Advancement Officer, College of Education and University Relations
The College of Education seeks a dynamic and passionate fundraiser to join their team. We are committed to fostering strong connections between our alumni, donors, students, and the broader community. Our mission is to build a culture of giving that supports the growth of our programs, enhances student success, and strengthens our ties with the community.
Primary Purpose:
- To significantly increase and diversify revenue to the College of Education by obtaining philanthropic support from donors and prospects (including individuals, corporations, foundations) who have the interest and capacity to make The incumbent will plan, develop, solicit, and manage a portfolio of donors and prospective donors who have the interest and financial capacity with the goal of maximizing and diversifying financial support for the College of Education and institutional priorities and goals.
- Work collaboratively with Central Annual Giving to develop strategies in order to increase philanthropic support to the College of Education.
- Additionally, this role is responsible for developing and implementing alumni engagement activities that build affinity, foster engagement amongst the alumni community, and increase philanthropic support for the College of Education.
Nature of Work: The Advancement Officer, located in the College of Education, reports to the Dean, College of Education and Director, College Development, University Relations. The Advancement Officer builds and maintains collaborative professional relationships with a cross-section of faculty, staff, alumni, prospects/donors, students, volunteers, campus advancement professionals and other stakeholders to meet stated objectives. The Officer garners an in-depth understanding of the College programs, needs and its stakeholders. The work requires a proactive approach in a complex environment and the ability to communicate effectively to a diverse audience by a variety of methods and communication mediums.
The incumbent will work both independently and collaboratively with advancement, alumni relations and communications specialists, college faculty and administration and key stakeholders to meet strategic goals. Establishing and maintaining positive relationships and modeling best practices is essential to success. This position makes discretionary decisions and uses judgment to determine appropriate procedures in alignment with legislative requirements and institutional policies. Accuracy and attention to detail is essential to ensure information provided to others is correct. The environment is dynamic and fast-paced. The Advancement Officer must be knowledgeable about and ensure alignment with university fundraising policies and procedures and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) guidelines and Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) ethical principles and standards.
Travel and evening and weekend work may be required. Consequence of error is significant to the reputation and profile of College of Education and the University.
Accountabilities:
- Actively manage a portfolio of 80-90 current and prospective donors at all levels, who have the ability to make gifts to support college and institutional
- Identify and qualify new prospects for the college;
- Ensure success through strategic cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gift prospects, including personal visits and asks, moving prospects from qualification to
- Become knowledgeable of College of Education and research programs and projects to identify matches with donor interests;
- Support College priorities, including in the areas of ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan and Indigenous education; equity, diversity and inclusion, and academic and research programming excellence.
- Collaborate with all Communications, Advancement and Alumni Relations staff, as appropriate, to prepare proposals, reports, gift agreements, letters and other fundraising materials, ensuring that the flow of information and materials is handled efficiently and smoothly;
- Ensure contacts with donors and prospective donors are recorded in the alumni and donor database in a timely and accurate manner and compile reports to support metrics;
- Participate in Advancement training, and college and university meetings, team planning and other activities that contribute to achieving college and university-wide goals in development, communications and alumni
- Build and implement alumni engagement opportunities that build affinity and foster engagement.
- Manage post-event activities, including evaluation, recognition and recommendations on ongoing improvement and adaptation.
Planning and Strategy:
- In consultation with the Dean and Director, College Development, develop, contribute to, and participate in an annual and multi-year fundraising plan that supports college priorities, programs and
- Assist in the fostering of a culture of philanthropy within the College that prompts college leadership and faculty and assists them in maintaining meaningful personal contact with donors and volunteers;
- Inform the Dean when donors are attending college alumni and reunion events and attend when appropriate to strengthen engagement and build affinity with alumni and donors.
Recognition and Stewardship:
- Maintain contact with internal and external donors and prospects to monitor their satisfaction and engagement and evaluate and report on fundraising initiatives and progress in meeting goals;
- Strengthen long-term relationships with the college’s donors by ensuring they are recognized in ways that are meaningful to them and that are in alignment with institutional recognition
- Work collaboratively with Central and College Staff and Faculty to ensure effective production and coordination of annual stewardship reports;
- Ensure regular and consistent reporting of impact back to donors in a timely manner;
- Seek opportunities and then permission from donors to engage in a donor spotlight story to demonstrate philanthropic impact and inspire others. Coordinate distribution of donor story with College communications team through appropriate channels.
Education: A relevant undergraduate degree and appropriate training and experience in a related field. CFRE designation would be considered an asset.
Experience: Three to five years of fundraising experience with a demonstrated progression in level of responsibility. Knowledge of the University of Saskatchewan and an understanding of strategic planning, fundraising, sales, financial services, events management or alumni relations will be an asset. Experience working in a diverse and inclusive environment is required.
Skills: Demonstrated integrity, professional maturity, discretion, judgment, and decisiveness to inspire confidence among internal and external stakeholders; goal oriented and results driven with proven ability to take initiative; ability to work independently and collaboratively; strong customer ethic, interpersonal relationship-building skills; strong ethics with the capacity to build consensus and maintain positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders; demonstrated analytical and organizational skills, including the effective planning and management of multiple projects; ability to problem-solve, think and act strategically and creatively; excellent communication skills, both written and oral including public speaking; proficiency in computer applications.
Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Anu Kashyap- anu.kashyap@usask.ca
Department: University Relations
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $69,035.00 - 107,868.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2
Posted Date: 6/3/2025
Closing Date: 6/16/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus
The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.