Advisor, Legacy Giving, VP Development and Alumni

at  The University of Calgary

Description
The Department of Institutional Development within the VP Development and Alumni is currently seeking a Full-time Staff Limited Term Advisor, Legacy Giving for approximately 1 year.
The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university, a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. The university has a burgeoning new strategic direction, Framework for Growth. We are Canada’s most entrepreneurial university in the country’s most enterprising city by ensuring a transdisciplinary focus for our scholarship; deeper partnerships and integration with businesses, governments and purpose organizations in our community; and future-focused program delivery that sees us offer more modes of instruction, modularization and micro-credentials.
The Advancement Office exists for the mutual benefit of the University of Calgary and its stakeholders and coordinates development, alumni relations, communications and community partnerships. The development area in particular is an active, collaborative team that enhances University fundraising efforts in support of designated University priorities.
The position of Advisor, Legacy Giving is an integral part of the Legacy and Major Gifts team. The purpose of the position is to provide logistical support to the Director of Development (DoD) and the Associate Director of Development (A/DoD), Legacy and Major Gifts to enable them to advance strategic fundraising and stewardship priorities. The Legacy and Major Gifts team works within the Development team that is part of the University of Calgary’s Advancement unit.
The Advisor, Legacy Giving reports to the Director of Development, Legacy and Major Gifts, has access to highly sensitive and confidential information and interacts with key external and internal stakeholders including donors, alumni and community leaders. Diplomacy, tact, discretion, conflict resolution and ability to manage fluid expectations, and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines are key skills required by this role.
The position is involved in the planning, development and maintenance of large and complex funding projects within a proactive legacy giving development program, to help achieve the university’s Legacy Giving fundraising and stewardship targets. The position requires communicating and coordinating with stakeholders across campus and with key contacts at external partner organizations.
In collaboration with the Legacy and Major Gifts team, you will assist in the identification, and stewardship of donors to the University of Calgary. You are accountable for managing a portfolio of donors and appropriately stewarding and recognizing these donors.
Maintaining professional relationships and communications with donors, advisors and other campus-based fundraisers is vital to the success of this role and to the university. Adverse relationships will have a negative impact on the institution and the university’s success. In addition, confidentiality related to donations and the development program is critical to the ongoing success for this position. Disclosure of this information would be detrimental to the university.
The Advisor is responsible for coordinating projects requiring confidentiality and sensitivity, and must exercise considerable discrimination, judgement, and independent thought. Ensuring the confidentiality related to the donations and development programs is critical.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Assist the Legacy and Major Gifts team in managing large and complex funding projects that require communicating and coordinating with stakeholders across campus and with key contacts at external partner organizations.
• Lead the project management of complex relationships with a focus on ensuring that next steps are up to date and implemented.
• Work with Legacy and Major Gifts A/DoD to support the Legacy Society (communications, stewardship, events).
• Assist the Legacy and Major Gifts team to organize ongoing learning opportunities internally and externally.
• Create and maintain Legacy stories for communications across the academy.
• Assist in tracking estates and the legal documentation required in consultation with the DoD.
• Manage a pipeline of prospects with a focus on stewardship and deepening relationships.
• Support of Student Awards for terms of reference and stewardship related to Legacy Gifts.
• Manage closed gifts as part of the Legacy and Major Gifts team with a focus on maintaining and stewarding ongoing reporting and communications.
• Work with the stewardship team for ongoing stewardship of student awards within estates.
• Work with Gift Compliance, Legal Office and unit fundraisers to assist in moving estates through to approval.
• Effectively manage resources and practice ethical fundraising in accordance with the University’s mission and values.
• Assist with writing and editing tasks.
• Create and maintain electronic and paper filing with coordinators.
• Support Student Awards’ stewardship and relationship building.
• Assist in the creation of educational sessions, webinars, etc.
• Maintain Legacy Society membership levels within the database.
• Ensure compliance with prospect management procedures and other university policies and procedures.
• Ensure ongoing personal development in fundraising and the post-secondary learning environment.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

• A University degree/diploma is required; preferably in Business, Communications or other related fields.
• A minimum of 3 years directly related business development or fundraising experience.
• Previous experience working within the non-profit sector, a post-secondary educational setting or a large, complex organization is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising is required (experience with gifts $10,000+ an asset) including face to face.
• Project management experience is required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects or priorities simultaneously with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to combine people and resources in a manner that will achieve objectives within established limits.
• Ability to handle ambiguity and work effectively in a large, complex, dynamic and sophisticated organization.
• High problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) and active listening skills.
• Ability to produce compelling communication tools, including donor proposals, program marketing, obituary scans, and stewardship.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as required.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Sound judgement and decision-making capabilities.
• Innovative.
• Demonstrated respect for confidentiality and strong sense of professional ethics.
• Knowledge of Blackbaud CRM software an asset.
• Knowledge of legal documents pertaining to estate administration is an asset.
  Application Deadline: February 26, 2025.
  We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
  This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist / Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.
  For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

• Assist the Legacy and Major Gifts team in managing large and complex funding projects that require communicating and coordinating with stakeholders across campus and with key contacts at external partner organizations.
• Lead the project management of complex relationships with a focus on ensuring that next steps are up to date and implemented.
• Work with Legacy and Major Gifts A/DoD to support the Legacy Society (communications, stewardship, events).
• Assist the Legacy and Major Gifts team to organize ongoing learning opportunities internally and externally.
• Create and maintain Legacy stories for communications across the academy.
• Assist in tracking estates and the legal documentation required in consultation with the DoD.
• Manage a pipeline of prospects with a focus on stewardship and deepening relationships.
• Support of Student Awards for terms of reference and stewardship related to Legacy Gifts.
• Manage closed gifts as part of the Legacy and Major Gifts team with a focus on maintaining and stewarding ongoing reporting and communications.
• Work with the stewardship team for ongoing stewardship of student awards within estates.
• Work with Gift Compliance, Legal Office and unit fundraisers to assist in moving estates through to approval.
• Effectively manage resources and practice ethical fundraising in accordance with the University’s mission and values.
• Assist with writing and editing tasks.
• Create and maintain electronic and paper filing with coordinators.
• Support Student Awards’ stewardship and relationship building.
• Assist in the creation of educational sessions, webinars, etc.
• Maintain Legacy Society membership levels within the database.
• Ensure compliance with prospect management procedures and other university policies and procedures.
• Ensure ongoing personal development in fundraising and the post-secondary learning environment