Job Description

University Advancement
Thunder Bay
Full-time
Permanent

Overview

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Reporting to the Director, Donor Experience & Advancement Services, the Coordinator, Donor Experience is responsible for developing, coordinating and carrying out a comprehensive donor experience, engagement and stewardship strategy that acknowledges donors of all levels to Lakehead University.


This position is a champion of gratitude, supporting the development of the university's stewardship, recognition and overall donor experience portfolio, with a focus on the development and implementation of individual donor stewardship plans, activities and strategies, impact communications, and digital stewardship initiatives.


The incumbent works directly with Development Officers to develop meaningful donor recognition and stewardship plans, to enhance the donor experience, and to deepen donor engagement at all levels. Stewardship planning encompasses gift acknowledgement, recognition, appreciation, accountability and reporting.

Responsibilities

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Donor Stewardship Oversight

Cultivate and maintain meaningful long-term relationships with donors, ensuring they feel valued, informed, and connected to Lakehead University's mission and vision. Oversight of the donor relations matrix. Act as a resource for Development Officers for donor recognition planning. Lead and implement the annual virtual donor recognition strategy Lead and implement the donor signage and recognition program Collaborate with and make recommendations for Development Officers on stewardship best practices, including donor recognition content for MOUs or Gift Agreements.

Impact Reporting

Project Lead for Annual Endowment Reporting: Develop work backs, lead team collaboration and communicate deliverables with stakeholders to ensure successful reporting for over 600 Endowment Reports per year. Project manage the development of high-level and high-impact stewardship reports to support donor engagement and University Advancement donor accountability Oversight of three major communication projects to donors per year. Develop work backs and collaborate with internal stakeholders for design, direct mail and email management (includes accurate list development), briefings for the web team

Donor Event Management

Project lead for Legacy giving donor events Planning and event execution support for institutional/public events on campus that are specific for donor recognition events. Oversight and coordination of all guest lists (criteria, sourcing of accurate lists). Manage RSVP communications and follow up, according to established timelines. Coordinate volunteers and the day of event set up and reception of guests. Assist with support collateral as required (communication materials, conference services, securing content for speaking notes (ie: student voice).

CRM Donor Stewardship Oversight

Leverage Raiser's Edge modules to support enhanced donor engagement, such as assigning actions, updating events data, building reports and conducting data analysis Establish, maintain and report on key donor stewardship KPI's relating to dashboards, workflow and communications.

Relationship Management

Participate in bi-weekly Pipeline Development meetings to coordinate the donor experience plans with Development Officers Coordinate with partners such as Athletics, Departmental Staff, Faculty Staff and others for oversight of the Donor Signage policy and recognition program. Actively build relationships with Alumni and Annual Giving, Communications, faculty or departments, for any donor experience-related initiatives

Qualifications

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University degree or a minimum of 3-5 years equivalent of progressive work experience in areas relating to donor interactions and donor recognition (communications, writing, relationship management, event management) Project management skills - demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, monitor and correct project business requirements Ability to work independently, take initiative and prioritize work projects Relationship builder and collaborator across multiple functional areas Excellent oral, presentation and written communication skills Strong working knowledge, understanding of, and experience with reporting and acknowledgment systems such Raisers Edge NXT Clear understanding of and strict adherence to ethical fundraising standards including the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Code of Ethics and the Four Pillars of Donor Relations Acumen with social media posting strategy and content development is an asset. Satisfactory Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check required. A valid 'G' class drivers' license (or equivalent) and passport with no travel restrictions is required. Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Working knowledge of design platforms such as Canva is an asset Experience working with vendors in relation to print production and design
Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.


Lakehead University has a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of underrepresented groups among applicants, candidates, and hires. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups, is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.

We appreciate your interest; Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment.

Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343-8010 ext. 8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.




Benefits Information
Why Lakehead
Application Deadline:
Friday, October 31, 2025 - 11:59pm
Salary:
Band 4: 53,841.72 - 67,301.84

Contact Information:
humanres@lakeheadu.ca
Reference Number:
SCHII-25-50

Application Deadline:
Friday, October 31, 2025 - 11:59pm
Salary:
Band 4: 53,841.72 - 67,301.84
Yes, eligible for benefits
Contact Information:
humanres@lakeheadu.ca
Reference Number:
SCHII-25-50