(Senior) Development Officer

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Job Requisition ID:

2026-03530

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Group:

Staff

Job Category:

Advancement and Alumni Engagement

Employment Type:

Temporary

Department:

Faculty of Engineering - Dean of Engineering Office - Development

Hiring Range:

$73,695.42 - $92,119.28

• Posting Information:
• This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Term: 2 years

This position is being offered as a Secondment or contract opportunity.

The internal posting deadline for this position is November 12, 2026, at 11:59PM

This is a Career Path position. The final level will be determined based on demonstrated skills and experience.

Anticipated hiring ranges:

• •USG 9: $73,695 – $92,119
• •USG 10: $80,248 – $100,310

USG 11: $87,620 – $109,525

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

Accountable to the Director, Development, and working in cooperation with Engineering’s Development and Alumni Affairs team, the Senior/Development Officer will be responsible for the corporate and individual fundraising of gifts within the Faculty of Engineering. Primary responsibilities, carried out as a member of the Development team and as a member of the Faculty of Engineering will include identification, evaluation, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of corporate, foundation and individual donors for the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering, and interdisciplinary priority projects.

Key Accountabilities

Portfolio & Prospect Management

Develops and maintains a good working knowledge of the faculty, and the University of Waterloo’s activities, priorities and needs in both teaching and research

Has a thorough working knowledge of the Faculty of Engineering’s fundraising priorities and University of Waterloo’s priority projects and progress

Using this knowledge, and in consultation with the Associate Director, coordinates fundraising strategies for the corporate, foundation, and individual sectors, including cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects

Actively seeks out new prospects for the faculty and coordinates prospect identification and research activities

Has knowledge of giving vehicles and non-complex gifts, refers planned giving

Communications & Coordination

Creates fundraising materials suitable for presentation to prospective contributors by soliciting technical content from faculty members and working with the Sr. Communications Officer, Office of Advancement, Creative Services, and University Relations as required

Develops proposals for projects tailored to the specific interests of corporations, foundations, individuals and associations in conjunction with the faculty

Maintains/updates the database by ensuring that meeting notes are recorded and significant moves are tracked in the system

Gives direction and advice to student fundraising initiatives (including sponsorship) within the Faculty

Coordinates special projects and campaigns as assigned

Provides functional direction to administrative staff involved in these activities, where applicable

Relationship Management

Establishes and maintains relationships with the corporate sector (donations officer, senior officers, etc.), including calls on companies, arranging site visits to campus, special events, announcements, information exchanges

Recruits, trains and manages volunteer teams as assigned

Supports the work of the Senior Alumni Officer in coordinating communications and building relationships with students, young alumni and graduates

Supports the work of the Donor Relations Officer in coordinating communications and maintaining relationships with donors

Required Qualifications

Education

University degree or equivalent education or experience

Experience

USG 9: 0-2 years of progressive fundraising experience

USG 10: 3-5 years of progressive major gift fundraising experience

USG 11: 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience in securing major gifts and volunteer recruitment and management and experience with the full scope of development activities including discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, recognition and stewardship at the major gift level. Successful track record of developing and implementing strategies for major gift solicitations with demonstrated success in personally securing and closing major gifts

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Understanding and appreciation of the key role of a university education and in particular Engineering, and the crucial importance of attracting and retaining the very best talent available (students, faculty, staff)

Understanding of the university environment including the integration of research and teaching

Knowledge of giving vehicles and non-complex gifts

Proven competence in project management, multi-tasking, planning, analytical and organizational skills

Excellent communication, interpersonal, oral and writing skills including the expertise to create promotional materials and proposals

Political acumen and problem solving skills are required

Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently and effectively as part of a team with a broad mandate in a fast-paced, highly computerized and challenging environment

Knowledge and excellence in working with fundraising software is considered an asset

Demonstrated relationship building skills, excellent time management and proven ability to meet competing deadlines in an organized manner

Must have strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills

Computer literacy and working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Constituent Management Software

CFRE or fundraising certificate an asset but not required

Willingness to travel and work extended hours as required (some weekends and evenings)

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.