About MRU
Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, nearly 15,000 credit students choose from 12 bachelor degrees and 36 majors.
Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is “Mohkinstsis,” which we now call the city of Calgary. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.
Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.
About the Mount Royal University Foundation
Although Mount Royal University’s history dates back more than 100 years, our transition from college to university is relatively recent, bringing with it unique and exciting fund development opportunities. We began our last $250 million transformative campaign as a college but finished it as a university. The new strategic plan for the University places a priority focus on fundraising and sets very ambitious targets to triple the total value of scholarships available to students, more than double the size of the endowment portfolio and increase alumni philanthropy exponentially in the coming years. A new and exciting campus master plan will guide the construction of new facilities on campus for the next 20 years.
About the Role
Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Senior Development Officer is responsible for building relationships with major gift prospects and donors and in so doing developing and executing strategies that result in donations to Mount Royal University. The Senior Development Officer carries an integrated portfolio of individual, corporate and foundation donors for annual, major and planned gifts.
Responsibilities
- Create strategies for major gift donor identification, cultivation and solicitation and build relationships with Donors (individuals, corporations, foundations, community organizations and service groups)
- Meet with new and existing potential donors and build internal relationships with institutional leaders, faculty and volunteers
- Support priority funding initiatives and understand and promote institutional priorities in fund development activities
- Build and manage an integrated portfolio of gift and annual scholarship donors and sponsors
- Develop and initiate donor appropriate stewardship plans
- Cultivate and steward existing donors for renewed gifts
- Prepare and coach internal partners/colleagues and volunteers on executing solicitations
- Monitor and track gift agreements, development and execution
- Maintain donor file with relevant correspondence and contact history
- Develop call briefings and debrief memos
- Provide leadership to a specific fundraising area (e.g. Pearls of Wisdom, Conservatory Building, Student Awards, Planned Giving)
- Attend fundraising training and conferences when needed and keep current with fundraising issues and strategies
Qualifications
- Bachelor degree or equivalent
- 6 – 10 years of proven experience in major gifts fundraising within a complex organization
- Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills
- Excellent capacity to anticipate requirements and assess outcomes
- Strong understanding of various fundraising and donor management techniques. This includes being aware of and anticipating possible impacts to and by institution, provincial politics, business trends, social issues, current events, etc.
- A professional fundraising designation is preferred
What We Offer
Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions.
At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.
Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre.
Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees and the public.
A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999.pdf).
