Development Officer, Western College of Veterinary Medicine
Primary Purpose: To manage and promote development for the Veterinary Hospital, new expansions project, and increase overall donor engagement, qualify, and cultivate new prospects and donors to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) with a goal to significantly increase and diversify revenue. This role will also work closely with the Director of Development on a WCVM expansion project.
The Development Officer plays a critical role in WCVM advancement efforts,
focusing on donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. This position is responsible for identifying prospective donors, engaging them through meaningful interactions, and securing gifts to support the strategic priorities of the school. Additionally, the role includes the management of student awards. WCVM is moving towards an expansion project which will also include feasibility study readiness, which will call upon the successful candidate to interview potential donors to the expansion to help inform fundraising goals and objectives. The incumbent will manage a portfolio of donors and prospective donors to support the fundraising needs of the college.
Nature of Work: The Development Officer, located in the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, reports to the Director of Development. The Development Officer works closely with a wide range of college stakeholders, including the Dean, University Relations colleagues, other college advancement staff, the college’s donors, alumni, senior administrators, department heads, faculty, staff, and Students. Work requires a proactive approach in a complex environment and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences by a variety of methods and mediums. Establishing and maintaining positive relationships and modeling best practices is essential to success. As an ambassador of the university, this position independently and collaboratively interacts with representatives of the university, colleges, schools, units and University Relations colleagues to coordinate and implement comprehensive development strategies and programs to significantly enhance relationships, donor participation/capacity and revenue generation.
If you love animals and are personable, self-motivated, and have good attention to detail then this role is for you!
Travel, as well as evening and weekend work, is occasional, but required. Consequence of error is significant to the reputation and profile of WCVM and the University.
Accountabilities:
Fundraising
Work and support development team and college of WCVM to align with donor interest and college priorities through:
- Develop and implement annual and multi-year business plans for WCVM Hospital in collaboration with the Director of Development to establish objectives, budget and timelines
- The identification, cultivation of new donors to the college, with a special focus on engaging animal lovers and/or grateful patients of the WCVM Hospital
- Actively and continuously qualifying new potential donors and managing a portfolio of leadership and major gifts, prospects and donors
- Develop and implement strategies to cultivate and solicit gifts from new leadership and major donors
- Engage with donors through personal visits, phone calls, events and written communications
- Ensure alignment with university fundraising policies and procedures, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) guidelines, as well as Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) ethical principles and standards
- Assist with the management of the student awards program at WCVM
- Incorporating legacy giving discussions into donor fundraising plans
- Participate in University Relations 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 relations
Stewardship & Relationship management
- Ensure timely recognition and appreciation of donors
- Develop tailored donor engagement plans to deepen affinity and commitment to the school
- Steward awards program donors and provide impact reporting
Administration/Reporting
- Development of fundraising materials (gift agreements, proposals, case for support, impact reports)
- Provide Director of Development with monthly report on prospective donors
WCVM Expansion & Feasibility Interviews
- Conduct donor feasibility interviews to assess philanthropic interest and capacity in preparation for the fundraising
- Gather insights from stakeholders to refine messaging, priorities, and goals
- Present findings and recommendations to the Director to support expansion planning
Education: An undergraduate degree and/or appropriate training and experience in a related field. Experience in an academic setting and recognized professional accreditation such as CFRE would be considered assets.
Experience: Minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in fundraising or closely related discipline preferably within a higher education or comparably complex environment; demonstrated success in goal and priority setting, experience working with senior leadership, success in building and managing collaborative relationships, managing multiple projects, identifying target audiences and managing prospect relationships and strategies through to successful solicitation. Working with and managing volunteers and an interest in community/stakeholder engagement would be preferred. Experience utilizing a computerized database to manage donor records for research and solicitation purposes, as well as knowledge of the University of Saskatchewan and an understanding of strategic planning, sales, events management and/or alumni relations would be an asset.
Skills/Competencies: Goal driven with a high level of energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the mission and goals of the institution; demonstrated integrity, professional maturity, discretion, judgment, and decisiveness to inspire confidence among internal and external stakeholders; results driven with proven ability to take initiative; superior facilitation and creativity in negotiating win-win agreements to motivate volunteers and to inspire confidence working with donors and/or their professional advisors; ability to work independently and collaboratively as an effective team member; strong interpersonal relationship-building skills and the capacity to build consensus and maintain positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders; demonstrated analytical and organizational skills, including 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; and proficiency in computer applications, including database expertise.
Department: College of Vet Medicine
Status: Term 2 years with the possibility of extension or becoming 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: 7/21/2025
Closing Date: 8/10/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines
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.