Director, Development

About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth.  We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

The University Advancement division plays a leading role in strengthening awareness of and support for the University’s mission and goals by leading alumni relations and fundraising efforts across campus and beyond. All departments within the Division build enduring alumni and public trust through understanding and support for Western University in a coordinated campus-wide effort that results in the engagement and funding needed to make an impact. There are 3 departments within the Division – Departments of Development, Alumni Relations and Advancement Operations.

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry (SSMD) provides outstanding education within a research-intensive, distributed learning environment where tomorrow’s physicians, dentists, and health researchers and other scholars learn to shape the future of healthcare in our community and around the world.  With a goal of becoming a global leader in optimizing lifelong health through innovation in education, research and active engagement with our community, it is a very exciting time to join our exceptional team of development professionals. 

Responsibilities

The Director, Development, will play a key role on the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry Development Team. The role will provide day-to-day management of the Gift Officer team and actively participate in raising philanthropic support for the Faculty.  The Director will ensure efforts are focused and coordinated to meet the deliverables of the School’s fundraising priorities, and that progress is continual towards meeting multi-year goals. The Director will be responsible for significantly increasing and diversifying revenue to the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry from donors and prospects (e.g. individuals, corporations and foundations) at the Major Gift level. 

The Director will design, develop, implement, evaluate and manage fundraising strategies as part of an overall development process, which matches the Faculty’s and University’s academic objectives and financial needs with the highest philanthropic aspirations of donors who have the capacity to make significant gifts. Reporting to the Executive Director, the role will play a pivotal part in helping Schulich Medicine & Dentistry meet and exceed its ambitious fundraising goals, sustaining a $20 million annual operation with plans to grow upwards of $30 million annually.  The role will interact and work closely with senior academic and administrative leaders to develop and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies to support their programs
 

Qualifications

Education:

• University degree; Honours Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications or Public Relations preferred 
• Accreditation through Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation preferred

Experience:

• 8 years’ experience securing six and seven-figure financial agreements within the private sector or similar levels of major gifts in the charitable sector
• Demonstrated experience leading a team towards revenue targets
• Experience leading a fundraising, or revenue generating, portfolio towards multi-million dollar targets
• Experience with donor strategy development, implementation and evaluation
• Experience successfully managing multiple projects from conception to completion within tight prescribed deadlines
• Experience fundraising with a university or other complex non-profit environment is preferred 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to effectively collaborate in the achievement of a fundraising or revenue-generating campaign and realize targets, preferably in an academic setting
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on proposal development and presentation to internal and external contacts
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects at once from conception to completion with tightly prescribed timelines
• Ability to establish and build healthy working relations and partnerships with clients, peers and external stakeholders
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage activities both for self and others effectively
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution and people management skills
• Flexible, resourceful, creative and pro-active work style with a can-do, enthusiastic attitude
• Emotional Intelligence (to ensure own work-life balance and good collegial relationships are maintained
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning and professional development to stay informed about fundraising initiatives and the unit’s missions and objectives
• Results-oriented with an ability to handle many tasks and maintain a high level of individual and team performance
• Flexibility to work outside of regular business hours and travel frequently
• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office and a client/donor relations management software

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western 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.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.  If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwo.ca or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.


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