Director, Relationship and Fund Development, University of the Fraser Valley

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director, Relationship and Fund Development is accountable for the creation and implementation of a strategic fundraising program including annual appeals, sponsorship, major and principal giving, and planned giving with funding sought from corporate, foundation, and individual funders, including alumni.

The Director, Relationship and Fund Development ensures that the fundraising efforts of the team are focused on raising money in support of the University’s strategic priorities, including student awards, education programs, capital projects, and research and innovation initiatives as well as other funding priorities that advance the work of the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV).

The Director cultivates strategic and impactful relationships with key community stakeholders and partners to reach UFV's fund development goals and is responsible for increasing the pipeline of major gift prospects, identifying gift opportunities, and securing and stewarding major gifts. .

The Director works closely with deans, senior leaders, students, faculty, staff, and volunteers across the organization to identify prospect gift opportunities, promote prospect engagement, identify potential donors, and determine fundraising strategies.

The Director represents the University at community, networking, and business events and on volunteer boards and committees to build the University’s profile, and to identify and cultivate donors and prospects.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directs and oversees a comprehensive major gift development program, managing portfolios, establishing metrics, conducting prospect research, implementing tracking systems, and ensuring quality funding submissions.
• Leads prospect clearance meetings and drives revenue growth through various giving strategies within the Relationship and Fund Development program.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive annual fundraising plan that incorporates major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, annual giving, and special events, and establishes annual KPI’s and fundraising targets.
• Leads the Relationship and Fund Development team in collaborating across the institution to identify fundraising opportunities that align with the strategic priorities of UFV and ensures that new fundraising opportunities are brought forward for consideration.
• Develops fundraising priorities related to capital projects, endowments, student awards, education programs, and research initiatives.
• Oversees specific faculty / department unit fundraising portfolios with the greatest fundraising potential.
• Develops and oversees stewardship strategy to ensure all funders are acknowledged, stewarded, and afforded recognition and benefits related to their giving level and agreed-to obligations.
• Oversees the planning, execution, and evaluation of fundraising and engagement events and provides recommendations as needed to achieve operational outcomes.
• Represents the University to current and prospective donors by participating in community events, networking, and business activities, including actively engaging with community organizations, both in public and individual meetings.
• Works with internal and external communities to create programming in a collaborative, reciprocal, and mutually beneficial way.
• Utilizes and champions promising and best practices in principled decision making, resource allocation, management, and evaluation systems to consistently report on the impact of community engagement activities on faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
• Manages own assigned portfolio of major gift constituents (consisting of individuals, corporations, foundations, associations, service groups, and government agencies) to secure major gifts of $100,000 and above.
• Carries a personal annual fundraising goal of $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 (multi-year pledges or one-time gifts).
• Develops and implements plans and strategies to enhance the relationship and fund development program and generate consistent and significant increases to funds raised.
• Oversees the development and production of compelling cases for support, case statements, and other tools to communicate funding priorities to the funder community.
• Monitors and reports regularly to UFV’s senior leadership on achievements to goal on both KPIs and financial results.
• Makes quarterly projections on year-end financial results, implementing required actions.
• Partners with the UFV Alumni Engagement department to build relationships and enhance the solicitation of alumni and engagement of alumni in fundraising activities.
• Leads the Relationship and Fund Development team by mentoring and inspiring direct reports, supporting contributions, sharing credit, building enthusiasm, and resolving conflict in a mentoring / coaching style.
• Prepares and manages the operating budget for Relationship and Fund Development.
• Oversees the recruitment, performance management, and professional development of the Relationship and Fund Development team.
• Provides coaching and mentorship to motivate, lead, and engage team members to work collaboratively, communicate effectively and to apply best practices in fundraising programs and activities.
• Supervises the receipt and management of gifts to the University, including cash, gifts-in-kind, securities, and legacy gifts, pledge payments, and overdue payments.
• Ensures compliance with Canada Revenue Agency regulations and provides regular updates to the Vice President, and others as appropriate / required, advising of issues and solutions.
• Works with colleagues in Relationship and Fund Development, Legal, Finance, and Financial Aid to ensure appropriate documentation in place such as gift and sponsorship agreements, gift acceptance, recognition, and naming policies, and terms of reference.
• Builds relationships with deans, faculty, staff, students, and alumni to foster a culture of philanthropy across the institution.
• Directs, schedules, provides performance evaluation and feedback, identifies professional development opportunities, and where necessary issues disciplinary notice.
• Manages assigned employees; directs and oversees work of assigned employees, and collective agreement administration.
• Reviews and approves leaves relating to professional development and vacation and administers sick leave and leave of absence requests.
• Infuses Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, leads by example, valuing differing perspectives and backgrounds and promoting equity, inclusion and respect in a diverse work environment.
• Creates the conditions for people with Indigenous and diverse backgrounds to succeed at UFV.
• Includes equity-deserving groups in opportunities and decision-making.
• Builds inclusive and diverse teams who have different perspectives, abilities, experiences, races, backgrounds, identities, and / or styles.
• Invites and responds to different perspectives from a place of curiosity, respect, and non-judgement.
• Demonstrates respect for all members of the UFV community and proactively works to create an environment of inclusivity and accessibility.
• Engages in learning and activities related to actioning indigenization and understanding the impact of colonialism and the purpose of reconciliation.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business administration or a related field.
• Nine (9) years of successful fundraising leadership experience required, with at least five (5) in post-secondary and major gifts fundraising.
• Proven ability to close six and seven-figure major gifts.
• Experience working within a centralized fundraising system in the post-secondary sector.
• Proven leadership, project management, and administrative capabilities, including hiring, performance evaluations and disciplinary decisions.
• Strong strategic leadership skills and the ability to direct the development and planning of strategic relationships and initiatives.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with an attention to detail and financial reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in order to deal effectively with complex tasks and issues.
• Exceptional communication skills and diplomacy; ability to inspire and lead teams.
• Self-directed with a high degree of initiative and ability to innovate and think outside of the box.
• Excellent time-management skills and the ability to work under pressure, independently, and as a team player.
• Proven track record of developing complex plans and budgets with the ability to deliver on budget.
• Sound judgement and demonstrated ability to manage highly confidential, complex and sensitive information.
• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills, comfortable networking and representing UFV at functions and events.
• Experience working with and representing the interests of diverse populations.
• Advanced experience tracking donor lifecycle management in a CRM, preferably Raiser’s Edge / NXT.
• Advanced experience using Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office required.
• Understanding human resource management practices and supervisory experience are required.
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) designation an asset.
• Knowledge of and experience working in the Fraser Valley an asset.
• Ability to adapt to changing schedules and accommodate daily and weekly events, including evenings and weekends, as necessary to meet the demands of the role.

UFV LEADERSHIP PROFICIENCIES

• Create and implement plans - shape, align and execute the strategic priorities to meet student and community needs.
• Lead change Remain flexible, adjusting to changing circumstances and lead positive change by balancing innovation and calculated risk taking.
• Cultivate collaborative relationships Build effective working relationships internally and externally and collaborate to achieve mutually beneficial goals.
• Inspire and develop talent - Invest in developing yourself, staff and faculty, effective teams, and our culture of excellence.
• Make effective decisions - Make sound and timely decisions that benefit UFV in both straightforward and ambiguous circumstance.
• Infuse Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Lead by example, valuing differing perspectives and backgrounds and promote equity, inclusion and respect in a diverse environment.

Benefits

Salary range : $108,048 (min), $144,064 (midpoint), and $165,673 (max).

For a full range of benfits visit :

Work format : Hybrid