Associate Director, Development, Faculty of Social Sciences at McMaster University

Regular/Temporary Regular

Job Title Associate Director, Development, Faculty of Social Sciences Job ID 73215

Location
Central Campus

Open Date 12/03/2025

Job Type Continuing

Close Date 01/07/2026

Employee Group TMG Favorite Job

Department UA PanUni Adv(Faculties-Units)

Salary Grade/Band Band M

Salary Range $101466.00 - $152200.00 (annual)

Hours per Week 35

Posting Details

Schedule Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Education Level Bachelor's Degree
Career Level Management

Job Description

About McMaster University

Founded in 1887, McMaster University is a research-intensive public university. McMaster is dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being. McMaster is ranked in the world's Top 80 publicly funded universities by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.

With a total student population of more than 33,000, McMaster welcomes students from 120 countries as well as Canada. Home to more than 70 research centres and institutes, McMaster University is comprised of the six faculties of Business (DeGroote School of Business), Engineering, Health Science, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences. McMaster's 30-acre main campus, located in the Westdale neighbourhood of Hamilton, Ontario, is comprised of 300 acres of scenic property at the western end of Lake Ontario, between Toronto and Niagara Falls. McMaster University also has three other regional campuses: Burlington, Kitchener- Waterloo, and Niagara.

The Faculty of Social Sciences

The Faculty of Social Sciences comprises over 200 full and part time faculty and staff members researching and teaching in twelve departments. We’re also home to over 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Our mission is to ask challenging questions, pursue understanding, and work with others to create a more sustainable, just society. We pursue inclusive excellence in our research, education, and service, on campus and beyond, by engaging with diverse peoples, perspectives and ways of knowing. Learn more here.

Advancement at McMaster University

McMaster’s vibrant student experience, world-class research, and community engagement are empowered by the support of thousands of alumni and donors who also believe strongly in McMaster. Together, McMaster’s donors and alumni help make the university what it is today and help nurture the next generation of leaders in our world.

The Advancement leadership team provides overall strategic leadership and direction in the areas of fundraising; developing and building partnerships; and engaging with donors, alumni and stakeholders. The Advancement team also plays a critically important role in advancing McMaster’s strategy, in support of McMaster’s ambitious vision, in partnership with the academic and administrative leaders across the University. The Advancement team has a centralized/decentralized structure, with strategies established and coordinated centrally, along with some programs and services (e.g. Annual Giving, Leadership Giving, Principal Giving, Corporate Giving, Estate Giving & Legacy Planning, Stewardship, overarching Alumni programs, Research & Prospect Analytics, and Gift Processing services), whereas other programs and services are delivered ‘locally’ through decentralized, dedicated Development and Alumni staff embedded within the faculties and units. Together, this structure reflects a collaborative ‘One McMaster’ Approach - ensuring alignment, shared priorities, and seamless partnership across all areas of the University.

Leadership

Lili Litwin, Vice President, University Advancement

Lili Litwin joined McMaster on June 1, 2023, as McMaster’s new Vice-President, University Advancement.

As a leading Canadian advancement expert, Litwin has worked across the research, hospital, charitable and university sectors. In addition to serving as executive director of Advancement at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, she spent five years as president of the St. Michael’s Foundation at St. Michael’s Hospital and Providence Healthcare, Unity Health Toronto. In both roles, she led fundraising campaigns that surpassed their goals, developed strong and diverse advancement teams, and liaised with academic partners on governance and donor stewardship.

Lili graduated from York University with a B.Ed. Her earlier work experience includes time as Vice- President of Development at the Canadian Centre for Diversity and with ONEXONE, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in health and education.

Ashley Downey, Associate Vice-President, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties and Units)

Ashley joined McMaster in May 2024. As an experienced fundraising leader with 15+ years delivering impact within the philanthropic sector, Ashley brings a wealth of experience and strategic leadership to McMaster University Advancement team. Joining from her previous role as Associate Vice-President at St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation, where she worked for 10 years, she has consistently delivered exceptional results, leading critical portfolios including principal and major gifts and planned giving at St. Michael’s.

Her career is marked by a series of successes in driving major fundraising campaigns and fostering collaborative relationships with donors, volunteers, and organizational leaders. Ashley's expertise extends beyond healthcare, having made significant contributions to fundraising efforts at the Royal Ontario Museum and with Peacock Philanthropic Council Inc.

Ashley holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Political Science and Gender Studies from the University of Ottawa and a Graduate Certificate from Humber College in Fundraising and Volunteer Management.

Maryam Latifpoor-Keparoutis, incoming Director, Advancement – Humanities, Social Sciences & Campaign

Maryam is a senior advancement professional with over 30 years of experience in post-secondary education, having held leadership roles at the University of Toronto, the University of Guelph, and the University of Waterloo. She is known for building high-performing teams, cultivating transformational partnerships, and advancing inclusive, mission-driven strategies that support students, faculty, and institutional growth.

