Classification & Regular Hours
Hours per Week: 35
Salary Grade 16: $73,520 - $90,000, salary commensurate with experience.
Please note, this is a 3-year temporary full-time contract opportunity with benefits. There are multiple vacancies available.
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 Western 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.
About the Opportunities
This is an exciting time to join the Western Advancement Team. We are in a period of growth, currently searching for 10 new Senior Development Officers to join our team.
Two of these roles will support University-Wide fundraising, and two roles will be based in Toronto to best serve donors in the GTA. The remaining roles are more focused on supporting development specifically for Western’s Research Institutes; Entrepreneurship; the Faculty of Engineering; and Advancement overall.
You can learn more about these positions by
downloading our candidate pack for the Senior Development Officer role from our website. And please note that you are encouraged to apply for multiple roles if you feel your background and experience align.
Responsibilities
The Senior Development Officer (SDO) is a key position in the department of Development and plays a pivotal role in helping the University meet and exceed funding priorities and goals. The SDO is responsible for the full scope of development activities within their portfolio relating to the discovery, cultivation, solicitation, recognition and stewardship of a portfolio of prospects and donors. The role will design, develop, implement, evaluate and manage effective, innovative and transformational fundraising strategies supporting the goals of Western.
The activities of the role match the University’s engagement objectives and financial needs with the highest philanthropic aspirations of donors. The SDO will develop meaningful relationships and strengthen loyalties with individuals and organizations who have a passion for higher education and research.
Qualifications
Education:
- University Degree
- Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) accreditation is preferred
Experience:
- 5 years’ experience securing six and seven-figure financial agreements within the private sector or similar levels of major gifts in the charitable sector
- Demonstrated record of donor strategy development, implementation and evaluation
- Experience successfully managing multiple projects from conception to completion within tight prescribed deadlines
- Demonstrated experience in compiling cases for support
- Experience fundraising with a university or other complex non-profit environment preferred
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Demonstrated success in confirming major and principal gifts preferably in an academic setting
- Demonstrated oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on proposal development and presentations to internal and external contacts
- A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution and interpersonal skills
- Flexible, resourceful, creative and proactive work style with a can-do, enthusiastic attitude
- Influential interpersonal skills that build positive and strong relationships at all levels of the organization
Applying at Western
Please submit a copy of your resume and a cover letter highlighting your suitability for the position by visiting
https://recruit.uwo.ca, referencing job #38649.
We ask that all applicants please indicate which role(s) they are interested in.
Interview Information:
- The deadline for applications is midnight on Saturday, May 24, 2025
- First-round interviews are scheduled to take place at Western University the week of June 9, 2025
- Second-round interviews will be tentatively held the week of July 7, 2025
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 or phone 519-661-2194.
Please Note:
To learn more about the Senior Development Officer position, please review our candidate pack.
If you would like to have a discussion about this position, please contact Maggie Pareti (Talent Consultant) at
ua.humanresources@uwo.ca.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.