Position description
The Development Officer is one of Mount Allison’s key relationship managers, and a key member of the University Advancement team, accountable for the successful management of a major gift prospect portfolio with an emphasis on Athletics. They also provide input on issues and opportunities related to the Advancement priorities, specifically Athletics, and interact with Mount Allison’s benefactors and volunteers. Part of a small and dynamic team, the Development Officer reports to the Director of Development but will spend significant time outside the University campus interacting with potential donors.
Position Responsibilities
- Accountable for the successful engagement, cultivation and nurturing of a major donor prospect portfolio of approximately 100 relationships; personally visiting prospects and donors regularly and as appropriate.
- Ensure strategic and meaningful relationship-building at every stage of the fundraising cycle with donors and prospective donors through face-to-face visits, volunteer engagement, and related events and communications.
- Execute prospect plans with clear goals, targets, and measures of performance for their portfolio.
- Within the university fundraising priorities, work with the University Advancement team to develop specific fund raising proposals and related materials for the cultivation and solicitation of major gift donors.
- Work with the Vice-President, University Advancement, the Director of Development, and the Advancement Services team on the strategic identification and research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Mount Allison’s catchment of major gift donors and prospective donors.
- Participate in the execution of comprehensive stewardship plans, including communications and events, ensuring accountability to and appreciation of donors.
Qualifications/skills
Ideal Candidate Profile
- As the ideal candidate, you are an experienced fundraiser with a passion for post-secondary education and the ability to develop new relationships and advance existing relationships on behalf of the University. A self-starter, you are aspirational in setting goals and bring a successful track record of achieving goals through data-informed planning, tenacious execution in closing gifts, and impeccable follow through. Your superb communication skills enable you to listen and engage effectively, articulate complex issues clearly and simply, and make a compelling case for support with sophisticated philanthropists, volunteers, and members of the University community.
- You possess the ability to articulate a future vision and strategies and action those plans that enable the organization to achieve its strategic objectives. You are prepared to work collaboratively with the Advancement team to shape the future of the institution and pursue excellence on an organizational level.
- You are extremely competent at translating a fundraising goal into a clearly articulated and artful vision that will inspire those around you. You quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal, eliminate roadblocks, and create a pathway for success.
- You are a diplomatic, dynamic, and professional communicator, capable of building effective relationships and partnerships of benefit to the University. You have developed extensive connections on the national level and are a savvy networker capable of working with a diverse array of potential donors. Equipped with an understanding of the university environment and the importance of internal stakeholder relationships, you are ready to work productively with academic and non-academic leaders as well as faculty and staff at the University to promote a culture of philanthropy across the institution.
Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution
- Five years' experience in major gift fundraising with a track record of closing major gift and gifts of $25,000 and greater, preferably in higher education
- Proven ability to work both collaboratively and autonomously and to handle multiple accounts simultaneously
- High level of integrity, the ability to extend and to earn trust, and a passion for working collaboratively and cooperatively with a wide range of people and cultures
- Demonstrated experience in identifying new prospects and developing strategies for major gift and planned gift cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
- Strong interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills
- Exceptional creative, organizational, problem solving and critical thinking skills
- Interest in all aspects of undergraduate education, and the Mount Allison University community
- An interest in and knowledge of University Athletics
- Ability to meet deadlines and juggle competing priorities in a high-paced environment
If you are interested in the challenges and opportunities that this position has to offer, please forward your application to: Human Resources Department, Mount Allison University, 65 York St., Sackville, NB E4L 1E4 Fax: (506) 364-2385, e-mail: hr@mta.ca Review of applications will begin on April 12, 2024.
Mount Allison is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. We encourage applications from members of racialized communities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual and gender identities. We seek candidates with qualifications and knowledge to contribute specifically to the further diversification of our campus community.
At Mount Allison, we are committed to ensuring your interview experience is as comfortable and accessible as possible. If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the interview process, please do not hesitate to inform us. Your needs are important to us, and our dedicated team is here to support you.
Visit our website at www.mta.ca/employment for other employment opportunities at Mount Allison University or to register to receive e-mail notification of new opportunities.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.