Senior Development Officer

Date Posted: 10/10/2025
Req ID: 44996
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Office of Advancement
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number:

Description:

About us:

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada's leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.

We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

The Advancement team at the Faculty of Arts & Science plays a critical role in achieving the future success of the Faculty, with the responsibility of generating private sector revenue to support its strategic priorities. Through a range of programs and special initiatives, we raise awareness among current and prospective donors, alumni and volunteers regarding the importance of engaging with and investing in the Faculty. Our office engages in cultivating and sustaining strong relationships with all constituents, including our diverse and accomplished alumni who are located in more than 190 countries

About us:

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada's leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.

We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

The Advancement team at the Faculty of Arts & Science plays a critical role in achieving the future success of the Faculty, with the responsibility of generating private sector revenue to support its strategic priorities. Through a range of programs and special initiatives, we raise awareness among current and prospective donors, alumni and volunteers regarding the importance of engaging with and investing in the Faculty. Our office engages in cultivating and sustaining strong relationships with all constituents, including our diverse and accomplished alumni who are located in more than 190 countries.

Your opportunity:

The Major Gifts team within the Faculty of Arts & Science Advancement focuses on securing philanthropic support at the $50,000 to $4.9 million level, working in close partnership with Alumni Relations, Stewardship, Communications and Advancement Services colleagues. We are seeking a Senior Development Officer (SDO) a skilled and strategic fundraiser—to join this dynamic and collaborative team. The SDO, working under the direction of the Associate Director of Development, will be tasked with the responsibility of identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding a portfolio of major gift donors . The incumbent will build and maintain a robust prospect pipeline through donor interactions and tailored engagement strategies. They will be responsible for encouraging an increased interest and involvement in A&S initiatives, evaluating a prospective donor's giving capacity and readiness to give, and soliciting and securing philanthropic revenue. The SDO will be a self-starter who can work independently, as well as a strong relationship manager who will work effectively with other fundraisers, senior leadership, faculty members and volunteers.

Duties will include: meeting with donors to identify, cultivate and solicit support for the Faculty of Arts & Science; ensuring proper stewardship of major gifts; preparing call reports, briefing notes, proposals, progress reports and prospect/donor correspondence; collaborating with other members of the University's community to develop and execute strategies, and realize goals.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and implementing plans for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and recognition
• Meeting face-to-face with current and potential donors to discuss giving interests and opportunities
• Identifying, evaluating and recommending the necessary steps to bring the prospect closer to making a major financial commitment to the University
• Conducting advanced research and analysis from a variety of sources to provide detailed background data on donors
• Developing and implementing plans to support donor management and stewardship strategies and/or activities
• Writing briefing notes, solicitation plans and call reports to track donor interactions

Qualifications:

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years experience in a senior staff fundraising role with a proven track record of success, ideally in a post-secondary environment or in another large and complex institution
• Demonstrated development success closing gifts at a major gift level of $50,000 or higher
• Experience proactively building and maintaining a pipeline of major gift prospects
• Experience discussing giving interests in face-to-face in-person meetings, and developing strategies to bring prospects closer to making a major financial commitment
• Demonstrated understanding of the Faculty of Arts and Science and the University of Toronto
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion principles
• Well-developed project management, liaison and relationship management experience
• Demonstrated ability to succeed  in a fast-paced, results oriented team environment
• Knowledge and mastery of the donor engagement cycle from discovery and cultivation, to solicitation and stewardship
• Strong computer skills including, fundraising database software, word processing and spreadsheet programs (CRM, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication and relationship management skills
• Excellent writing skills (experience writing briefing notes, solicitation plans, persuasive donor communications, call reports)
• Excellent analytical and research skills, to gather data and insight on prospective donors
• Demonstrated self-starter with initiative and creative thinking in developing solicitation strategies; ability to work independently

Assets (Nonessential):

• A valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout the GTA for off-campus meetings with prospects

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Diplomatic
• Organized
• Persuasive
• Problem solver
• Resourceful
• Team player

Closing Date: 10/23/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW 
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band $97,348. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $124,491. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
Recruiter: Carolyn Wright

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.