A proud alum of the University of Toronto, Maryam’s own journey as an immigrant balancing education, work, and family has shaped her deep commitment to student success, and talent development. She is a passionate philanthropic supporter, and together with her family, has personally invested in initiatives that foster student opportunity and build stronger, more inclusive academic communities.

Jeremiah Hurley, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences

Jeremiah Hurley is Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; a professor and former Chair in the Department of Economics; a member of the Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis, and a member of the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), all at McMaster University. His research on the economics of health and health care systems includes physician behaviour, funding models and resource association in health care, public and private roles in health care financing, financial incentives in health systems, equity in health systems, normative frameworks in health economics, and the application of experimental economic methods in health research. He has published in leading health economic, health policy, and health services research journals and has acted as a consultant to regional, provincial, national and international agencies. He is the author of the Canadian health economics textbook, Health Economics (McGraw-Hill Ryerson).

Katherine Cuff, Interim Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences

Katherine Cuff is a professor in the department of Economics and Interim, Dean for the Faculty of Social Sciences. Katherine has been a member of the McMaster community for 25 years. She brings extensive institutional knowledge and leadership experience to the role of interim Dean, having served two terms on Senate, chaired the Senate Committee on Appointments, and acted as president of the McMaster University Faculty Association (MUFA). She has held a variety of roles within the Faculty of Social Sciences, having served as a member of Faculty Council, the Graduate Curriculum and Policy Committee, and numerous selection committees. Most recently, she served as the faculty’s representative on the University Reputation Committee, and was a member of the steering committee for the Master of Public Policy in Digital Society. Katherine holds an MA in Economics from York University and a PhD in Economics from Queen’s University. She was awarded the Tier II Canada Research Chair in Public Economic Theory for two terms (2009–2019) and was one of McMaster’s inaugural University Scholars.

Job Summary

McMaster University is seeking a proactive and motivated fundraising professional, who will be dedicated to supporting the advancement activities within the Faculty of Social Sciences. Reporting to the Director, Advancement – Humanities, Social Sciences & Campaign, will lead the fundraising strategies for the Faculty of Social Sciences. Working in partnership with the faculty’s’ advancement team, the Associate Director, Development – Social Sciences will work with Deans Katherine Cuff and Jeremiah Hurley to identify key funding priorities for the faculty. The Associate Director, Development will then translate these priorities into clear cases for support, and work with the advancement team in the faculty to identify, cultivate and solicit major gift prospects. The Associate Director, Development will lead a team of two advancement professionals.

The Associate Director will act as the subject matter expert and lead solicitor for the Faculty of Social Sciences. The Associate Director, Development will manage a comprehensive Advancement portfolio, supporting the development of alumni engagement programs and proactively championing partnerships and revenue opportunities to support McMaster’s research and educational goals. The Associate Director will personally focus on securing gifts of $250K+ and work with University Advancement senior leadership on complex gifts of $1M+ involving multiple internal and external partners. Our ideal candidate will have experience fundraising within a campaign environment.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Advancement – Humanities, Social Sciences & Campaign, and working closely with the Dean within the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Associate Vice President, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties & Units), the Advancement team within the Faculty of Social Sciences and other key stakeholders, the Associate Director, Development will:

• Foster a culture of collaboration, integration, and service to support the University’s core research and academic missions.
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and indigeneity through leadership, encouraging inclusive behavior and practices.
• Lead the Faculty of Social Sciences, Advancement team in implementing fundraising plans, pipeline development, stewardship plans and initiatives, and strategies to increase revenue.
• Develop, monitor, evaluate, and measure the Faculty of Social Sciences’ strategic plans to ensure clear priorities and adequate resources align with University Advancement’s goals.
• Collaborate with senior faculty leadership, the Director, Advancement – Humanities, Social Sciences & Campaign and the Associate Vice President, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties & Units) to create advancement plans that align with academic priorities, building a compelling vision and case for support for major and principal gifts.
• Build and lead a high-performance team dedicated to achieving the Faculty’s short and long-term goals.
• Partner with University Advancement’s senior leaders to set goals and objectives, including annual professional development plans for continuous improvement and change readiness.
• Engage with and support volunteer leadership within the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Advancement Leadership

