Associate Director, Donor Relations and Stewardship

Date Posted: 05/07/2025
Req ID: 42827
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Department: Office of Advancement
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00051910

About us:

The Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering is a world-renowned community of researchers and students dedicated to solving some of the world's most pressing challenges through collaborative and multidisciplinary research and experiential education. Through rigorous technical training, and unparalleled extracurricular and professional experience opportunities, we prepare the next generation of engineering leaders and change-makers to unlock the future's potential.

The Office of Advancement works to sustain and enhance the Faculty’s academic mission, leadership and worldwide impact by engaging alumni and private-sector stakeholders. As part of Defy Gravity: The Campaign for the University of Toronto, we seek to harness the talent, generosity, and compassion of our global community to strengthen the University’s commitment to inclusive excellence and accelerate work on the most complex issues facing our world today.

Your opportunity:

Reporting to the Director of Operations and Stewardship, the Associate Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Advancement department’s donor stewardship programs. Supervising two staff members, the incumbent will provide guidance to the Advancement office on best-in-class stewardship and recognition of the Faculty's existing and prospective donors.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Evolve and implement a robust donor recognition and stewardship system that provides a best-in-class donor experience for all Engineering donors with a focus on principal giving donors and major giving donors.
• Support ongoing fundraising and cultivation activity of fundraisers by helping to nurture and leverage existing donor relationships through exceptional stewardship opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with all Advancement Office team members to optimize the donor experience.
• Update and maintain systems and processes relating to stewardship and donor recognition.
• Ensure appropriate and timely acknowledgement and correspondence for the faculty's donors.
• Ensure gift agreements are fulfilled and executed according to University policies and processes.
• Enhance donor relations by maintaining excellent relationships with a multitude of internal and external stakeholders to promote partnerships and collaborations in gift reporting, signage and recognition, and engagement activities that includes events.
• Support stewardship initiatives and strategies for our alumni and high level volunteers. Collaborates with Divisional University Advancement on all stewardship and donor relations activities including donor fund reporting.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years progressively responsible experience in advancement or stewardship program management.
• Demonstrated experience building relationships with colleagues and donors.
• Experience with management and implementation of complex gifts (i.e. gifts with partner organizations, multiple priorities and stakeholders, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience with project management principles and software.
• Proficiency in donor relationship databases such as Arbor.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks effectively and efficiently, superior organizational skills and strict attention to detail, ability to work under deadline.
• Ability to work as a collaborative and engaging member of the team.
• Demonstrated knowledge of stewardship practices across all levels of giving.
• Demonstrated ability to provide superior customer service and apply sound judgment when dealing with donors and volunteers.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Approachable
• Communicator
• Entrepreneurial
• Multi-tasker
• Proactive
• Team player

Work location: This role is currently eligible for a hybrid work arrangement of 3 days per week in office, pursuant to University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to the University of Toronto’s Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.

Closing Date: 05/22/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 17 -- $107,820. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $137,883. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.