strategic positioning, and global alumni engagement is essential.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years of experience in progressively senior fundraising roles.
• Demonstrated track record in annual pipeline building and one-on-one donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• A proven record of upgrading and acquiring donors for annual support at the leadership level and closing corporate and individual gifts with minimum raised per annum of $250,000.
• Evidence of hands on leadership in fundraising campaigns.
• Experience in managing and building volunteer cabinets in support of corporate and major gift campaigns.
• Experience in writing proposals and creating other written materials to support fundraising activities
• Demonstrated experience in an academic fundraising environment, within a school of business. Must have demonstrated experience working closely with lead academics and faculty members to raise funds.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, implementing and managing a multi-channel giving day campaign.
• Computer literacy, including MS Office, databases.
• Demonstrated strategic, analytical and presentation skills within a major gift fundraising environment and the ability to interact with senior volunteers, donors and faculty members.
• Exceptional interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Possesses the highest level of integrity, donor confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information, tasks and relationships.
• Evidence of leadership and initiative, tact, diplomacy, attention to detail and creativity.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a demanding, deadline-oriented environment.
• Professional personal presentation and demeanor; ability to quickly gain trust and credibility with potential donors, volunteers and faculty.

Nice To Haves

• Desktop publishing is an asset.
• Knowledge of the business community.

Responsibilities

• Cultivating and soliciting current and prospective annual gift and major gift donors through tailored stewardship programs.
• Developing and implementing plans to support donor management and stewardship strategies and/or activities.
• Assessing needs and contributing to the development and implementation of plans for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and recognition.
• Developing and implementing donor engagement plans that support strategic objectives.
• Handling sensitive and/or confidential information.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior