Senior Advancement Officer, Donor Relations, Faculty of Medicine

Job Summary

The Senior Advancement Officer, Donor Relations is responsible for shaping and advancing donor relations strategy through impactful, donor-centric initiatives that strengthen major gift fundraising. The role leads the development, implementation, and ongoing management of specific programs that support donor acknowledgement, recognition, stewardship, and engagement to strengthen relationships and enhance the overall donor experience.

Working closely with Development colleagues, faculty leadership, and internal partners, the position provides strategic leadership and guidance for donor relations practices supporting major and principal gift donors.

Organizational Status

Reporting to one of the Manager of Development, Director of Development, Senior Director Development, Assistant Dean, or Executive Director, and working closely with UBC faculty and staff involved in fundraising, operations, finance and administration. In addition, is responsible for developing strong working relationships with strategic partners, donors, outside community groups and organizations as required

Work Performed

• Works collaboratively with Faculty of Medicine leadership, Development , Strategic Initiatives, and other internal partners to advance integrated donor relations and engagement initiatives that strengthen philanthropic relationships and support Faculty priorities

• Develops and implements donor acknowledgement, recognition, stewardship, and engagement approaches and tools aligned with donor intent, institutional priorities, and advancement objectives

• Collaborates with Development colleagues and faculty leadership to advance coordinated donor engagement strategies, donor relations planning, and donor-facing activities

• Works closely with fundraising team to provide strategic guidance and subject matter expertise on donor experience, donor relations practices, recognition, and engagement approaches for key donor accounts and initiatives

• Develops and implements multi-year engagement and donor relations plans for key donor relationships, particularly $1M+ donor accounts

• Develops and implements processes, tools, frameworks, and best practices to support consistent, high-quality donor relations program delivery across the Faculty

• Ensures donor relations insights, engagement history, and stewardship plans are appropriately captured and shared to support continuity, coordinated planning, and informed donor engagement

• Assesses and evaluates donor relations activities to support continuous improvement, strategic planning, and advancement outcomes

Key Responsibilities

• Donor Relations Strategy & Leadership

o Leads the execution, implementation, and evaluation of major gift donor relations strategies, including long-term, scalable, curated approaches to donor engagement, acknowledgement, recognition, and stewardship

o Partners with fundraising team to shape stewardship strategies for major and principal gift donors, ensuring coordinated, donor-centric approaches that strengthen long-term philanthropic relationships

o Integrates donor relations strategy within the broader Faculty and UBC priorities and objectives

• Stewardship & Donor Engagement Oversight

o Oversees the planning and delivery of stewardship activities for major and principal gift donors, ensuring timely, meaningful, and personalized engagement

o Establishes and manages stewardship and recognition frameworks aligned with donor intent, institutional standards, and strategic priorities

o Ensures quality and effectiveness in donor-facing activities across the Faculty

o Leads the development of donor engagement approaches that strengthen long-term relationships and support donor retention and renewal

• Advisory Support & Partnership

o Partners with fundraisers, Development colleagues, and faculty leadership to inform, guide, and strengthen the implementation of donor engagement strategies

o Works with DAE Donor Relations to ensure alignment with DAE initiatives

o Serves as a subject matter expert on donor relations, providing guidance on stewardship practices, donor experience, acknowledgment, and recognition to colleagues across the Faculty

o Acts as a strategic partner to frontline fundraising teams by strengthening stewardship and engagement approaches that support broader fundraising and relationship management objectives

• Program Development & Management

o Leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of donor relations programs and multi-year engagement strategies focused on key donor segments, particularly $1M+ donor accounts

o Establishes and manages processes and tools to support consistent, high-quality program delivery and alignment with Faculty priorities

o Develops and implements donor relations standards, processes, and best practices to support a coordinated and strategic approach to donor engagement

• Cross-functional Leadership & Coordination

o Leads cross-functional collaboration with Development, Strategic Initiatives, Advancement Operations, Alumni, and other internal partners to align priorities and support the effective delivery of donor engagement initiatives

o Facilitates integrated planning, messaging, and execution of key donor-facing activities across the Faculty

• Reporting and Communications

o Provides strategic input into donor impact reporting, stewardship communications, briefing materials and recognition planning to ensure alignment with donor relations strategy, donor intent, and Faculty priorities

o Tracks and analyzes donor relations activities and outcomes to inform planning, support decision-making, and demonstrate the impact of donor engagement efforts

o Performs other related duties as required

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The incumbent leads and coordinates many of the Faculty of Medicine’s most visible donor-facing engagement and donor relations activities. Errors in judgment, communication, coordination, or donor relations execution could negatively impact donor confidence, long-term philanthropic relationships, institutional reputation, and future giving opportunities.

The incumbent works with highly engaged major and principal gift donors, including individuals with significant philanthropic capacity and influence. Poor judgment, inconsistent donor relations practices, inaccurate communications, or failure to appropriately manage donor expectations and recognition activities could have significant financial and reputational consequences for the Faculty and University.

Supervision Received

The incumbent works under general direction according to broad objectives. Works independently with discretion relating to donor negotiations, policy administration and interpretation, and administrative responsibilities.

Supervision Given

May supervise Development Coordinators and support staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience: University degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• 5-7 years of progressive experience in donor relations, advancement, stewardship, or communications

• Comprehensive understanding of fundraising principles, best practices, and donor engagement strategies

• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing donor engagement, stewardship, or donor relations strategies

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders within a complex organizational environment

• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage a range of audiences

• Proven ability to lead, influence, and guide initiatives and teams to achieve ambitious goals

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a complex organizational structure

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and develop actionable insights

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM databases (e.g., LINKS), with experience using project management tools or systems preferred