Job Description

Job Title
Senior Development Officer, Planned Giving
Job Type
Permanent
Union
Exempt
Position Classification
EEL6 Exempt Level 6
Salary Grade
FT or PT
Full-time
Hybrid Work
This position is ineligible
Position End Date (if applicable)
Location
MRU Main Campus - Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 CA (Primary)
About this Position
About the Development Department
The Development team sets ambitious targets to support Mount Royal's growth. Promoting Mount Royal's goals, achievements and values, the Development team fosters positive relationships with community members and donors while growing Mount Royal's network. This team works to continuously increase Mount Royal's endowment portfolio, alumni philanthropy and the value of scholarships available to current students.
About the Role
The Senior Development Officer, Planned Giving reports to the Director of Development, Major Gifts, and is responsible for managing a portfolio of individual donors for both major and planned gifts, as well as building and leading Mount Royal University's planned giving program. The person in this role plays a key role in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding planned giving donors and prospects in collaboration with the Director, senior administration, faculty, and institutional partners. This role requires managing a high volume of work and competing priorities, supporting education and training for staff in the area of planned giving, attending community and institutional events to engage with current and prospective donors.
Responsibilities
Raising funds to support institutional fundraising priorities (70%)

• Create and execute strategies for planned giving donor identification, cultivation, and solicitation of new donor prospects
• Manage a portfolio that includes both planned giving and major gift donors and prospects, recognizing that many relationships evolve over time and may include current, deferred, or blended gifts; steward current major gifts while fostering deeper engagement toward future legacy commitments
• Cultivate relationships with donors to align their philanthropic interests with institutional priorities
• Lead or support solicitation conversations for both current and planned gifts, including preparing proposals, materials, and strategic talking points
• Network to engage with new, existing, and prospective donors
• Develop and initiate customized stewardship plans that reflect donors' values and commitments
• Coordinate the participation of institutional leaders, faculty, and volunteers in cultivation, solicitation and stewardship efforts
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of institutional fundraising priorities and opportunities
• Develop customized gift strategies in collaboration with donors and professional advisors, including complex and non-cash gifts, to maximize impact for both the donor and the institution
• Craft donor-facing correspondence and materials, such as proposals, letters, emails and other communications, with exceptional polish, clarity, and nuance, ensuring they reflect the highest standard of professionalism and institutional voice
• Create, monitor, and manage gift agreements in coordination with donors and Advancement Services
• Collaborate closely with colleagues in Major, Leadership and Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, Advancement Services, and Faculties to identify prospects and to ensure coordinated engagement strategies and seamless donor experience

Building, leading and advancing the planned giving program (30%)

• Oversee the creation, coordination, and updating of planned giving materials across platforms, including website content, informational brochures, donor guides, and internal procedures for gifts of securities and other non-cash assets
• Participate actively in divisional and team strategy meetings to align planned giving with broader development efforts
• Prepare impeccable briefing materials for senior leadership that are concise, accurate, and strategically tailored to support high-level donor engagement
• Design and implement targeted stewardship and engagement activities for members of the 1910 Legacy Society (e.g., events, newsletters, recognition programs)
• Provide guidance, resources, or informal training to staff, volunteers, and colleagues to support broader understanding and identification of planned giving opportunities
• Build and maintain relationships with a network of allied professionals (e.g., legal, financial, and estate advisors) to support planned giving efforts
• Ensure appropriate handling, documentation, and storage of estate-related materials (e.g., wills, bequest letters), in accordance with privacy legislation (FOIP), donor intent, and institutional rights as a beneficiary
• Collaborate with the Compliance Officer and institutional legal counsel on the review and resolution of complex or potentially sensitive planned gifts
• Stay informed about relevant legislation, tax laws, and industry best practices related to planned giving, and proactively apply this knowledge to enhance program effectiveness and ensure compliance
• Maintain accurate and timely activity records, donor interactions, and documentation in the CRM system

Qualifications

• University Bachelor's Degree
• Professional fundraising designation preferred
• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in a complex organization, with proven success in both major and planned gifts fundraising
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to diverse audiences
• Strong working knowledge of established fundraising principles and best practices, reflecting proven and widely recognized fundraising methodologies
• Proficiency with Google Workspace tools (Gmail, Calendar, Google Meet, Drive, etc.)
• Experience using Raiser's Edge NXT or comparable CRM platforms
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively and work collaboratively across teams
• Ability to use data to inform strategies and measure outcomes
• A basic or moderate familiarity with legal and compliance considerations related to planned giving, paired with the initiative to recognize when further understanding is needed and to seek out expert guidance accordingly
• High level of discretion, professionalism, and ethical standards in donor relations

Salary: $102,749.00 - $114,000.00
Closing Date: October 20, 2025
A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others currently legally authorized to work in Canada will be given priority. Please note only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. After the close date, you can check on the status of your application through your Career Centre. New career opportunities arise frequently and are posted as they become available. Please check back often to view our latest postings on our Career Opportunities page.
If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify and we will work together on your accommodation request.
About MRU
Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. A student-focused undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, Mount Royal University is known for our top-calibre programs, high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate research. MRU serves approximately 15,782 students, including 11,752 full-time and 4,030 part-time learners. MRU offers 13 bachelor's degrees encompassing 37 majors across faculties such as Arts, Business, Communications, Health, Community & Education, and Science & Technology. With over 74% of its student body drawn from the local area, Mount Royal University primarily serves Calgary and its surrounding region. MRU is a diverse yet close community with over 1,800 employees. Mount Royal provides employees the support they need to lead and advance institutional goals. Learn more about MRU's and .
What We Offer
Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. At MRU, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.
Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. MRU offers a competitive total compensation package including learning/training paid by employer, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre. Positions over six months may also be eligible for health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, and disability benefits.
Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees and the public.

Skills Required