Annual Giving Officer

Department: Advancement and External Relations

Job Type: Continuing

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year)

Campus: Waterloo

Reports to: Director, Annual Giving

Employee Group: WLUSA

Application Deadline: May 7 2025

Requisition ID: 9220

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier's thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Position Summary

This position will be responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating fundraising strategies to increase annual giving level gifts and pledges from various internal and external constituencies, as well as the effective day-to-day operation of the Annual Giving Call Centre, the overall supervision of outbound calling processes, and the co-ordination of calling staff. The incumbent is responsible for the effective planning and implementation of call centre strategies and web-based fundraising, including but not limited to iModules related programs such as HAWKstarter (Laurier's crowdfunding platform), Adopt-a-Hawk and tribute & memorial giving.

The Development Officer reports directly to the Associate Director, Annual Giving and will develop annual performance goals for each program that will include cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship activities as well as financial targets for new gifts and pledges. The incumbent is responsible for recruiting, training, retaining and recognizing student staff to achieve program goals. The incumbent oversees five student call centre supervisors and a complement of approximately 70 part-time student callers. The formal reporting relationship encompasses regular individual and departmental meetings to review the strategic development and implementation of annual plans, industry best practices, and status of fundraising activities, prospect management, program development, volunteer management, information systems management, and operational issues.

There will be considerable interaction with members of the Development, Advancement Services, and Alumni Relations teams, as well as with other individuals and groups throughout the Laurier community (including alumni, students, faculty, staff, retirees and friends of the university). At times this position supports other activities within different portfolio's on the Annual Giving team, and is looked upon to assist during busy times, times of transition, or as required. This can include assisting with face-to-face fundraising, and the planning and implementation of direct response solicitation strategies for programs including but not limited to; alumni, parents, and friends of the institution.

This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Waterloo Campus. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo Campus, the Brantford Campus, the Toronto office and external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

This position is required to work its normal hours in a flexible schedule that involves evening and weekend work and some travel.

Accountabilities

Fundraising:

• Develops strategies to maximize annual giving, to determine appropriate solicitation, segmentation, recognition, and ongoing stewardship to acquire and ensure continuing support;

• Responsible for ongoing analysis of the prospect base to ensure, with the Associate Director, Annual Giving that all prospects are included in annual solicitation plans each year;

• Provides support and input for annual giving direct response strategies including solicitation calls, direct mail, and e-communication as well as web-based fundraising programs using iModules such as HAWKstarter, Adopt-a-hawk and tribute & memorial programs.

• Maximizes the call centre's use and capacity, identifying improved efficiencies and new processes, to achieve annual goals;

• Produces, distributes and analyzes statistical reports outlining annual giving results and call centre employee performance;

• Conducts individual solicitation and stewardship activities as part of the Annual Giving team.

• Identifies and analyzes giving potential of prospects by analyzing previous program data and performance, and evaluating available information;

• Identifies prospective donors for fundraising initiatives by matching University needs with goals, constituencies and segments;

Planning/Scheduling:

• Implements strategies, objectives and schedules for Annual Giving initiatives based on research, knowledge of approved priorities, and the generation, understanding and sharing of reports and data derived from the Call Centre software and alumni database.

• Schedules the activities of approximately 30+ student callers;

Donor Relations:

• Assists in the effective stewardship of Annual Giving donations and ensures confidentiality is maintained for all donor and prospect information.

• The incumbent ensures that all call centre programming and procedures are donor-focused and service-oriented;

Alumni Relations:

• Develops and implements programs that engage selected alumni through written communications and telephone communications, in an effort to develop and sustain relationships with the University.

• Responsible for ensuring all external staff (including Deans, faculty members, etc.) are provided with organized opportunities to assist with, and participate in, call centre activities (e. g. training sessions).

• Ensures that callers are well informed and are able to act as ambassadors by relaying information that is accurate and in accordance with information provided by the University.

• Provides the appropriate sources with information requested by donors and alumni to motivate and encourage good relationships and acknowledge philanthropic interests.

