Director of Development, Faculty of Science

at  Western University

ABOUT US

The University Advancement division plays a leading role in strengthening awareness of and support for the University’s mission and goals by leading alumni relations and fundraising efforts across campus and beyond. All departments within the Division build enduring alumni and public trust through understanding and support for Western University in a coordinated campus-wide effort that results in the engagement and funding needed to make an impact. There are 3 departments within the Division – Departments of Development, Alumni Relations and Advancement Operations.
The Faculty of Science at Western University is proud of our inspiring educators, creative researchers, brilliant scientists-in-training, exceptional alumni and dedicated staff. We make fundamental discoveries and collaborate with world-leading partners in areas ranging from materials science to meteor physics to animal behaviour to financial modelling, driving innovation for over a hundred years. We train Canada’s next generation of scientific leaders in foundational knowledge, professional skills, and unique interdisciplinary programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• University degree; Honours Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications or Public Relations is preferred
• Accreditation through Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation would be an asset

Experience:

• 8 years’ experience securing six and seven-figure financial agreements within the private sector or similar levels of major gifts in the charitable sector
• Demonstrated experience leading a team towards revenue targets
• Experience leading a fundraising, or revenue generating, portfolio towards multi-million dollar targets
• Experience with donor strategy development, implementation and evaluation
• Experience successfully managing multiple projects from conception to completion within tight prescribed deadlines
• Experience fundraising with a university or other complex non-profit environment preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to effectively collaborate in the achievement of a fundraising or revenue- generating campaign and realize targets, preferably in an academic setting
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on proposal development and presentation to internal and external contacts
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects at once from conception to completion with tightly prescribed timelines
• Ability to establish and build healthy working relations and partnerships with clients, peers and external stakeholders
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage activities both for self and others effectively
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution and people management skills
• Flexible, resourceful, creative and pro-active work style with a can-do, enthusiastic attitude
• Emotional Intelligence (to ensure own work-life balance and good collegial relationships are maintained)
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning and professional development to stay informed about fundraising initiatives and the unit’s missions and objectives
• Results-oriented with an ability to handle many tasks and maintain a high level of individual and team performance
• Flexibility to work outside of regular business hours and travel frequently
• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office and a client/donor relations management software

The Director of Development, Faculty of Science plays a key role on the Development Team. The Director will lead and participate in the full scope of development activities, relating to the discovery, cultivation, solicitation, recognition and stewardship of a portfolio of prospects and donors to the university. The role will design, develop, implement, evaluate and manage effective, innovative and transformational fundraising strategies which support the goals of the Faculty and the Faculties and Divisions team. The role will manage and develop professionals working across alumni relations and development, and actively participate in raising philanthropic support for Western’s Faculty of Science in cooperation with and, where appropriate, for other Western units. They will ensure efforts are focused and coordinated to meet the deliverables of fundraising priorities and that progress is continual towards meeting multi-year goals.
The role will be responsible for significantly increasing and diversifying revenue to the university and will design, develop, implement, evaluate and manage fundraising strategies as part of an overall development process which matches the Faculty’s and the University’s objectives and financial needs with the highest philanthropic aspirations of donors who have the capacity to make significant gifts. The Director of Development reports jointly to the Executive Director, Development (Faculties & Divisions) and the Dean, Faculty of Science, and interacts and works closely with faculty and administrative offices to develop and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies to support their programs.