Senior Development Officer

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Learn more about our recruitment process.

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Posting Information:

This posting is for 3 existing vacancies. The internal posting deadline for this position is February 12, 2026, at 11:59PM.

This is a Career Path position.

The final level will be determined based on demonstrated skills and experience.
Anticipated hiring ranges:

USG 9: $71,827 - $89,784

USG 10: $78,214- $97,768

USG 11: $85,399 - $106,749

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

Accountable to the Director of Development, Major Gifts, the Senior/Development Officer will be responsible for the corporate and individual fundraising of gifts at the major giving level for the university. Primary responsibilities, carried out as a member of the Development team will include identification, evaluation, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of corporate, foundation and individual donors for the University of Waterloo, and interdisciplinary priority projects.

Key Accountabilities

Portfolio & Prospect Management

· Develops and maintains a good working knowledge of the University of Waterloo’s activities, priorities and needs in both teaching and research

· Has a thorough working knowledge of the University’s fundraising priorities, projects and progress

· Using this knowledge, and in consultation with the Director of Development, Major Gifts, coordinates fundraising strategies for assigned prospect (corporations, foundations and individuals), including qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects

· Works collaboratively with the Office of Advancement to move prospects through the pipeline

· Drafts Terms of Reference for endowment and trust donations

· Has knowledge of giving vehicles and non-complex gifts, refers planned giving prospects

Communications & Coordination

· Creates fundraising materials suitable for presentation to prospective contributors by soliciting technical content and working with the Sr. Communications Officer, Office of Advancement, Creative Services, and University Relations as required

· Develops proposals for projects tailored to the specific interests of corporations, foundations, individuals and associations in conjunction with the Office of Advancement fundraising teams

· Maintains/updates the database by ensuring that meeting notes are recorded in a timely manner and significant moves are tracked in the system

· Coordinates special projects and campaigns as assigned

· Provides functional direction to administrative staff involved in these activities, where applicable

· Contributes to a ‘One Advancement’ team model, encourages collaboration within the team and across Advancement

· Coordinates with Alumni Relations as needed to leverage activity for Development purposes

Relationship Management

· Establishes and maintains relationships with the corporate sector (donations officer, senior officers, etc.), including calls on companies, arranging site visits to campus, special events, announcements, information exchanges

· Recruits, trains and manages volunteer teams as assigned

· Supports the work of the Alumni Relations team and the Donor Relations team in coordinating communications and building relationships with students, young alumni and graduates and maintaining relationships with donors

Required Qualifications

Education

· University degree or equivalent education or experience

Experience

· USG 9: 0-2 years of progressive fundraising experience

· USG 10: 3-5 years of progressive major gift fundraising experience

· USG 11: 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience in securing major gifts and volunteer recruitment and management and experience with the full scope of development activities including discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, recognition and stewardship at the major gift level.

Successful track record of developing and implementing strategies for major gift solicitations with demonstrated success in personally securing and closing major gifts

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

· Understanding and appreciation of the key role of a university education and the crucial importance of attracting and retaining the very best talent available (students, faculty, staff)

· Understanding of the university environment including the integration of research and teaching

· Knowledge of giving vehicles and non-complex gifts

· Proven competence in project management, multi-tasking, planning, analytical and organizational skills

· Excellent communication, interpersonal, oral and writing skills including the expertise to create promotional materials and proposals

· Political acumen and problem-solving skills are required

· Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently and effectively as part of a team with a broad mandate in a fast-paced, highly computerized and challenging environment

· Knowledge and excellence in working with fundraising software is considered an asset

· Demonstrated relationship building skills, excellent time management and proven ability to meet competing deadlines in an organized manner

· Must have strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills

· Computer literacy and working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Constituent Management Software

· CFRE or fundraising certificate an asset but not required

· Willingness to travel and work extended hours as required (some weekends and evenings)

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.