Assistant Dean, Development

Competition 1498

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

In accordance with the Handbook of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded), this full-time continuing position offers a comprehensive benefits package that can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page and an annual salary range which will be commensurate with qualifications.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person at North Campus, Edmonton.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Faculty 

A career in Development at the University of Alberta positions you as a key player in creating this future. Bring your passion for relationship building and your belief in the power of philanthropy to the University of Alberta, and help deepen our dedication to excellence and extend our record of public leadership by playing a lead role in building a better province, a better Canada, and a better world. The Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences (ALES) at the U of A provides solutions to global challenges, such as agriculture and food, the environment, community and individual well-being, and bioresource innovation. Comprising four departments (Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science; Renewable Resources; Resource Economics & Environmental Sociology; and Human Ecology), and more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs, ALES turns science into solutions that encompass the entire human experience. For more information, visit https://www.ualberta.ca/en/agriculture-life-environment-sciences/index.html.

Position 

Reporting jointly to the Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, and the Director, Faculty Development (College of Natural and Applied Sciences and the College of Social Sciences and Humanities) the Assistant Dean, Development is responsible for faculty-based and, where appropriate, as a contributor to College and University-wide Development initiatives. Known as a strategic thinker and aspirational goal-setters, they embrace their shared role in sustaining the University of Alberta’s impactful development program and culture which galvanizes support for the University of Alberta’s vision, mission, and values through campaigns and ongoing philanthropy.

The Assistant Dean, Development holds a senior management position within the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences and must possess a desire to help drive leading fundraising practices in Canada, a commitment to strong fundraising results through developing and delivering on outstanding philanthropic priorities, and to enhancing the University's reputation as a world-class institution. The Assistant Dean, Development works collaboratively with the Dean, the Director, Faculty Development, senior administrators, academic teams, individuals and advisory boards to build and execute a strategic development program in the Faculty that fosters strong personal and professional philanthropic relationships that result in contributions from individuals and organizations; and serves as a trusted resource, advocate, and spokesperson for fund-raising efforts.

The Assistant Dean, Development works closely with other Faculty and University leaders to build strong, supportive relationships with its worldwide community of students, alumni, public and corporate communities.

Duties 

• As a senior fundraiser with significant experience in a post-secondary environment, the Assistant Dean, Development will be expected to hold an active donor portfolio managing complex relationships with multi-interest stakeholders.
• Provides strategic leadership and direction to the faculty’s fundraising team to guide development activity, inspire accountability, success, continuous professional growth and attract philanthropic contributions to the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences.
• Manages a high-performing team of fundraising professionals who are focused on building engaging, purpose-driven relationships with our academic and research leaders; our alumni; our learners; and our community of donors, partners and prospective supporters.
• In partnership with the Dean and the Director, Faculty Development leads the planning and development of fundraising priorities and projects, including the development of prospective campaigns, and prospect pipelines to support them and ensure effective communications and marketing requirements are identified and implemented in building compelling cases for support.
• Reports regularly to the Dean and the Director, Faculty Development on progress toward annual fundraising targets, including quarterly updates and annual performance evaluations.
• Oversees strategy development, plans, activity, and supporting materials to ensure an excellent donor experience, including preparing effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for current and prospective donors.
• Provides expert guidance and advice as a member of the Faculty’s leadership team in establishing strategic development initiatives, key partnership strategies and goals for the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, alongside leading the engagement between donors and Faculty academic leaders.
• Identifies and engages volunteers as advisors to faculty fundraising strategies as appropriate.
• Represents the Faculty on university-wide fundraising strategies and joint initiatives with other faculties.
• Serves as a key stakeholder alongside Communications and Alumni Relations Partners on communication strategies with alumni and donors through various engagement events and publications, and provides advice and appropriate vision and oversight on the implementation of all faculty-related development communications.
• Provides appropriate briefing materials to the dean and other faculty academic leaders to execute strategies with donors; creates and executes plans to involve the dean in face-to-face fundraising visits per year, ideally with the faculty’s top prospects, also scheduling visits with other faculty leaders as appropriate (e.g. heads of departments).
• Works to match donor interests with institutional and Faculty priorities, develops funding proposals and negotiates and structures complex gifts to the Faculty.
• Works collaboratively with all University Development and other External Relations central partners with responsibilities related to the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, including, but not limited to, the faculty’s Communications partner; Alumni Relations partner; Events partner; Donor Relations and Engagement partner; and colleagues who work in the areas of Corporate and Foundation Relations; Planned Giving; Annual Giving; the Office of the Recording Secretary; Prospect Management and Prospect Research; the Scholarships, Awards and Financial Support office; and partners within the Research Services Office.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate university degree required, graduate degree preferred.
• Seven years or more experience in major or planned gift fundraising with a track record of closing major gifts ($500,000 and higher) preferably in higher education.
• Related experience in sales, financial services and business development will be considered.
• A strategic high-level thinker with an extensive background in managing a high-performing team.
• Ability to coach and brief organizational leaders on fundraising activities including operational planning, objective setting and establishment of fundraising priorities.
• Experience in working with communications, marketing, stewardship and engagement, and alumni relations teams with a focus on building strong, established and engaging relationships with the philanthropic and alumni community.
• Knowledge of a variety of fundraising tools and strategies for major gift fundraising and demonstrated experience with activities throughout the giving cycle including identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Interest in all aspects of education and a dedication to promoting the University's fundraising priorities through developing excellent relationships with faculty and academic leaders, volunteers and representatives from the Office of Development.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and commitment to engaging with these initiatives; a track record of success in moving forward these agendas in meaningful and impactful ways.
• Demonstrated a high level of political acumen, integrity, discretion, decisiveness, and professional commitment, and the ability to build relationships, communicate, influence, advocate, and negotiate with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Skilled decision-making, including the ability to make decisions with the appropriate level of consultation and transparency expected in an academic institution.
• Ability to meet deadlines and juggle competing priorities in a high-paced environment.
• Travel to visit donors and prospective donors is required and undertaken in compliance with the University of Alberta's Public Health Orders.