Reporting to the Director, Advancement, the Advancement Officer, Major Gifts is a senior fundraising professional and primary relationship manager for Vancouver Island University (VIU) and the VIU Foundation. The Advancement Officer develops, manages, and advances strategic relationships with individuals, corporations, foundations, community organizations, and industry partners to secure philanthropic support for institutional priorities.
The Advancement Officer manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, develops and implements comprehensive fundraising strategies, identifies and pursues new funding opportunities, and negotiates and facilitates complex gift agreements. The position exercises considerable independent judgment and represents the university in building relationships that support scholarships, awards, bursaries, capital projects, academic initiatives, and other strategic priorities.
As a trusted advisor and resource across the institution, the Advancement Officer collaborates with academic and administrative leaders to identify funding priorities, develop proposals, and align philanthropic opportunities with the University's Strategic Plan and advancement goals.
Department
External Relations
Campus
Nanaimo campus *Successful candidates must be able to attend in person on campus as required.
Location
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Appointment Type
regular full-time
Workload
35 hours per week
Pay Level
CUPE 14: $40.76 per hour
Start:
As soon as possible.
Applicant Documents
CV/Resume, Cover Letter, Name and contact information of recent supervisors willing to provide a reference
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising and Donor Development
- Manage and strategically grow a portfolio of approximately 75-125 donors and prospects, focusing on major gifts and philanthropic investments of $10,000 and above.
- Develop and implement customized cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and engagement strategies for assigned donors and prospects.
- Identify, qualify, and research new donor prospects, including individuals, corporations, foundations, and community organizations through Prospect Management process
- Build and maintain productive relationships through face-to-face, virtual, telephone, and written communication.
- Lead donor solicitations and negotiate philanthropic commitments that support institutional priorities.
- Represent VIU and the VIU Foundation at meetings, events, presentations, and community engagements.
- Work collaboratively with Advancement Services department as part of the Prospect Management Committee.
Strategy and Proposal Development
- Collaborate with university leadership, faculty, and staff to identify funding priorities and develop fundraising opportunities.
- Lead the development of compelling, customized proposals, cases for support, and donor presentations.
- Research donor interests and develop innovative solutions that align donor objectives with university priorities.
- Exercise sound judgment to address complex and unique donor situations while balancing competing institutional needs.
Stewardship and Gift Administration
- Support the development and implementation of stewardship plans that encourage ongoing donor engagement and support in partnership with the Stewardship department
- Collaborate with Stewardship department and university partners to ensure timely and effective donor recognition, reporting, and stewardship in support of stewardship department
- Develop gift agreements, terms of reference, and supporting documentation for donor-funded initiatives.
- Establish scholarship, award, and bursary criteria in consultation with donors, Financial Aid & Awards, faculties, and departments.
- Ensure all donor interactions and activities are accurately documented within Raiser's Edge and other required systems.
Professional Accountability
- Maintain knowledge of current trends, regulations, and best practices in charitable giving, philanthropy, and higher education advancement.
- Uphold the highest standards of ethics, confidentiality, professionalism, and donor-centered service.
- Conduct all activities in accordance with the Donor Bill of Rights, university policies, and applicable legislation.
- Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance fundraising effectiveness and organizational impact.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and a minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, advancement, philanthropy, business development, relationship management, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, securing, and stewarding major gifts
- Experience developing and presenting proposals, or, funding requests.
- Proven ability to build strong relationships
- Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, discretion, and diplomacy in complex situations.
- Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
- Experience managing confidential information.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience using donor, client, customer relationship management (CRM), or relational database systems.
- Valid Class 5 Driver's License and ability to travel as required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- CFRE designation or progress toward professional fundraising certification.
- Direct experience using Raiser's Edge NXT or comparable fundraising software.
- Experience in post-secondary education, healthcare, or a complex not-for-profit environment.
- Knowledge of Vancouver Island University, its communities, and its strategic priorities.
- Experience participating in comprehensive fundraising campaigns and major gift fundraising initiatives.
Working Conditions
- Frequent meetings with donors, community leaders, university personnel, and external partners.
- Regular travel within the region and occasional travel outside the region.
- Some evening and weekend work required to support donor cultivation, stewardship, and university events.
- Significant responsibility for representing the university and advancing donor relationships with potential long-term financial impact.
VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.
Note:
- Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.
- All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
- Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students. In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences. We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter. When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity. Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.
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