Senior Development Officer

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Job Title

Senior Development Officer

Job ID

72412

Location

Central Campus

Open Date

10/14/2025

Job Type

Continuing

Close Date

11/05/2025

Employee Group

TMG

Favorite Job

Department

UA Health Sciences Advancement

Salary Grade/Band

Band J

Salary Range

$ $ annual)

Hours per Week

35

Posting Details

Schedule

M-F 8:30-4:30

Education Level

University

Career Level

5-10 years

Job Description

Are you interested in helping to create a Brighter World?

McMaster University fuels curiosity, inquiry, and discovery. Every day, we push the boundaries of knowledge through our world-class, interdisciplinary research and our ground-breaking approaches to teaching and learning. Our students, faculty, researchers and staff are among the best and brightest.

Joining McMaster at an exciting time, Senior Development Officer will work collaboratively with University Advancement and the Faculty of Health Sciences to support the generation of private revenue for a multi-year comprehensive campaign.

NexusHealth is a McMaster-based health innovation accelerator, designed to transform how the modern university catalyzes the translation of health-related discoveries to tangible new health solutions. It brings together stakeholders from across sectors and working together in new ways to more efficiently move novel health solutions from university labs to society, where they can benefit the patients who need them. Our ethos of co-design ensures stakeholders from different sectors have input at all stages of research, helping to shorten the pathway from ideation to implementation.

McMaster's vibrant student experience, world-class research, and community engagement are empowered by the support of thousands of alumni and donors who believe strongly in the university's mission. Together, our broader community helps make McMaster what it is today and helps nurture the next generation of leaders in our world. The University Advancement team plays a critically important role in advancing the university's strategy in support of its ambitious vision, in partnership with academic and administrative leaders across all campuses.

University Advancement at McMaster is an integrated department that encompasses the areas of Development, Alumni Advancement, Stewardship, Volunteer Engagement and Advancement Services & Operations; areas that coordinate their activities and work as a team to build relationships, reputation, and resources.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director, Development, NexusHealth, the Senior Development Officer is responsible for engaging prospects and donors in the meaningful work of the University and the Faculty of Health Sciences, developing meaningful relationships and moving them through the pipeline to be solicited for donations that will advance the Faculty's priorities.

This position is responsible for making a positive commitment to University Advancement's mission, vision and values, and principles: Integrity, Quality, Respect, Service, Strategy and Teamwork.

The Faculty of Health Sciences, trains Canada's next generation of healthcare practitioners, researchers and entrepreneurs – including physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, and biomedical scientists. The Faculty ranks among the top 50 in the world, and top 2 in Canada, for health and clinical medicine. Internationally renowned for its medical education and research excellence, the Faculty of Health Sciences is comprised of four schools alongside a multitude of high-impact research institutes and centres. Areas of research excellence include allergy, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, childhood disability, diabetes, gastroenterology, health equity, pain, infectious diseases and virology.

University Advancement at McMaster University is a flexible, dynamic and ambitious team. We strengthen McMaster's relationships, secure new revenue and develop a pipeline of funders and supporters for the University. The primary means of raising funds involves face-to-face meetings and virtual visits, often involving University leadership and top researchers from our Faculty. As Associate Director, Advancement, you will drive the identification, cultivation, and development of a customized fundraising and recognition/stewardship plans for some of McMaster's most significant funders.

Accountabilities

• Assess needs and contribute to the development and implementation of plans for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and recognition.
• Determine the appropriate involvement of members of the university community and volunteers in the cultivation, solicitation and recognition process.
• Meet face-to-face with current and potential donors to discuss giving interests and opportunities.
• Identify, evaluate and recommend the necessary steps to bring the prospect closer to making a major financial commitment to the University.
• Develop tailored fundraising initiatives that support strategic initiatives.
• Develop and implement plans to support donor management and stewardship strategies and/or activities.
• Write briefing notes, solicitation plans and call reports to track donor interaction.
• Contribute to campaign strategy and execution of all major campaign milestones, including launches, donor cultivation events, and gift and goal celebrations.
• Contribute to Faculty and/or Unit planning and goal setting, and track and evaluate progress against key performance indicators.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study. A McMaster degree is an asset

Experience:

• Requires a minimum of 5 years of prior experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing a portfolio of donor relationships at all levels, including one-on-one donor identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Experience working with a CRM (Advance, Raiser's Edge, etc…) is required.
• Demonstrated experience meeting individual and team financial and activity goals.
• Demonstrated experience soliciting and closing gifts at the major gift level.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and negotiation skills.
• Extreme professionalism, excellent judgement and decision-making abilities, as well as display tact and sensitivity.
• Ability to work productively and effectively with individuals of affluence and influence.
• Proven ability to motivate others (volunteers, team members, donors, etc.).
• Strong team player who values collaboration. Demonstrated proposal and presentation skills.
• Evidence of leadership, initiative, tact, diplomacy, attention to detail and creativity.
• Ability to handle multiple competing priorities and excel in a results-oriented environment by meeting established personal and team goals.
• Excellent customer-service skills and strong service orientation.
• Time-management and multi-tasking abilities.

What McMaster has to offer

McMaster University has a market-driven total rewards package with a comprehensive benefits plan, including a recently expanded mental health benefit entitlement, retirement savings plans, vacation, professional development fund and tuition assistance. Our total rewards package attracts, develops and retains our outstanding workforce.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the "Dish With One Spoon" wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster's commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at ext. 222-HR , or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Vaccination Mandate - FHS

This position is located in a host hospital or other healthcare site that has an active vaccination mandate in place. Successful applicants will need to comply with these and any other health and safety measures necessary as part of their appointment.

Hybrid Work Language

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.