Job Description

Description

The

Medicine Development team

within

VP Development and Alumni

is currently seeking a Full-time Regular

Director of Development at Cumming School of Medicine.

Located in Canada's most enterprising city, the University of Calgary (UCalgary) is a global intellectual hub for teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and deep engagement with the community.


UCalgary is one of Canada's top comprehensive research universities, with more than 7,500 graduate students and 30,500 undergraduate students, 1,800 academic staff, and over 4,000 non-academic staff in 14 faculties, across five campuses. As one of Canada's leading research-intensive universities, UCalgary is home to 146 research chairs (75 Canada Research Chairs), and more than 50 research institutes and centres. The university is bolstered by the incredible philanthropic support of the community, including more than $1.4B Billion raised during Energize: The Campaign for Eyes High (the third-largest completed fundraising campaign in Canadian history). UCalgary has the fastest growth rate in attracting research funding among the 10 largest universities in Canada and for three years in a row was ranked the #1 start-up creator among Canadian research universities.


Through its strategic plan, Ahead of Tomorrow, UCalgary continues on its remarkable growth trajectory, striving for inimitable excellence through innovative teaching and learning, cutting-edge exploration, and community linkage, through. The strategy is a bold vision that reflects our ambition to increase access to future-focused education, to maximize the impact of our research and innovation, to put the community at the centre of all that we do, and to make our operational processes clearer, simpler and better than any other university.


The Development and Alumni team serves as a bridge between the University of Calgary and its champions, including donors, alumni and community members. Supporting engagement, volunteerism and partnerships, it creates opportunities for impact in Calgary and beyond. The Development team is responsible for all private philanthropic fundraising, and alignment of investment to advance the strategic priorities of the University of Calgary and the communities it serves.


The Director of Development is a senior position reporting to the Senior Director of Development who supports fundraising at the Cumming School of Medicine, within the Office of Development and Alumni. This position is responsible for leading the work to support major and principal gift fundraising for priorities in the Cumming School of Medicine, including initiatives supported by the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI). The Director will engage in strategic planning and overall management of key fundraising operations, ensuring alignment with University-wide development goals. This position is responsible for advancing donor relationships through face-to-face meetings, personally managing a number of key donor relationships.


This position requires an ability to work under pressure, juggle multiple timelines, manage professional staff, negotiate with donors, and interact with a diverse client base including all members of the Development and Alumni team and other university partners, including highly engaged university volunteers. The impact of the decisions of the incumbent will have a significant impact on Development and Alumni and the University.


The position has access to highly sensitive and confidential information and is frequently a first point of contact for key stakeholders including major donors, community leaders, as well as the University's program directors, Deans and Department Heads. The advice, decisions and actions of the Director may create contractual, legal, tax and ethical implications for the University. This role requires the excellent leadership, diplomacy, foresight and sound judgment to ensure continued goodwill and financial support for the University.


The Director of Development is expected to generate philanthropic support and lasting relationships which will assist the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) in contributing to achieving the vision of the University of Calgary. The position will be responsible for planning, conducting and working in partnership with the CSM team to manage all philanthropic and sponsorship activity related to the portfolio's priorities, and for building and cultivating relationships with donors, alumni, corporations, foundations, community leaders, key community stakeholders, and volunteers.


The position is expected to be a key contributor in the development of strategic and annual plans that engage donors and sponsors with CSM. This position is accountable to develop and execute strategies that will result in the securing of major philanthropic gifts for CSM and interdisciplinary priorities, including research initiatives supported by HBI.


Maintaining professional relationships with donors, stakeholders, internal professional staff and members of the academy is vital to the success of this role and its ability to positively impact the University.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

(job functions include but are not limited to):


Key accountabilities for the Director of Development include ensuring stakeholders are appropriately involved and consulted in developing and implementing fundraising plans and advancing donor prospects. The Director will recruit, train, support and motivate volunteers, staff and faculty to assist with fundraising activities and directly interact with corporations, foundations and individuals, to secure financial support. The position will ensure compliance with all relevant University policies and procedures.


The scope of the responsibilities includes, but is not limited to:

Developing and implementing strategic fundraising plans that advance UCalgary and CSM priorities. Building, cultivating and maintaining key relationships with faculty, staff, volunteers, alumni and donors to support fundraising initiatives. Contributing to pan-university fundraising targets, with particular focus on priorities in support of the Cumming School of Medicine and HBI. Establishing annual fundraising metrics and comprehensive plans with the Senior Director of Development. Coordinating fundraising planning and execution across the Development and Alumni team. Providing leadership in the development and execution of short- and long-term strategic fundraising plans. Developing prospect lists and working closely with academic leadership, volunteers and alumni to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors in support of UCalgary. Preparing briefs, proposals, stewardship reports and other compelling fundraising collateral to support donor relations. Partner with other Development and Alumni staff to develop stewardship plans and material that increase donor participation and gift size. Uphold Prospect Management Guidelines. Collaborating with Alumni staff to align engagement and communications strategies with fundraising priorities. Practicing ethical fundraising in keeping with the University's mission and values and in accordance with charitable giving standards. Maintaining awareness of current trends in fund development and alumni engagement. Engaging in ongoing professional development as a fundraiser and mentor to colleagues and faculty.

Qualifications / Requirements:

A university degree in a related field with a minimum of 7 years fundraising experience, including experience in securing and managing six- to seven- figure gifts. Previous experience working within the non-profit sector, particularly a post-secondary educational setting or a large, complex organization, is preferred. Demonstrated consistent experience in soliciting, closing and managing complex gifts. Proven leadership capability. Excellent verbal and written communication abilities. Sound judgment and decision-making capabilities and the ability to work independently. Excellent organizational skills. The ability to coach and train academic leadership in the area of fundraising.

Application Deadline:

October 4, 2025.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.


This position is classified in the

Professional Career Band, Level P4

of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.


For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our

Management and Staff Careers website

.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.


The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (

equity@ucalgary.ca

) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (

hrhire@ucalgary.ca

).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.