Associate Director, Strategic Opportunities

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Compensation Range

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Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

The Associate Director, Principal Gifts will support principal and transformational gift strategy by identifying prospects, developing clear and collaborative strategies, developing gift concepts and proposal preparation, establishing gift approval, and ensuring stewardship for principal gift level donors. The position requires sensitivity and diplomacy, strong experience in major gift fundraising and understanding of the high-level relationship-building and strategies involved in securing complex gifts, talent in project management and strong writing skills.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Description Summary

This fundraiser position is responsible for generating strategic prospect contact at the major gift level. The Associate Director is responsible for managing a defined development program at an average $1.5+ million level, or resource development activity at an average $1+ million annually. Responsible for managing a minimum of 75-150 prospects, making 20-25 solicitations and raising a minimum average of $1+ M annually.

The Associate Director works in partnerships with senior management to facilitate maximum private and public sector support; develops and implements comprehensive and complex plans for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gift prospects and donors and develops and manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and meets potential prospects on a one-on one basis. The position will ensure appropriate donor recognition, acknowledgement and stewardship programs are in place and oversees the generation of donor/prospect solicitation materials and correspondence, and will have some administrative responsibilities.

Organizational Status

Reports to: One of: Senior Associate Director, Director/Assistant Dean or Executive Director of Development.

Works with: UBC faculty and staff involved in fundraising including the VP, Development and Alumni Engagement, AVP Development, the President of the University and other senior administrators as appropriate.

Contacts: Donors and outside community groups and organizations.

Supervises: Normally Associate Directors do not have direct supervisory responsibilities, but may mentor junior development staff.

Work Performed

-Works in partnership with senior management to facilitate maximum private and public sector support for the University, with a Faculty/unit specific individual annual dollar goal;
-Develops and manages a portfolio of major gift prospects (75-150) making face-to-face visits (100-200 annually) for the purposes of discovery, cultivation and solicitation strategies for prospects at the major gift level (defined as $50,000 and up). Responsible for coordinating and attending face-to-face prospect/donor meetings, with an expectation to meet annual benchmarks for these meetings;
-Develops and implements a comprehensive plan for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects and donors. Responsible for management of a portfolio of relationships;
-Develops proposals and works with donors to generate gifts for priority projects. Develops and implements strategies for closing major gift solicitations, with an expectation to make solicitations (20-25 annually) at the major gift level;
-Ensures that appropriate donor recognition, acknowledgment and stewardship programs take place;
-Generates donor/prospect solicitation materials and correspondence;
-Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The position is a critical point of contact for donors and university staff in relation to development activities. The Associate Director is expected to make decisions and recommendations impacting a total development goal. Incorrect interpretation or communication of university policy and procedures or lack of tact, diplomacy or sensitivity in dealing with major donors and senior administrators could potentially result in damaged relationships and credibility, leading to the potential loss of these donations.

This position is also critical in advising and ensuring proper interpretation and implementation of academic and fiscal policies for fundraising, senior administrators, and development staff. The Associate Director is responsible for a portfolio of donors and prospects, as well as for an individual goal per annum. If inappropriate advice, incorrect interpretation or improper financial analysis were conveyed to major donors or senior university administrators, millions of dollars could be incorrectly administered or unavailable for disbursement. UBC could be in direct violation of stewardship and trusteeship obligations to donors and for funds received through bequests.

The incumbent participates in decisions concerning the planning, organization and utilization of staff, staff selection and job performance reviews.

Supervision Received

The incumbent works under general direction according to broad objectives.

Works independently with discretion relating to donor negotiations, policy administration and interpretation, and administrative responsibilities. Overall strategic planning on global fund-raising initiatives is executed in consultation with manager.

Supervision Given

Normally Associate Directors do not have direct supervisory responsibilities, but may mentor junior development staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of five years experience, experience in fundraising, alumni relations, advancement experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

University degree in a relevant discipline. A degree in commerce, marketing or economics would be an asset. Thorough knowledge of the university environment and academic structure is preferred. Experience working with a centralized fundraising system an asset. Ability to work independently while exercising good judgement at all times. Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills are required, along with strategic thinking and skills in conflict resolution. Strong conceptual abilities combined with high attention to detail. Ability to work simultaneously on a variety of complex projects with imposed deadlines; ability to formulate strategic plans; effective communication skills, verbal and written; strong interpersonal and negotiation skills required in liaising with major donors, corporate executives and senior university administration; proven ability to work with the University s senior-most donors to advance the University s mission; tact, diplomacy, discretion and sound judgment required. The incumbent should have the ability to plan, coordinate and supervise the work of others, in order to execute a variety of complex projects with imposed deadlines. Computer experience required; MS Windows environment, Microsoft Office preferred.