Development Manager, University Wide

General Purpose

Alumni Affairs & Development (AA&D)’s purpose is to maximize philanthropic support for the University of Guelph’s mission of creating unique solutions for the challenges facing our world. We achieve this purpose by building the kind of deep and sustained relationships with our donors, alumni and friends that increases awareness of, engagement with, and investment in the University of Guelph’s work. As a member of this campus-wide team, the Development Manager, University Wide, epitomizes the department’s shared values of respect, empowerment, integrity, appreciation and forward focus. 

The University of Guelph is currently planning to launch its first fundraising campaign since 2014. The campaign aims to expand on the University’s recent fundraising growth so that AA&D becomes a team that consistently raises $75M a year by 2030 (a record $55M was raised in FY24/25). By aligning donor passions with the university's ambitious goals, the campaign will boost revenue, elevate the university's global profile, deepen donor relationships, and create a highly developed culture of philanthropy across the University community. Institutional leaders and volunteers will be highly engaged in advocating for the university's global impact and the vital role of philanthropy in achieving this vision.  

The Alumni and Annual Giving business unit is responsible for engagement and raising financial support annually for identified University priorities from key constituencies. The goal is to raise a minimum of $5M annually from gifts below $25,000 and engage alumni and friends in the mission of the institution through a variety of programs and volunteerism. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Reporting to the Associate Director, Annual Giving, the Development Manager (DM) is responsible for broad-based fundraising with a focus on securing new, renewed, and upgraded annual fund gifts under $25,000 from alumni and friends. As the DM, you will manage a portfolio of prospects, informed by data-driven segmentation and analytics, and implement strategies that improve conversion and retention. You will conduct personalized outreach via email, phone, video message, and meetings to cultivate relationships and solicit gifts. Key accountabilities include diligent documentation of interactions in AA&D’s CRM and identifying donors for relationship managers for future major or planned giving opportunities. Ongoing and regular collaboration with internal colleagues ensures alignment with institutional priorities and advancing donors through the pipeline. You will also be involved in special projects that help to advance the strategic priorities of Annual Giving, such as the exploration of digital fundraising tools that drive innovation and support effective donor journeys. You will stay informed about trends in annual and leadership giving across Canadian and U.S. institutions, identifying opportunities to apply innovative practices at the University of Guelph and maintain a working knowledge of relevant tax laws and CRA guidelines. 

This role involves: 

• Raising a high volume of annual gifts through broad-based fundraising and batch assignments.

• Supporting pipeline development for future major and planned gifts by actively identifying and sharing prospects with unit-based relationship managers.

• Aligning donor interests with University-wide and unit-specific priorities. 

• Supporting special projects, including the development of automated or scalable methods that generate a high number of donor contacts and gifts.   

Qualifications 

We recognize that no candidate will meet every qualification listed below. If you bring relevant experience and a passion for philanthropy, we encourage you to apply. 

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in fundraising, preferably in a university or public sector setting.

• Undergraduate degree. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

• Demonstrated success in securing philanthropic gifts.  

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships.  

• Ability to manage multiple projects and donor relationships simultaneously. 

• Collaborative mindset and comfort working across teams and departments. 

• Familiarity with donor databases and Microsoft Office tools.  

• Ability to analyze data and make strategic recommendations.  

• Experience in program development, strategic planning, and marketing.  

• Understanding of the University of Guelph’s structure and programs is an asset.  

• Ability to represent diverse university departments and audiences effectively.  

Please include a cover letter along with your resume in your application.  

Why choose the University of Guelph 

• Comprehensive Extended Health Care Benefits: Immediate enrollment in extended health to cover yourself and your family 

• Time off: Strong vacation allocation, floater days, and paid time off during the December closure to ensure that you are at your best 

• Wellness: In addition to extensive wellness programming, the University offers a yearly flexible spending credit that can be allocated to any of the following: Health Spending, Wellness or Professional Development 

• Learning & Development: Learning and development curriculum and other professional growth opportunities 

• On-campus Activities: Discounts on food and apparel, fitness programming, access to networking events and team building opportunities 

• Improve Life: Work that directly impacts a brighter future by turning knowledge into action 

The university provides a flexible work arrangement. This position is required to be fulfilled both remotely and on-campus (Guelph Campus)