Development Associate, Corporate Relations

Competition 2681

This position is part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Administrative and Professional Officer Agreement, this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary range of $77,966 to $129,950.

Location - The successful candidate must either be based in Calgary or Edmonton. Should the successful candidate be based in Calgary, the role is fully remote. Should the successful candidate be based in Edmonton, the role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at Enterprise Square, and they must have the ability to travel frequently to Calgary.

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 First Peoples 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 Corporate and Foundation Relations, University Development, External Relations

Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) is a dynamic and collaborative team within University Development at the University of Alberta. We build meaningful partnerships with corporations and foundations to advance research, support students, and enrich programs across campus. Driven by a shared commitment to equity, innovation, and impact, CFR team members work at the intersection of philanthropy and purpose—helping shape a better future through strategic engagement and inspired giving. If you’re passionate about building relationships that drive real change, this is the place for you

Position Summary

Are you a strategic relationship builder with a passion for making big ideas happen? Join our dynamic Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) team as a Development Associate, where you’ll play a pivotal role in driving high-impact fundraising efforts. Reporting to the Manager of CFR, this position offers the exciting opportunity to work with a portfolio of approximately 75 corporate partners, focusing on complex, high-capacity relationships with the potential to generate gifts of up to $2.5 million. You'll be the vital link between the University of Alberta and major corporate donors, helping to advance shared priorities and long-term partnerships that span multiple faculties and units.

In this role, you'll do more than just steward existing relationships—you’ll help shape the future of the university’s corporate giving strategy. Drawing on your expertise in strategic planning, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement, you'll collaborate with senior academic leaders and development professionals across campus to craft compelling proposals and co-develop initiatives with far-reaching impact. You’ll also contribute to the broader Corporate and Foundation Relations strategy and benefit from a strong internal support network that includes faculty development, advancement services, and principal gifts teams.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who thrives in a complex, collaborative environment and is inspired by the opportunity to connect corporate partners with transformative opportunities in education, research, and innovation.

Duties 

• Personally manage a portfolio of high capacity corporate and foundation accounts.
• Identify the target markets, target corporations and foundations, proactively seeking opportunities to generate new proposals based on interests and priorities.
• Develop strategies for cultivation and solicitation of major philanthropic investments and provide leadership and guidance to faculties and units in aligning priorities with corporate and foundation prospects
• Personally visit key corporate and foundation accounts locally, regionally, and nationally, for the purposes of identifying new prospects, cultivating existing relationships, soliciting contributions and/or stewardship.
• Provide leadership in organizing, planning and carrying out solicitation activities involving a wide range of participants.
• Develop proposals - be responsible for writing proposals and overseeing proposals written by others.
• Ensure the timely capture and recording of data relating to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activity for the assigned prospect pool.
• Work with a sense of urgency, be goal-oriented and take personal accountability for fundraising goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• The successful candidate must either be based in Calgary or Edmonton. Should the successful candidate be based in Calgary, the role is fully remote. Should the successful candidate be based in Edmonton, the role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at Enterprise Square, and they must have the ability to travel frequently to Calgary.
• Bachelor's degree required. An advanced degree desired;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading or managing corporate community investment, social impact, or ESG-related programs within a large corporation, including experience with strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and/or corporate giving initiatives, or
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in attracting funding in the private sector or a foundation, major research university, hospital or related organization required; or
• Experience generating revenue, closing gifts or developing partnerships in the seven-figure range
• Excellent knowledge of industry trends;
• Ability to work comfortably and confidently with highest levels at corporations and foundations to attract funding.
• Computer literacy and database familiarity required.
• Proven ability to take primary responsibility for a diverse number of projects and to complete them in a timely manner with limited supervision;

Preferred Qualifications 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required, as are excellent interpersonal skills;
• Disciplined self-starter who regularly sets and achieves work goals;
• Experience in proposal writing;
• Must be willing to travel and work irregular hours as needed;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Ability to work well in a team environment;
• Ability to meet deadlines and juggle competing priorities in a high-paced environment;
• Appreciation of the mission of a major research university and the ability to match creatively the university's highest priority needs with the interests of qualified major gift prospective donors;
• Must embrace accountability for performance based on solid fundraising principles including moves management;
• Ability to navigate solicitation routes to keep doors open and secure gifts.