

Senior Development Officer "VII" (2026-13-23)
About the role
POSITION TITLE: Senior Development Officer
CLASSIFICATION: Classification “VII” per Schedule A of the collective agreement DEPARTMENT: Advancement & Alumni
HOURS OF WORK: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm
*Substitute vacancy for approximately one year
The University of Windsor is situated on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations: the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomie. We respect the longstanding relationships with First Nations people in this place in the 100-mile Windsor-Essex peninsula and the straits – les détroits – of Detroit.
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: The Senior Development Officer is responsible for strategically identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high net-worth donors. This role requires collaboration with senior leadership, faculty, advancement and alumni team members, as well as internal and external stakeholders to drive fundraising efforts, and build long-term relationships to ensure alignment with university-wide priorities.
The key job functions include: • Cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donors and prospects to achieve annual fundraising goals. • Build and manage relationships with alumni, corporations, foundations, and community partners to secure philanthropic support. • Develop donor engagement strategies, prepare funding proposals, and oversee a portfolio of high-value prospects and donors. • Utilize donor management systems and fundraising metrics to track performance, strengthen donor relationships, and drive fundraising results.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS: The candidate will possess: • University degree or College diploma in a relevant discipline (e.g., business, communications, law, science or nonprofit management) • Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in major gifts, transformational gifts and\or planned giving with high-net worth donors • Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing an effective donor engagement strategy • Expertise in gift agreements and strategic planning for major gift fundraising, capital campaigns, endowments, and scholarship development • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage senior-level stakeholders and diverse audiences • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build long-term relationships with donors, internal and external stakeholders of the university • Proficiency with donor management software (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) and Microsoft Office Suite • Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines • High level of integrity and professionalism, with the ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment • Willingness to travel for approved donor meetings and events as required • Flexibility to work evenings or weekends when necessary for events or special donor meetings. • Understanding the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and Decolonization and the ability to work respectively with a diverse student, staff, faculty, alumni and donor populations
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: • Relevant fundraising certificate.
Since 1963, the University of Windsor has been a forward-looking community that comes together to study, to learn, to teach, and to serve. Our symbol is the bridge; our vista is cross-border; our commitment is local; and our impact is global. We are a dynamic, inclusive community of higher learning with roots going back more than 160 years and with a future full of promise. In pursuit of the University's commitment to employment equity, members from the designated groups including women, Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), racialized persons/visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity are encouraged to apply and to self-identify. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Recruitment & Workforce Coordinator (employment@uwindsor.ca). Should you require further information on accommodation, please visit the website of the Office of Human Rights, Conflict Resolution and Mediation (OHRCRM).