Assistant Dean, Development

Location – This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work

Position Summary

Reporting jointly to the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Director, Faculty Development, College of Natural and Applied Sciences and the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CNAS & CSSH), the Assistant Dean, Development leads the Engineering development team, and works closely and collaboratively with the Dean, the Director, Faculty Development, other senior administrators in the faculty, college, and the university, administrative and academic teams, industry partners, individuals, and advisory boards to establish and implement the Faculty of Engineering’s strategic development and fundraising initiatives. The Assistant Dean, Development holds a senior management position within the faculty that fosters strong personal and professional philanthropic relationships that result in contributions from individuals and organizations; and serves as a trusted resource, advocate, and spokesperson for institutional and faculty fundraising efforts.

The Assistant Dean, Development is responsible for providing leadership in philanthropic and development activities within the Dean’s office. They plan, lead, supervise, and execute fundraising strategies and activities that enhance the philanthropic profile of the Faculty of Engineering and the University of Alberta, increasing individual, community, and corporate support to ensure the faculty is recognized as a leader in engineering education and research. They are responsible for building broad-based private support for the faculty through the management of comprehensive programs, including major and transformational gifts, by developing relationships with alumni, friends, corporations and foundations, and by leading a team of development professionals in meeting their fundraising goals for the faculty. Working collaboratively with Donor Relations, they are also responsible to drive forward donor-centred stewardship for the faculty and serve as a strategic partner with Alumni Relations to implement a strategic development program. The Assistant Dean, Development works closely with other faculty, college and university leaders to build strong, supportive relationships with its worldwide community of students, alumni, public, and corporate communities.

The Assistant Dean, Development, manages a portfolio of approximately 75-80 prospective donors with the capacity to make commitments of $500,000-$5M+. As a senior fundraising resource in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, they work independently and creatively to raise money for institutional and faculty priorities by developing funding proposals, negotiating and structuring complex gifts, and ensuring donor interests align with college strategies. They are also responsible for preparing effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans—often involving colleagues, deans, vice provosts, faculty leadership, and volunteers—and ensuring the timely capture and recording of all related activity data for the assigned prospect pool.

The Faculty of Engineering is one of North America’s top engineering schools, known for innovation, collaboration, and impact. It fosters an exceptional student experience through a holistic approach that combines technical excellence with emotional intelligence. With strong community engagement, interdisciplinary research, and a commitment to societal well-being, the faculty prepares students to lead in a rapidly evolving, global engineering landscape.

Leads the strategic development and execution of faculty fundraising:

• As a senior fundraiser with significant experience in a post-secondary environment, the Assistant Dean, Development will be expected to hold an active donor portfolio, managing complex relationships with multi-interest stakeholders
• Provides strategic leadership and direction to the faculty’s fundraising team to guide development activity, inspire accountability, success, continuous professional growth and attract philanthropic contributions to the Faculty of Engineering
• Manages a high-performing team of fundraising professionals who are focused on building engaging, purpose-driven relationships with our academic and research leaders; our alumni; our learners; and our community of donors, partners and prospective supporters
• In partnership with the Dean and the Director, Faculty Development leads the planning and development of fundraising priorities and projects, including the development of prospective campaigns, prospect pipelines to support them and ensuring effective communications and marketing requirements are identified and implemented in building compelling cases for support
• Reports regularly to the Dean and the Director, Faculty Development, on progress toward annual fundraising targets, including quarterly updates and annual performance evaluations
• Oversees strategy development, plans, activity, and supporting materials to ensure an excellent donor experience, including preparing effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for current and prospective donors
• Provides expert guidance and advice as a member of the Faculty’s leadership team in establishing strategic development initiatives, key partnership strategies and goals for the Faculty of Engineering, alongside leading the engagement between donors and Faculty academic leaders
• Identify and engage volunteers as advisors to faculty fundraising strategies as appropriate
• Represents the Faculty on university-wide fundraising strategies and joint initiatives with other faculties
• Serves as a key stakeholder alongside Communications and Alumni Relations Partners on communication strategies with alumni and donors through various engagement events and publications, and provides advice and appropriate vision and oversight on the implementation of all faculty-related development communications
• Provides appropriate briefing materials to the Dean and other faculty academic leaders to execute strategies with donors; creates and executes plans to involve the Dean in face-to-face fundraising visits, ideally with the faculty’s top prospects, also scheduling visits with other faculty leaders as appropriate (e.g. heads of departments)
• Works to match donor interests with institutional and Faculty priorities, develops funding proposals and negotiates and structures complex gifts to the Faculty
• Works collaboratively with all University Development and other External Relations central partners with responsibilities related to the Faculty of Engineering, including, but not limited to, the faculty’s Communications partner; Alumni Relations partner; Events partner; Donor Relations and Engagement partner; and colleagues who work in the areas of Corporate and Foundation Relations; Planned Giving; Annual Giving; the Office of the Recording Secretary; Prospect Management and Prospect Research; the Scholarships, Awards and Financial Support office; and partners within the Research Services Office

• Undergraduate university degree required, graduate degree preferred.
• Seven or more years of experience in major or planned gift fundraising with a track record of closing gifts of $5 million+, preferably in higher education.
• Related experience in sales, financial services and business development will be considered.
• A strategic high-level thinker with an extensive background in managing a high-performing team.
• Ability to coach and brief organizational leaders on fundraising activities, including operational planning, objective setting, and establishment of fundraising priorities.
• Experience in working with communications, marketing, stewardship and engagement, and alumni relations teams with a focus on building strong, established and engaging relationships with the philanthropic and alumni community.
• Knowledge of a variety of fundraising tools and strategies for major gift fundraising and demonstrated experience with activities throughout the giving cycle, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Interest in all aspects of education and a dedication to promoting the university’s fundraising priorities through developing excellent relationships with faculty and academic leaders, volunteers, and representatives from Development & Alumni Relations.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and commitment to engaging with these initiatives; a track record of success in moving forward these agendas in meaningful and impactful ways.
• Demonstrated a high level of political acumen, integrity, discretion, decisiveness, and professional commitment, and the ability to build relationships, communicate, influence, advocate, and negotiate with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Skilled decision-making, including the ability to make decisions with the appropriate level of consultation and transparency expected in an academic institution.
• Ability to meet deadlines and juggle competing priorities in a high-paced environment.

• Travel to visit donors and prospective donors is required.

Application Instructions

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This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

In accordance with the Handbook of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded), this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary which will be commensurate with qualifications.