Communication Specialist, Development

Position: Communications Specialist, Development
Location: London, Ontario
Position Type: Full-time (35 hours/week), 2-year contract.
Hiring Range: $55,900-$69,900. 
Application Deadline: Wednesday May 1, 2024 at 11:59PM.

About Ivey Business School:

Ivey Business School acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lunaapéewak, and Attawandaron peoples, where Western University and Ivey Business School are located. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous peoples, whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of the community.

Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University (www.uwo.ca) is Canada’s leading provider of real-world, case-based business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey’s faculty provides the best classroom experience, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities they need to confidently take on today’s leadership challenges and opportunities through Case-Method Learning. Ivey offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as Executive Education at campuses in London, Toronto, and Hong Kong.

The Advancement department plays a pivotal role in nurturing enduring relationships which foster meaningful engagement, financial support, advocacy and leadership among alumni and other stakeholders globally. The development team, within the Advancement department, raises philanthropic and sponsorship support for Ivey, generally raising over $15 million annually.

Position Overview:

The Communications Specialist, Development role involves supporting the Development team in the pursuit of raising philanthropic funds for the Ivey Business School through creative and persuasive communications. This position requires a strong understanding of the value of curating inspired and compelling storytelling for all donor proposals and briefs. This role drives collaboration and research to create individual donor proposals, tailored donor reports, and fundraising collateral to inspire further philanthropic support. A successful Communications Specialist, Development incumbent will be self-motivated, passionate about business and higher education, and have a desire to be part of a supportive and engaging team.
 

Responsibilities:

Stewardship & Fundraising Support

• Write personalized and template letters for items like: donor thank you, congratulatory, and endowment fund reports.
• Working with the Manager, Development Communications, collect and write content for individualized impact reports for all major gift and student award donors. This includes engaging with faculty and students to develop relevant content for the impact reports. 
• Supports the Manager in developing Annual Fund solicitations and key messaging.
• Supports the Manager in the creation of development materials for InTouch newsletters and magazines.
• Participate in and attend department and committee meetings that enhance and contribute to fundraising activities.
• Communicates with stakeholders to advocate for cooperation or access to essential data, ensuring the timely completion of donor-related content.
• Efficiently gather relevant data to create compelling content for donors in collaboration with the Manager, Development Communications. If information is inaccessible, demonstrate the ability to strategize alternative methods to obtain the necessary data.
• Develop detailed project timelines and milestones to guarantee timely completion of tasks and meet reporting deadlines, thereby enhancing the efficiency of internal progress reporting.
• Consistently explore innovative methods to share content with fundraisers, ensuring that valuable insights beneficial to colleagues' work are communicated effectively.
• In collaboration with Manager, Development Communications, execute upon a comprehensive outline of funding priorities, utilizing available resources, and building upon existing materials as necessary. Additionally, create customized fundraising collateral upon request from front-line fundraisers to present to donors, engaging in discussions with the fundraiser to explore various options.

Proposal Development & Grant Writing 

• Support the Manager, Development Communications, in the development and production of major and principal gift proposals. This includes gathering information and/or researching information specific to the prospective donor and the proposal. 
• Support the Manager, Development Communications, in identifying Foundations with funding priorities aligned with activities at Ivey and drafting grant applications.  
• Engage with various centers, institutes, faculty, and staff to gather content and tailor it effectively for donor audiences.
• Partner with the Manager, Development Communications, and fundraisers to understand their requirements for promotional materials, ensuring alignment with fundraising objectives.
• Support in writing annual fund appeals, focusing on continuous improvement and refinement of messaging. Collaborate with the annual giving team and the Director of Development to develop a compelling "case for support" highlighting Ivey's fundraising needs.
• Support the Manager, Development Communication, with working with the development team to agree on the best way to present fundraising requests and materials, ensuring unity and clarity in fundraising efforts.
• Stay updated on Ivey news and continually explore innovative methods to enhance communication with donors and prospects.
• Provide innovative suggestions to elevate the visual appeal and presentation quality of reports and proposals, ensuring they are captivating and engaging.

Qualifications: 

Education & Experience

• A University degree in business, communications, journalism, arts or a related field.
• 1 - 3 years of work experience writing in a business or fundraising environment, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Skills & Abilities 

• Strong writing skills with an ability to write effectively, creatively and persuasively and to converse easily with alumni, major gift donors and faculty.
• Excellent organizational, planning and time management skills, attention to detail and an ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. 
• Extremely effective interpersonal skills with a professional presence and manner; capable of exercising independent judgment and flexibility.
• Superior interviewing and listening skills as well as excellent oral and written communication skills.  
• Ability to organize and manage a diverse range of assignments and projects with high efficiency, yet thorough attention to detail and follow through.
• Competent computer skills using Microsoft Office Suite Components, plus an aptitude to quickly adapt to new technologies; demonstrated ability to enhance the professional presentation of materials produced.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities and be self-motivated in a very high pressure, fast paced and demanding work environment is required.
• Ability to work in teams or independently with minimal administrative support.
• Ability to take initiative and work co-operatively with academic and administrative staff as well as other Ivey community members.
• Knowledge of the administrative procedures of University and the Richard Ivey School of Business would be beneficial.
• An understanding of corporate structures and knowledge of the Canadian business environment would be beneficial.
• An understanding of Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator would be advantages to the role, but not essential.

What We Offer:

• A bright, inclusive, and modern eco-friendly working environment
• Flexible or hybrid work plans for many roles
• A collaborative and engaging work culture
• Opportunity to join a community of people-focused professionals
• Market competitive compensation 
• Generous benefits package 
• Enhanced mental health benefits coverage and resources
• Vacation starting at 15 days per year plus 2 paid Ivey Personal Days
• Paid time off during the School’s December holiday closure
• Numerous campus-wide arts, culture, and sport events
• Employee Assistance Program with family coverage

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Ivey

Ivey Business School is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Please explore Ivey’s EDI homepage for more information on Ivey's commitment to EDI, to read about Ivey’s progress in the EDI Update, and to meet Ivey’s EDI Advisory Council members.

Ivey Business School invites applications from all qualified individuals. Ivey is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace, and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodation
Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Please contact us at hr@ivey.ca to notify us of any needs related to completing the job application, and/or throughout the recruitment process.

Application:

If you're excited about joining Canada's leading business school and meet the qualifications, please submit your resume and cover letter via the Ivey Careers page by the application deadline.

*Please note only selected candidates will be contacted.


Learn more and Apply