Development Manager - Athletics, Student & Campus Experience at University of Guelph

Location

Guelph, ON, CA, N1G 2W1

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Primary Category Page: Staff and Management

Division: Alumni Affairs and Development

Requisition ID: 2524

Department: Major Gift Advancement

This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

Temporary full-time from 08/03/2026 to 08/03/2027

Temporary Absence of the Regular Incumbent

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.

Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

General Purpose

Alumni Affairs & Development (AA&D)’s purpose is to maximize philanthropic support for the University of Guelph’s mission of creating unique solutions for the challenges facing our world. We achieve this purpose by building the kind of deep and sustained relationships with our donors, alumni and friends that increase awareness of, engagement with, and investment in the University of Guelph’s work. As a member of this campus-wide team, the Development Manager, Athletics, Student & Campus Experience advances philanthropic support for priorities that enhance the student and campus experience, including Athletics as well as broader student-focused and campus-wide initiatives. The role epitomizes the department’s shared values of respect, empowerment, integrity, appreciation, and forward focus.

The University of Guelph is currently planning to launch its first fundraising campaign since 2014. The campaign aims to expand on the University’s recent fundraising growth so that AA&D becomes a team that consistently raises $75 M a year by 2030. By aligning donor passions with the university's ambitious goals, the campaign will boost revenue, elevate the university's global profile, deepen donor relationships, and create a highly developed culture of philanthropy across the University community. Institutional leaders and volunteers will be highly engaged in advocating for the university's global impact and the vital role of philanthropy in achieving this vision.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Associate Director Development, Student & Campus Experience and working in partnership with the Advancement team, you will be a relationship builder responsible for the personal solicitation of donations, estate gifts and sponsorships in the range of $25,000 to $500,000. This role supports a portfolio of fundraising priorities that enhance the student and campus experience, including Athletics as a key area of focus as well as student life, wellness, and other campus-wide initiatives.

As part of our mission to build lifelong relationships within our community, the Development Manager, Athletics, Student & Campus Experience will play a key role in connecting donors with meaningful opportunities to support priorities that strengthen the student and campus experience across the University. This includes engaging alumni, grateful clients, corporations, and friends of the University of Guelph to build lasting philanthropic support. The Development Manager will personally generate support through relationship-building and strategic engagement, with a focus on both advancing current funding opportunities and identifying new prospects to strengthen and grow our donor pipeline.

This position carries an annual fundraising goal that may evolve year to year, depending on institutional priorities and donor opportunities. Flexibility and adaptability will be essential to success, as will the ability to connect authentically and confidently with donors and prospects from diverse backgrounds. More specifically, the responsibilities of this role include:

Identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors and prospects through the fundraising cycle;

Maintaining a personal prospect portfolio of 80-100 cleared donors/prospects, undertaking 10-15 face-to-face meetings per month with donors/prospects;

Preparing briefing materials to support Senior Administration (President, VPs, AVPs, Dean) fundraising activity;

Collaborating with the Director of Major Gift Advancement, Associate Director Development, the Director of Athletics, the Senior Development Manager, and other campus partners to identify and advance fundraising priorities that will resonate with donors, including scholarships, sponsorships, student-focused initiatives, and capital projects;

Creating and presenting materials to advance fundraising asks such as: generic cases for support to more customized proposals;

Partnering with Annual Giving to support integrated fundraising initiatives, including the Giving Tuesday campaign, by identifying relevant priorities, prospects, and donor engagement opportunities that align with student and campus experience fundraising goals;

Negotiating the closure of major gifts, including the creation of gift agreements and other supporting documentation;

Actively developing the planned giving pipeline working in partnership with the Associate Director and the University of Guelph’s Gift Planning Manager.

Working collaboratively across campus to identify, develop, and advance philanthropic opportunities that support an exceptional student and campus experience;

Representing AA&D at a high volume of events and donor engagement activities connected to Athletics, student life, and campus-wide priorities, including some evening and weekend commitments as required.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, ideally with two years of fundraising experience.

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation is preferred.

Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.

Proven ability to work independently and take initiative to meet goals and deadlines.

Strong problem-solving skills and persistence in navigating new challenges.

Capacity to manage competing priorities and respond effectively in dynamic situations.

Experience working successfully as part of a team in a fast-paced, complex environment.

Comfort and effectiveness in engaging with stakeholders at all levels, including senior executives.

Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively, both in writing and in person.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with donor databases and/or CRM systems.

Availability to attend events on occasional evenings and weekends

Please include a cover letter along with your resume in your application.

Why choose the University of Guelph

Comprehensive Extended Health Care Benefits: Immediate enrollment in extended health to cover yourself and your family

Time off: Strong vacation allocation, floater days, and paid time off during the December closure to ensure that you are at your best

Wellness: In addition to extensive wellness programming, the University offers a yearly flexible spending credit that can be allocated to any of the following: Health Spending, Wellness or Professional Development

Learning & Development: Learning and development curriculum and other professional growth opportunities

On-campus Activities: Discounts on food and apparel, fitness programming, access to networking events and team building opportunities

Improve Life: Work that directly impacts a brighter future by turning knowledge into action

The university provides a flexible work arrangement. This position is required to be fulfilled both remotely and on-campus (Guelph Campus).

Employee Type: Regular

Position Number: 10392026

Classification: P&M FT- Band 04

Professional/Managerial Salary Bands

The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.

• Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 06/17/2026

Closing Date: 07/08/2026