• Commit to achieving University Advancement’s annual fundraising goals, including the Faculty of Social Sciences’ revenue targets.
• Develop and implement plans with clear short- and long-term priorities for university revenue-generating campaigns within the Faculty of Social Sciences.
• Provide expertise and guidance as part of the Faculty of Social Sciences senior administration/operational leaders group as required.
• In partnership with the Associate Vice President, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties & Units) and the Director, Advancement – Humanities, Social Sciences & Campaign, manage the Faculty’s Advancement budget allocation, ensuring resources are prioritized to meet university objectives and outcomes.
• Partner with the Associate Vice President, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties & Units) to enhance the University’s major and principal giving program, developing and implementing strategies to increase new revenue specific to the Faculty of Social sciences.
• Lead campaign strategies for the Faculty of Social Sciences, including designing, implementing, and managing development activities.
• Monitor campaign and initiative progress, recommending changes as needed, and reviewing solicitation strategies.
• Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of the Faculty of Social Sciences’ approved research and teaching activities, needs, and priorities, matching them with potential supporters’ interests.
• Collaborate with University Advancement to support major gift announcements, events, stewardship requirements and related activities.
• Represent the Faculty of Social Sciences and University at relevant community and University events, locally, nationally and internationally.
• Work closely with University Advancement to support annual financial goals and University Advancement’s mission and strategic goals.
• Promote a culture of philanthropy within the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Team Leadership

• Oversee human resources activities for direct reports, including recruiting, onboarding, goal setting, performance management, development, and engagement initiatives.
• Motivate and mentor a team of development professionals; and be a collegial and collaborative colleague, offering leadership and support to colleagues across University Advancement, faculties and units.
• Attend University Advancement meetings to update on individual and team activities and stay informed on development activities.
• Work with University Advancement to plan and execute McMaster’s next comprehensive Fundraising Campaign. Play the lead role in executing campaign strategies for the Faculty of Social Sciences by designing, implementing, and managing development activities related to the campaign.

Relationship Development

• Assist University Advancement’s senior leaders in engaging the President, Vice Presidents, senior university leadership, and volunteers in cultivating and soliciting principal gift supporters, ensuring appropriate briefings and follow-up actions.
• Collaborate with McMaster’s Vice-Presidents, Deans, University Advancement and volunteer leaders in the Faculty of Social Sciences to identify and qualify new major gift supporters and develop engagement strategies.
• Liaise with the Vice-President of University Advancement, academic leadership, and advancement leaders on fundraising initiatives, including joint solicitation strategies and shared gifts.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit support from a portfolio of prospects, donors and alumni, collaborating with senior academic leaders, senior Advancement leadership, and key volunteers to increase engagement and financial investment.

Administrative

• Ensure compliance with fundraising and revenue generation policies and procedures.
• In partnership with the Associate Vice President, Pan-University Advancement and the Director, Advancement – Humanities, Social Sciences & Campaign, responsible for the allocation of advancement budget within the Faculty of Social Sciences and accountable to ensure resources are allocated and prioritized to meet university objectives and short and long-term outcomes.
• Timely update and report activities on the donor database (Ellucian Advance Web).

Qualifications & Competencies

• Proven track record in securing and closing $1M+ and complex donations and partnerships.
• Successful experience in major giving fundraising, preferably in post-secondary or complex organizations.
• Committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and indigeneity, applying this lens to fundraising leadership, strategy, and tactics.
• Experience leading and managing high-performing, donor-centered development professionals.
• Expertise in attracting and maintaining donor and supporter relationships.
• Donor-centered, goal-oriented, with a reputation for integrity and transparency.
• Comfortable and credible working with senior academic leaders, donors, and volunteers.
• Competent in understanding Canadian tax legislation and the philanthropic landscape.
• Able to work at high strategic levels within the Faculty of Social Sciences, gaining and maintaining trust, and translating strategy into action.
• Experienced in staffing, supporting, and partnering with senior leaders on fundraising visits.
• Superior skills in critical analysis, judgment, decision-making, and relationship-building.
• Visionary with strategic thinking and a creative, entrepreneurial mindset.
• High initiative, tact, and diplomacy.
• Effective in a complex organization valuing collaboration, individuality, and creativity.
• Quickly develops a deep understanding of a research-intensive university’s mission.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills; skilled in writing proposals and development materials.
• Strong administrative skills in human resources, volunteer, and budget management, with financial acumen and comfort with data analytics.
• Proficient with computers and relational donor databases (Advance).

Working at McMaster

At McMaster, you will find a community of talented individuals who are inspired by the University’s Mission and the sense of purpose this mission brings. It is through these talented individuals, their creativity and drive for results that McMaster University has earned its reputation as being Canada’s “most innovative” university.

Leaders in The Management Group (TMG) are vital contributors to McMaster’s renowned culture of creativity, innovation and excellence. They demonstrate the value they place on their leaders with a highly competitive total rewards package featuring compensation, well-being, growth and inclusion provisions.

McMaster University strives to embody the values of integrity, quality, inclusiveness and teamwork, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. Building an inclusive community with a shared purpose is something that McMaster University prioritizes. They believe it is important for their workforce to reflect the diversity of their students and community. The diversity of their workforce is at the core of their innovation and creativity and is a key area that strengthens their research capabilities and teaching excellence.

Target Hire Date: January 2026

The salary band presents a minimum and a maximum range, please note that salary is based on level of experience, education and alignment with internal equity.

To review our total compensation, please visit: Total Rewards for TMG - Human Resources

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Hybrid Work Language

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.