Senior Development Officer (2 vacancies - Continuing and Term)

Date Posted: 01/14/2026
Req ID: 46621
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Office of Advancement
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00033203

Description:

About us:

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the academic heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. Home to the humanities, sciences, and social sciences, Arts & Science spans 29 departments, seven colleges, and more than 45 interdisciplinary centres, institutes, and programs. Our teaching and research excellence drive discovery, innovation, and impact locally and globally.

We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging, collaboration, and curiosity. The diversity of perspectives within Arts & Science reflects the communities we serve and the global landscape in which we operate. Our success depends on the talent, creativity, and dedication of our staff and faculty, working together to advance the University of Toronto’s mission.

The Advancement team at the Faculty of Arts & Science plays a critical role in supporting the Faculty’s strategic priorities by generating private philanthropic support. Through meaningful engagement with alumni, donors, and volunteers across more than 190 countries, we build enduring relationships that enable excellence in teaching, research, and student experience.

Your opportunity:

We are seeking a Senior Development Officer (SDO), Major Gifts to join the Faculty of Arts & Science Advancement team. Reporting to the Associate Director of Development, you will be part of a high-performing, collegial, and collaborative group of advancement professionals working closely with Alumni Relations, Stewardship, Communications, and Advancement Services colleagues.

As a frontline fundraiser, you will proactively build and manage a portfolio of prospective and current donors capable of making major gifts at the $50,000 to $4M+ level. You will develop and execute tailored strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors in support of Faculty and University priorities. This role requires a strategic, relationship-focused fundraiser who thrives in a complex, decentralized environment and values collaboration, diplomacy, and mission focus.

You will work closely with faculty leaders, senior administrators, volunteers, and colleagues across the University to deepen donor engagement and secure philanthropic investments that advance Arts & Science priorities. The successful candidate will be motivated, proactive, and committed to inclusive excellence.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assessing needs and proactively contributing to the development and implementation of plans for major gift prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
• Meeting face-to-face with current and prospective donors to discuss philanthropic interests and align giving opportunities with Faculty priorities
• Identifying, evaluating donor readiness and capacity, and recommending the necessary steps to bring the prospect closer to making a major financial commitment to the University
• Conducting advanced research and analysis from a variety of sources to provide detailed background data on donors
• Developing and implementing tailored fundraising initiatives that support Faculty and University strategic priorities
• Writing high-quality briefing materials, solicitation strategies, proposals, donor reports, call reports and correspondence
• Conducting advanced research and analysisto inform donor strategies and strengthen the prospect pipeline; Verifying activities, outcomes and progress towards goals are accurately tracked using CRM and database systems
• Determining the appropriate involvement of members of the university community and volunteers in the cultivation, solicitation and recognition process, to ensure meaningful donor recognition, engagement, and long-term relationship building

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressive experience in a frontline fundraising role, with a demonstrated record of success in major gift fundraising, or equivalent relationship-driven professional experience (e.g., outside sales)
• Proven experience identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors, ideally at the $50,000+ level
• Demonstrated ability to manage a portfolio of active prospects and advance relationships from identification through stewardship
• Ability to build credibility and effective partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including alumni, donors, volunteers, faculty members, and senior leaders
• Demonstrated commitmentto equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and experience working effectively in diverse environments
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship management skills, with the ability to persuasively articulate a compelling case for philanthropic support
• Excellent writing skills, including experience preparing proposals, briefing notes, solicitation strategies, and donor communications
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment
• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, diplomacy, and creative problem-solving skills
• Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and CRM/database systems
• Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while also operating independently and proactively

Assets (Nonessential):

• Experience fundraising in a post-secondary or large, complex organization
• Experience working with senior-level volunteers and academic leaders
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel within the Greater Toronto Area and occasionally beyond, as required

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Achievement oriented
• Diplomatic
• Organized
• Persuasive
• Proactive
• Resourceful

Note: This posting is for two vacancies, one continuing position (# 33203) and one term position (# 58696) ending July 2027

Closing Date: 02/04/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 15 -- $97,348. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $124,491. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
Recruiter: Carolyn Wright

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.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.