Date:	January, 2015
Reports to (Job Title):	Director of Major Gifts
Jobs Reporting (Job Titles):	None
Department:	Office of Development
Location:	Main Campus
Grade:	USG 10/11 35 hr/wk

Primary Purpose

The Senior Development Officer (SDO), Athletics and Recreation plays a critical role in developing and stewarding University of Waterloo relationships; in securing private sector gifts; in advancing fundraising strategies and programs; and in managing/orientating senior volunteers. The Senior Development Officer will work closely with Sr. leaders, staff, coaches, faculty members, alumni and volunteers to plan, coordinate, manage, implement, and evaluate fundraising projects for the Department of Athletics and Recreation.

Under the direction of the Director of Major Gifts and with strategic guidance provided by the Director of Athletics and Recreation the SDO works closely with academic and administrative leaders and volunteers to identify and qualify prospects and to strategically engage, cultivate and solicit financial support for university priorities which align with donor interests. The incumbent develops strategies to promote ongoing and/or increased giving; this includes personally soliciting gifts, sponsorship and funding independently, and in concert with University Executives, volunteers, faculty and staff, appropriate to donor interests and university policy. The SDO will actively use planned giving, donor relations and stewardship, annual and leadership giving, and information based systems to advance the University.

Key Accountabilities:

1. Portfolio Management

Develop and maintain a portfolio of major gift prospects and oversee all aspect of each prospect’s relationship and timely movement through the relationship management cycle, with a focus on moving to a leadership or major gift solicitation
Maintain a portfolio of 80-120 major gift prospects assessed as having the ability, or potential, to make gifts over $100,000, including pledged gifts over finite campaign periods.
Conduct 50-80 face-to-face visits per year with the goal of presenting two monthly proposals and closing eight major gifts and two planned gifts per year.
Initiate contacts with potential donors; develops appropriate cultivation strategies including working with senior university administration (Vice President, Advancement, AVP, Development), Athletics and Recreations Leadership, (Director, Associate Directors, Coaches) Faculty leadership (Deans, Associate Deans, Chairs and Directors) and volunteers to maximize their opportunities to support the University through philanthropic giving; make solicitations when appropriate; and maintain stewardship contacts with donors.
Serves as liaison from Athletics and Recreation to the Stewardship team. This will include stewarding of donors and management of endowments
Responsible for sponsorships to Athletics and Recreation

2. Prospect Management

Ensure relationships with prospects and donors are managed and recorded in accordance with Office of Advancement systems
Ensure detailed notes are recorded for the prospect tracking and clearance systems, and prepare regular progress reporting on fundraising targets through standardized reporting tools.
Complete follow-up correspondence, briefings and updates to prospects, donors and internal stakeholders.
Post activities and outcomes to central filing systems and shared directories.
Liaison with Advancement Services to ensure key information is up to date for alumni, donors and student

3. Fundraising

Under the direction of the Director of Major Gifts, develop and implement an annual fundraising plan including foundational programs, annual giving, leadership, planned and major gifts
Develop case for support and facilitate priority setting process in the Department
Initiate, lead, direct and manage fundraising programs designed to obtain maximum financial support from a wide range of potential donors
Develop and implement cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for corporate, foundation and individual donors
Participate in prospect identification, review, research, management and clearance for the University and identify opportunities to leverage and partner with colleagues, in the Faculties and Schools, as well as other intra-institutional programs and partners’ priorities
Direct proactive research on individuals identified as having significant donor potential
Direct prospects and donors to other Faculties and central functional areas of Annual and Planned Giving as appropriate to their inclination and capacity
Create and direct the development of cultivation and solicitation plans and gift proposals for specific projects, including written proposals, gift agreements, oral presentations, volunteer management and ultimately steward gifts received through donor recognition activities
Organize and train volunteers to assist and promote the University in all aspects of the advancement program including fundraising, alumni relations, co-op activities, government relations and communications
Promote the university through public presentations and personal contact