• Assists in the delivery of Alumni programming where required;

Communications:

• In conjunction with the Associate Director, Annual Giving, provides strategic direction into the development of communication materials to support the Annual Giving program. These materials include brochures, presentations, letters to donors/prospects, and reports to internal and external constituencies.

• Utilizes available e-Communications tools and existing social networks to accomplish program objectives

• Provides information on Annual Giving for external and internal publications;

Internal Relationships:

• Develops collaborative working relationships with a wide variety of University staff to effectively implement Annual Giving programs, prepare appropriate communication materials, identify and nurture relationships which support strategies, and coordinate fundraising programs.

• Responsible for the recruitment, training and management of approximately 70 part-time student callers and five student supervisors. Human resource management responsibilities include: the development and delivery of appropriate recruitment and training materials, effective interviewing, comprehensive training, mentoring and incentive programs, effective staff evaluation and performance vehicles, regular goal setting and review, and effective shift scheduling;

Systems Management:

• Effectively uses the available technology to design and modify reports to effectively relay information for internal and external audiences on Annual Giving progress of all cases/appeals, including numerical and financial statistics as well as constituency results.

• In addition, the incumbent effectively uses and modifies the calling software to manage, segment and assign calling data, to monitor call centre productivity and individual caller performance and to work efficiently with the central database with respect to gift processing, records maintenance, and research processes;

Policy Development:

• Participates in the development of policies as processes are revised and enhanced, and as new processes are developed.

• Makes recommendations on Annual Giving policies for Faculties and the University as required. Recommends policies to manage the Call Centre;

Professional Development:

• Commits to ongoing professional development through reading current literature, attending professional meetings, participating in professional associations, and developing working relationships with professionals at other institutions.

• Collects comparative data and program information for purposes of evaluation, benchmarking, goal setting, and as a source of new ideas;

University Representative:

• Represents the University in a professional, appropriate, informed and consistent manner. Understands and is committed to the goals of the University and is able to articulate that commitment persuasively, both verbally and in writing.

• Pursues opportunities to keep updated on changes at the University, and is aware of current internal and external communications, controversial topics, and the University's position on issues in order to accurately represent the University.

Operational Activities:

• Participates as a full member of the External Department in departmental activities, representing the department internally and externally, developing operational procedures, and working as a member of the team;

Financial Management:

• Contributes to, and monitors the budget for direct response activities including the call centre in consultation with the Associate Director, Annual Giving.

Qualifications

• University degree plus three (3) years work experience in a call centre environment, preferably in a University setting;

• Fundraising experience required, with a strong working knowledge and understanding of annual giving programs;

• Experience with Campus Call, Smart Call, or relevant calling software is an asset;

• Experience in program planning, creative development and implementation, preferably in a University setting;

• Knowledge of customer service/donor relations, and sales and marketing are also valuable. Volunteer management background and experience including previous experience recruiting, training and motivating student staff;

• Proven analytical, communication, organizational and planning skills are essential, along with strong computer skills, including a sound knowledge of spreadsheet packages, word processing, and Annual Giving software packages;

• Ability to manage very tight deadlines on multiple projects is key to the incumbent's success;

• This position requires an awareness of long-term strategies and to work beyond short-term challenges toward these long-term goals;

• Ability to take initiative, follow directions and work collaboratively with academic and administrative staff, alumni, students, volunteers, and other University "friends";

• Excellent interpersonal, communication (both written and verbal), public speaking and presentation, facilitation and negotiation skills;

• Excellent interpersonal skills and volunteer management abilities;

• Team leadership skills and the ability to work extremely well in a team environment;

• An affinity for, and understanding of, the University environment;

• Tact, diplomacy and confidentiality required at all times;

• This position is required to work its normal hours in a flexible schedule that involves evening and weekend work.

Hours of Work

This is a full-time, continuing position. Regular hours of work are 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. Some flexibility may be required including evening and weekend work. When possible, the manager will adjust hours so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

Compensation

Job Level: F

Rate of Pay: $45.34 - $47.94 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date to $51.82
per hour

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier's core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.