Development Communications Manager

Department: OVC Advancement
This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

Temporary full-time from 07/07/2025 to 07/09/2027

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

General Purpose

In our work, we advance the mission of the University of Guelph by building lifelong relationships with our community: alumni, donors, and friends. Our vision is for the University of Guelph to be personally relevant in the lives of our community members. Through these relationships, we amplify the impact of philanthropy to create unique solutions for the challenges facing our world. As a member of this campus-wide team, the Development Communications Manager epitomizes the department’s shared values of respect, empowerment, integrity, appreciation, and forward focus.

The department of Alumni Affairs & Development (AA&D) is a central service at the University of Guelph and supports the University’s mission to Improve Life by building lifelong relationships with alumni, donors and champions. AA&D is accountable for raising money for the institution’s strategic priorities through the identification and alignment of donors and prospective donors. The department has a vision to attract $50 million in sustained annual philanthropic support and to be one of Canada’s most sought-after advancement organizations. As a member of Alumni Affairs and Development, the Development Communications Manager exemplifies the departmental values of respect, empowerment, integrity, appreciation and forward focus.

As the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), supported by the work of the OVC Advancement team, embarks on a $30-million capital project, the Development Communications Manager will be the internal liaison, creator, and project manager of high value OVC Advancement solicitations and stewardship communications.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Stewardship and Engagement Manager, the Development Communication Manager will work collaboratively within the OVC External Relations team acting as a liaison between OVC Advancement and OVC Marketing and Communications. The Development Communications Manager will develop proposals and stewardship reports for OVC’s top donors and prospects. This will involve working closely with the front-line advancement team, college/department dean/faculty/staff, and senior administration, and as appropriate, the donor/prospect. The Development Communications Manager will create for each prospect bespoke, University-branded proposals and stewardship reports with key, strategic messaging throughout. The incumbent is expected to research all aspects of the fundraising proposal and work with impacted teams to create stewardship reports, ensuring all key components are accurate and have obtained proper University approvals. This will require the incumbent to review background materials which may involve researching complex information. The incumbent will be responsible for the entire phase of proposal and stewardship report development, from content to the implementation of design and distribution of the final document.

Further, the Development Communications Manager will lead the development of strategic fundraising collateral, such as case for support documents, in line with current fundraising priorities of the OVC. The purpose of these documents is to inspire and guide prospects to consider major philanthropic support for the OVC. The incumbent, working with relationship managers, will be required to interview scientists/administrators /senior leaders and research background materials to translate complex information into an inspiring narrative, easily understood by donors and prospects. Moreover, the incumbent will be required to navigate appropriate input and feedback from major stakeholders including OVC’s faculty; relationship managers; Stewardship and Engagement Manager; Director, Advancement; Director, Marketing and Communications; Dean; as well as the University of Guelph’s Central AA&D Communications, and Associate Vice President, AA&D.

Responsibilities include:

• Working closely with the OVC Advancement team to develop strategy and execute tailored communication vehicles for specific donors (with philanthropic asks ranging from $25K - $15M) i.e. presentations, briefs, pitch materials, and leave-behind collateral.
• Researching all aspects of priority projects to ensure continuity and accuracy.
• Conveying complex problems and opportunities - from those of the U of G to those of the greater global community - in a way that is inspiring and timely.
• Co-evolving a suite of branded fundraising collateral.

• Conducting interviews with faculty, staff, students, and senior leadership for the development of stewardship reports for OVC’s top donors.
• Requesting and interpreting the raw text and graphic/photo content from donor-supported program managers or faculty chairs for the development of annual or biennial stewardship reports, according to an established report calendar.

Requirements

The university recognizes that no one individual will have the following skills/experience in equal measure but the qualifications below will be used to assess the suitability of candidates throughout the process:

• University degree in communications, marketing, or related discipline, with five years’ experience in fundraising communications and a track record of securing major gifts.
• Superior writing skills are critical. The successful candidate will have demonstrated, through a portfolio of samples, professional-level writing ability with respect to style, organization and structure, appropriateness to subject, breadth of subject matter and clear understanding of the target audience(s) and presentation of key message(s).
• Excellent editing and proofreading skills.
• High level of skill with InDesign, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of graphic design, publication layout and publishing processes.
• Demonstrated excellence in communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent knowledge of university advancement and fundraising principles, specifically relating to campaigns, proposals and case for support documents.
• Familiarity with CRA guidelines and ethical fundraising procedures as they apply to major gift fundraising in the post-secondary sector.
• Critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• Ability to think and act quickly, effectively and resourcefully under pressure, exercising tact, diplomacy, discretion and good judgement.
• Strong time management skills.

Please include a cover letter along with your resume in your application.

Why choose the University of Guelph

• Comprehensive Extended Health Care Benefits: Immediate enrollment in extended health to cover yourself and your family
• Time off: Strong vacation allocation, floater days, and paid time off during the December closure to ensure that you are at your best
• Wellness: In addition to extensive wellness programming, the University offers a yearly flexible spending credit that can be allocated to any of the following: Health Spending, Wellness or Professional Development
• Learning & Development: Learning and development curriculum and other professional growth opportunities
• On-campus Activities: Discounts on food and apparel, fitness programming, access to networking events and team building opportunities
• Improve Life: Work that directly impacts a brighter future by turning knowledge into action

The university provides a flexible work arrangement. This position is required to be fulfilled both remotely and on-campus (Guelph Campus)

Employee Type: Temporary
Position Number: 10918385
Classification: P&M FT- Band 04
Professional/Managerial Salary Bands
The target hiring salary for this position is minimum up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.

*Tentative evaluation

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 05/16/2025
Closing Date: 06/06/2025