4. Communications and Coordination

Develop fundraising communications plan and tools
Provide input into the university’s fundraising plans and activities and priority projects
Ensure purposeful team communication and coordination with key participants including colleagues
Proactively and consistently communicates with the members of the various advancement teams on campus, to include interaction and communication with academic and administrative leaders (i.e. Deans, Provost, VPs)
Participate in activities to develop and share new ideas that will result in better work practices and collective, team based success to achieve increased fundraising results

5. Project Management

Coordinate the integration of fundraising and alumni activities within the department of Athletics and RecreationResponsible for planning, management and implementation of special projects and fundraising projects as assigned
Through the Director of Major Gifts, identify work priorities and objectives for professional staff linked in the Development Team (Development Assistant, co-op students)Develops and maintains a good working knowledge of the University’s activities, priorities and needs in both teaching and research
Has a thorough working knowledge of the University’s priority projects related to the current Strategic Plan

6. Other

Actively participate in professional development opportunities to maximize performance and career progression potential
Mentor departmental colleagues in their career progression
Acts as Athletics & Recreation liaison with Alumni Relations team for communication and engagement opportunities that can be utilized to cultivate and identify donors for the pipeline
Sits as a member of the Alumni Professionals group and is the liaison between Athletics and Recreation and Alumni Relations

Position Requirements

Education:

Completion of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education or experience
CFRE or fundraising certificate a strong asset

Experience:

Several years of fundraising experience with extensive experience in personally securing major gifts. Demonstrated success in soliciting and closing major gifts as well as volunteer management experience. Experience fundraising in a university environment is a strong asset. Proven ability to think strategically and work independently in driving new initiatives or enhancing existing programs and able to effectively articulate these initiatives. This is a challenging and exciting role that requires a results-oriented and creative individual with demonstrated relationship building skills, project management experience and communications expertise. A keen awareness and knowledge of relevant individuals in the corporate sector and community and an established network is an asset. Excellent time management skills and demonstrated ability to meet competing deadlines in an organized manner. Must have strong leadership, communication (oral and written), presentation, and interpersonal skills; supervisory and mentoring experience is beneficial. Proven ability to work collaboratively in a high functioning team within a dynamic environment. Occasional travel as well as evening and week-end work is a requirement of this position.

Technical:

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Other

Intermediate

Basic

Other (preferred) –Constituent Management Software or similar software

Basic (Raiser’s Edge familiarity is an asset)

Nature and Scope

Interpersonal Skills:

The incumbent works with Office of Advancement teams, faculties, schools, institutions, Federated University and Affiliated Colleges.

Significant Internal Relationships:

Athletics and Recreation
Director, Athletics and Recreation
Associate Director, Campus Recreation and Business Development
Manager, Marketing/Promotions and Athletic Alumni Development
Marketing and Events Coordinator
Associate Vice-President, Campaign Strategy and Implementation
Associate Vice-President, Development
Associate Vice-President, Principal Gifts
Associate Vice-President, Advancement Services
Development Team
Advancement Services Team
Alumni Affairs Team
Principal Gifts Team
Faculty Advancement Teams
Federated University and Affiliated Colleges Advancement Teams
University Relations Office and Staff
Student Awards and Financial Aid Office
Cooperative Education
Centre for Career Action
Office of Research

Significant External Relationships:

University of Waterloo Alumni
Donors and Friends of the University
University of Waterloo Volunteers
University of Waterloo Research Partners
External community representatives
Athletics sponsors

Level of Responsibility:

This position has specialized work with minimal supervision, acts in collaboration with Advancement staff across many units, and may provide guidance to others. Represents the Office of Advancement to internal stakeholders (faculty and staff) and represents the University of Waterloo to external stakeholders.

Decision-Making Authority:

Independently makes decisions about prospect strategies, location and event strategies for engagement, working collaboratively with Advancement team members.

Physical and Sensory Demands:

Minimal demands typical of a senior administrative position operating within an office environment. Anticipate some travel within Ontario and possible travel in North America.

Working Environment:

Minimal exposure to disagreeable conditions; deadline pressures with demand for thoroughness and accuracy typical of program administration responsibilities.

Senior Development Officer, Athletics & Recreation