Senior Development Officer

COVID 19 On-Campus Requirements

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1, 2022, but the University may reinstate them at any point.

About Queen's University

Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

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Job Summary

A Brief Overview

Reporting to the Associate Vice-Principal (Campaign), the Senior Development Officer (SDO) provides strategic development support across the University's campaign initiatives. This role does not have an assigned portfolio and will be deployed flexibly to support the university's evolving priorities, including campaign planning, prospect qualification, donor assessments, and engagement activities as needed.

As the university enters the campaign planning phase, the SDO will provide critical capacity to identify and engage high-level alumni, donors and volunteers to help cultivate the next generation of philanthropic leaders, and support senior leadership in developing and executing strategies for major gift prospects. Prospect strategy, donor intelligence, and relationship management are central to this role, ensuring that the university is well-positioned to achieve its philanthropic goals across any area of focus.

The SDO will work collaboratively with the senior leadership across the university and with Advancement staff to deliver results in a dynamic, campaign-focused environment.

This position prioritizes, plans, executes, and evaluates strategies that result in major gifts. This position builds strong partnerships with a diverse group of stakeholders to expand and diversity the prospect pool. This position evaluates a diverse portfolio of accounts and donor relationships including developing the case and preparing the funding requests needed to achieve major fundraising targets.

The schedule for this position requires the incumbent to work variable hours on a regular basis, including evenings and weekends. In addition, travel is an inherent part of the position. This position is subject to the Averaging and Travel Time Credit provisions of the USW Local 2010 Collective Agreement.

Job Description

What you will do

• Develops the case and prepares the funding requests needed to achieve major fundraising targets. This includes providing expert advice to others on customized messaging, and language and format of communications.
• Writes project-specific mini case statements for all development funding priorities.
• Creates and edits fundraising proposals for presentation to prospects and benefactors at all giving levels.
• Manages special projects and secures financial support for fundraising priorities.
• Develops, writes, edits and finalizes briefing notes and speaking remarks for senior leadership.
• Conducts, analyzes and leverages market research to understand the attitudes, perceptions, and behaviours of donors in order to establish plans and priorities.
• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, stewards and renews Queen’s donors and prospective donors.
• Defines and oversees the development of business plans, schedules, and service contracts/agreements, and manages project budgets.
• Interviews faculty, staff, senior administrators, students, alumni and benefactors to gather information for written and online products.
• Other duties as required in support of the department and/or unit.

Required Education

• Four-Year Bachelor Degree or equivalent. In addition, requires trade certification, qualification, or on-going learning to remain ahead of changes in technology or emerging fields.

Required Experience

• More than 5 years of experience.
• Experience developing and/or implementing fundraising and/or major gift plans considered an asset.
• Knowledge of relationship building, fundraising and stewardship considered an asset.
• Previous experience building relationships with donors considered an asset.
• Experience in data, trend analysis and reporting considered an asset.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, policies, standards and/or guidelines considered an asset.
• Experience working with diverse populations/equity deserving groups considered an asset.
• Experience working at a post-secondary education institution considered an asset.
• Experience working in a non-profit office considered an asset.
• Experience in planning and/or managing projects considered an asset.

Required Licenses and Certifications

• G Driver's Licence required.
• Satisfactory Criminal Records Check required.
• Valid Passport with no travel restrictions is required.
• A CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) certification considered an asset.

Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Knowledge and Requirements

• Knowledge of concepts and principles in a specialist field that is typically acquired through a combination of advanced professional or academic qualifications and/or significant work experience.
• Provide expert advice, guidance and consultation on highly complex issues and/or where the outcome may be contentious.
• Interaction with others requires highly developed interpersonal skills to effectively persuade, negotiate, counsel, and/or consult.
  
• Adapt messages to meet the different needs of different audiences.
• Prioritize and distribute work to deliver objectives on time and to the highest standard.
• Identify in advance when the intended results may not be achieved and develops a plan to address the gaps.
• Lead team and project meetings and develop team/unit and departmental project plans.
• Lead procedural or technological change within a unit or across broader university functions.
• Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of work processes.
• Anticipate complex challenges to ensure activities are completed on time.
• Effectively leverage relevant data as input to making decisions.
• Appropriately assess risks before making a decision.
• Comprehensive understanding of what sexual violence, harassment and discrimination are, and their varying effects on diverse members of the community.
• Question and take appropriate steps to address attitudes, macroaggressions and other behaviours which are discriminatory. Acknowledges and respects diverse cultural traditions, abilities and beliefs.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at hradmin@queensu.ca.