Associate Director, Major Gifts

Date Posted: 05/23/2025
Req ID: 43059
Faculty/Division: VP - Division of University Advancement
Department: Divisional Relations
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00035797

Description:

About us:

The Division of University Advancement (DUA) aims to sustain and enhance the University of Toronto’s academic mission, leadership, and worldwide impact, by engaging alumni and private sector constituentsmeaningfully in the mission of the University, building mutually beneficial relationships of increasing value and satisfaction over time.

Through our current Defy Gravity campaign, the team supports U of T’s commitment to inclusive excellence – the idea that every member of our community should thrive in an environment of belonging – and helps the University bring together top minds from every conceivable background to create a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable world. In this ecosystem, there is an emphasis on collaboration, diplomacy, teamwork and mission focus as the Division of University Advancement supports our Faculties, Campuses and Divisions as a shared service.

The Division of University Advancement at the University of Toronto is committed to a transformative agenda deeply rooted in the University’s vision for growth and innovation. We are focused on growing fundraising efforts; doubling the number of newly engaged alumni; achieving Advancement goals through the foundational integration of Alumni Relations and Development both centrally and through collaborations with divisional colleagues; creating an organization and culture that fosters diversity and inclusiveness.

Your opportunity:

The Major Gifts team within DUA focuses on securing philanthropic support at the $50,000 to $4 million+ level, working in close partnership with divisional advancement teams and central fundraising priorities. We support customized fundraising strategies that reflect divisional priorities and institutional goals. We are currently seeking an Associate Director, Major Gifts—a skilled and strategic fundraiser—to join our dynamic and collaborative team. We welcome exceptional talent from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about advancing our mission through meaningful donor engagement.

As Associate Director, Major Gifts you will build and proactively manage a portfolio of approximately 75-100 donors and prospects whom you will cultivate and solicit in support of divisional and central priorities. The Associate Director, Major Gifts is responsible for developing strategies to engage the interest and involvement of individuals who directly, or through other sources, are capable of making gifts at this level. This will entail developing customized campaign strategies and individualized strategic approaches to targeted donors, as well as managing projects with either volunteers or divisional staff. The Associate Director, Major Gifts will also ensure proper stewardship takes place following a gift to maintain the donor's involvement, interest and support.

The active involvement of key members of the university community will be essential to the overall success of the role.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Cultivating and soliciting current and prospective major gift donors through tailored stewardship programs
• Meeting face-to-face with current and potential donors to discuss giving interests and opportunities
• Developing and implementing strategic prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and recognition plans
• Determining the appropriate involvement of members of the university community and volunteers in the cultivation, solicitation and recognition process
• Evaluating a prospective donor’s giving capacity and readiness to give
• Identifying, evaluating and recommending the necessary steps to bring the prospect closer to making a major financial commitment to the University
• Providing strategic leadership for new elements of the Division or Faculty’s advancement and fundraising programs and activities
• Managing donor relations

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum (8) Eight years experience in a senior fundraising role, with a proven track record of success in cultivation and solicitation.
• Demonstrated experience to close major gifts at the $50K+ level, including six- and seven-figure commitments. Experience in designing and implementing successful, individualized strategic cultivation and solicitation strategies to targeted donors.
• Experience managing a personal portfolio and moving prospects through the full donor cycle (identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship).
• Experience with planning projects independently that are often large and complex.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with major donor prospects and existing major donors.
• Ability to establish collaborative and productive relationships with the administration and faculty in order to advance interests.
• Ability to make well-informed decisions, demonstrating analytical skills and the ability to consider multiple perspectives.
• Ability to work in a results-driven environment to meet fundraising metrics and goals.
• Strong writing and presentation skills; ability to create and present proposals to donors.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a goal-oriented environment
• Ability to guide team members to achieve fundraising success. Brings a collaborative and solutions-oriented mindset to internal partnerships.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Experience working in a large, complex organization with multiple stakeholders with diverse fundraising priorities an asset.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Achievement oriented
• Articulate
• Diplomatic
• Perceptive
• Persuasive

Closing Date: 06/13/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW 
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 18 -- $114,486. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $146,408. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
Recruiter: Fiona Chan

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.