Director, Campaign & Development

Closes: May 18, 2026

Please apply by submitting your résumé and cover letter to: hr.stmikes@utoronto.ca

In the email subject line, please include your full name and the title of the position title for which you are applying. Applications will only be considered if both a cover letter and resume are combined into a single Microsoft Word or PDF document and submitted to the email address above.

 

Position Title: Director, Campaign & Development
Department: Office of Advancement
Supervisor: Executive Director, Advancement
Employee Group: Non-Union
Pay Band: PM3
Salary Range: $103,665 to $115,183 per annum, commensurate with skills and experience
Hours: 35 hours per week. Standard 9:00am to 5:00pm work schedule (full time) with occasional evening/weekend hours.
Terms: Full-Time / Permanent
Posting Date: May 4, 2026
Closing Date: May 18, 2026

 

PROFILE

The University of St. Michael’s College (USMC), federated with the University of Toronto, is one of the most distinctive academic communities within one of the world’s leading universities. Rooted in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and committed to the pursuit of knowledge, meaning, and truth, St. Michael’s offers a uniquely personal and values-driven experience within a global research environment.

Home to more than 5,400 undergraduate students within the Faculty of Arts & Science, the College brings together students from across disciplines into a close-knit academic community. St. Michael’s acclaimed interdisciplinary programs—including Book & Media Studies, Celtic Studies, Christianity and Culture, and Medieval Studies—draw on the College’s intellectual heritage, exceptional faculty, and distinctive collections.

At the heart of the student experience is an environment intentionally designed to support both academic success and personal formation. From one of the busiest libraries on the St. George campus and specialized academic supports in writing and learning strategy, to a vibrant network of student groups, mentorship opportunities, and co-curricular programming, the College fosters a culture in which students are known, supported, and challenged to grow. Situated in the centre of downtown Toronto, St. Michael’s offers a true “home within a university” for both commuter and residential students—an increasingly rare combination of scale and belonging that shapes graduates who are not only accomplished, but also engaged, thoughtful, and committed to the common good.

Supported by a global network of more than 40,000 alumni and friends, USMC is entering a critical period of campaign preparation and growth. As the College advances its strategic plan, St. Mike’s 180: Rooted in the Future, and builds toward its next major campaign, the Advancement team is expanding its leadership capacity to strengthen philanthropic engagement and support the priorities that define the St. Michael’s experience.

 

POSITION SUMMARY 

Reporting to the Executive Director, Advancement, the Director, Campaign & Development will play a central role in shaping and executing the University’s campaign strategy while also serving as a senior leader within the Development team. In the initial phase, the role will focus on driving campaign readiness—advancing priority-setting, strengthening the case for support, building pipeline, and establishing the structure and discipline required for a successful campaign. Over time, the role will evolve into broader leadership of the Development function, with responsibility for advancing major gift activity, supporting team performance, and ensuring coordinated execution across fundraising initiatives.

This is a highly strategic and hands-on role, suited to an experienced fundraiser who can operate at both a leadership and execution level in a dynamic and evolving environment.

 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Campaign Strategy & Execution:

  • Lead the planning, development, and execution of campaign readiness activities related to funding priorities, campaign and fundraising plans, timelines, and activity management
  • Align campaign strategy with institutional priorities and key projects
  • Support the identification, engagement, and activation of campaign leadership and volunteers
  • Establish structure, discipline, and momentum across campaign workstreams

Major Gift Fundraising:

As outlined in the overview, this role begins with a primary focus on campaign leadership and evolves into a fully integrated senior role within the Development team, with increasing responsibility for engagement, fundraising, and stewardship.

  • Build and manage a portfolio of prospects over time, across leadership and major giving levels
  • Develop and execute tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
  • Partner with the Executive Director and colleagues on top-tier donor strategy and key solicitations
  • Build strong, trust-based relationships with donors, alumni, and friends of the University

Development Team Leadership:

  • Provide direct supervision and leadership to the Development team, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and ongoing coaching and support
  • Establish and reinforce systems to monitor, evaluate, and drive individual and team performance
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and achievement
  • Mentor and guide team members and colleagues on prospect strategy, proposal development, and donor engagement

Pipeline & Program Development:

  • Strengthen the major gift pipeline in collaboration with Advancement and University colleagues
  • Support the development of integrated strategies across giving levels, building pathways from engagement to major and planned giving
  • Identify and advance opportunities for special fundraising initiatives and priority projects

Donor Strategy, Materials & Stewardship:

  • Lead the development of a cohesive stewardship approach that recognizes both project-based and lifetime giving
  • Ensure consistent, strategic stewardship practices across leadership and major donors
  • Lead the development of high-quality donor materials, including proposals, reports, and correspondence, personally drafting key pieces and guiding their development in collaboration with colleagues as appropriate
  • Contribute to the articulation and integration of compelling Advancement messaging across communications

Operations, Planning & Coordination:

  • Establish clear planning processes and ensure alignment across Advancement functions
  • Monitor and report progress against fundraising goals and campaign milestones
  • Ensure accurate tracking and documentation of donor activity within the CRM system (Arbor)
  • Identify gaps, risks, and opportunities, and proactively implement solutions

Ambassadorial Role:

  • Serve as an ambassador, articulating the importance of philanthropy
  • Represent Advancement professionally in internal and external settings, building confidence among stakeholders and partners

 

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (or an equivalent combination of education and experience)
  • CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation is considered an asset

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in fundraising, including major gifts, legacy giving, donor stewardship, and foundation relations
  • Familiarity with the post-secondary environment and the role of Advancement in building and sustaining institutional relationships
  • Demonstrated leadership and initiative, with the ability to influence and guide others
  • Proven ability to operate at both strategic and execution levels
  • Experience managing employees; experience in a unionized environment would be an asset
  • Experience mentoring or guiding colleagues within a team environment
  • Strong understanding of donor strategy, pipeline development, and moves management
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including proposal development and donor correspondence
  • High degree of judgment, discretion, and professionalism

Key Attributes:

  • Strategic thinker who translates vision into action
  • Strong executor who brings structure, clarity, and momentum
  • Highly organized, with the ability to plan and drive execution
  • Confident and credible with senior stakeholders and donors
  • Collaborative and team-oriented, with a focus on enabling others
  • Adaptable and comfortable operating in an evolving, campaign-oriented environment
  • Creative and thoughtful in developing and advancing new ideas

 

POSITION EVOLUTION

This role is designed to evolve over time. In its initial phase, the primary focus will be on campaign readiness and execution. As the campaign advances, the role will expand to include broader leadership responsibilities and direct fundraising accountability, including management of a major gift portfolio, supporting team performance, and driving coordinated progress across Development, Stewardship, and Alumni Affairs.

 

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

The University of St. Michael’s College is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal people of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, people who take a religiously informed view of human experience, and others who may contribute to further diversification of ideas.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you require accessibility accommodation, please contact Human Resources at hr.stmikes@utoronto.ca

  • Department