Job Description
Description
The Office of Medicine Development within VP Development and Alumni is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Director of Development.
The Cumming School of Medicine's Development Office is a major business unit of both the University of Calgary's Advancement team and the Cumming School of Medicine. Its role is to raise funds and steward donors on behalf of both Cumming School of Medicine-specific priorities and University of Calgary priorities, as identified by jointly owned and operated entities such as Institutes and Departments and approved by the parent organizations. The Cumming School of Medicine's Development Office also plays a significant role working with numerous external funding partners on projects of mutual interest and ownership.
The Director of Development is a senior position reporting to the Senior Director of Development, Cumming School of Medicine. The Director of Development will be responsible for fund development activities and is involved in strategic planning that will guide successful development outcomes. The Director has access to highly sensitive and confidential information, requiring the ability to make discretionary decisions which impact fund development programs and services. The impact of decisions made by this position will be University wide. This position is responsible for directly managing a significant number of key donor relationships and driving a significant portion of the School's annual fund raising budget
The complexity, scope and expectations around the Cumming School of Medicine Fund Development portfolio are at a very senior level.
As a Director of Development for the Cumming School of Medicine, your primary purpose is to be accountable and responsible for the short and long-term planning, development, delivery and evaluation of major gift fund raising efforts on behalf of the Cumming School, and the University. You will be directly involved in the development and implementation of procedures that impact the School's fundraising, which will also impact the University. You will also identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors on behalf of the School and in collaboration with its partners.
The position is expected to exercise independent managerial discretion in the development of strategic and annual plans to engage sponsors and donors in the development program. This individual has independent discretion and operates across all aspects of typical managerial decisions.
This position is accountable to develop strategy for business development to ensure funds are available to achieve the goals and objectives as established through the fundraising priorities process of the Cumming School of Medicine.
Maintaining professional relationships with donors and demonstration of appropriate stewardship of philanthropic investment is vital to the success of this role and to the school. The ability to build strong relationships with community leaders and stakeholders is critical to the financial success of the school and the Development Office.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Development and implementation of strategic fund raising plans.
Develop, build and maintain key relationships with the members of the medical school, staff and various University departments. The position requires that you provide mentorship to faculty members, who may/may not have previous fundraising experience;
Secure donations at the major gift level, $25,000 and higher, in support of identified fundraising priorities;
Build strong relationships with donors; develop stewardship and ongoing cultivation plans;
Develop prospect lists, and assist faculty members and volunteers in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors;
Recruit and support community volunteers; build and maintain effective relationships with existing volunteers;
Ensure confidentiality and strong sense of professional ethics, demonstrating honesty, integrity, high standards, and understanding and commitment to an academic environment;
Work with central Advancement Office to integrate and coordinate fundraising planning and execution with that of the University as a whole.
Plan to achieve fund raising targets, while recognizing that achievement of financial targets is not the only measurement of success for a fundraiser. Define and achieve other measurable targets with the Senior Director of Development.
Consult with the Senior Director of Development on all matters pertaining to fund development.
Practice ethical fund raising in keeping with the University's mission and values and in accordance with charitable giving standards.
Ensure ongoing familiarity with current trends in fund development.
Ongoing personal development as a professional fundraiser.
Ensuring confidentiality related to donations and the development program is critical.
Qualifications / Requirements:
A university degree in a related field, preferably in Business, Communications, or other related field with a minimum of 7-10 years fundraising experience. Previous experience working within the non-profit sector, a post-secondary educational setting or a large, complex organization is preferred.
Demonstrated consistent experience in complex major gift (>$100,000) solicitations.
Proven ability to build and manage ongoing relationships with donors and community leaders
Proven leadership capability.
Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
Strong listening and negotiation skills.
Sound judgment and decision-making capabilities and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Excellent organizational skills.
The ability to coach and train people in the area of fundraising.
Application Deadline: May 25, 2026.
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level 4 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse ****** orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (oic@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
The Office of Medicine Development within VP Development and Alumni is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Director of Development.
The Cumming School of Medicine's Development Office is a major business unit of both the University of Calgary's Advancement team and the Cumming School of Medicine. Its role is to raise funds and steward donors on behalf of both Cumming School of Medicine-specific priorities and University of Calgary priorities, as identified by jointly owned and operated entities such as Institutes and Departments and approved by the parent organizations. The Cumming School of Medicine's Development Office also plays a significant role working with numerous external funding partners on projects of mutual interest and ownership.
The Director of Development is a senior position reporting to the Senior Director of Development, Cumming School of Medicine. The Director of Development will be responsible for fund development activities and is involved in strategic planning that will guide successful development outcomes. The Director has access to highly sensitive and confidential information, requiring the ability to make discretionary decisions which impact fund development programs and services. The impact of decisions made by this position will be University wide. This position is responsible for directly managing a significant number of key donor relationships and driving a significant portion of the School's annual fund raising budget
The complexity, scope and expectations around the Cumming School of Medicine Fund Development portfolio are at a very senior level.
As a Director of Development for the Cumming School of Medicine, your primary purpose is to be accountable and responsible for the short and long-term planning, development, delivery and evaluation of major gift fund raising efforts on behalf of the Cumming School, and the University. You will be directly involved in the development and implementation of procedures that impact the School's fundraising, which will also impact the University. You will also identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors on behalf of the School and in collaboration with its partners.
The position is expected to exercise independent managerial discretion in the development of strategic and annual plans to engage sponsors and donors in the development program. This individual has independent discretion and operates across all aspects of typical managerial decisions.
This position is accountable to develop strategy for business development to ensure funds are available to achieve the goals and objectives as established through the fundraising priorities process of the Cumming School of Medicine.
Maintaining professional relationships with donors and demonstration of appropriate stewardship of philanthropic investment is vital to the success of this role and to the school. The ability to build strong relationships with community leaders and stakeholders is critical to the financial success of the school and the Development Office.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Development and implementation of strategic fund raising plans.
Develop, build and maintain key relationships with the members of the medical school, staff and various University departments. The position requires that you provide mentorship to faculty members, who may/may not have previous fundraising experience;
Secure donations at the major gift level, $25,000 and higher, in support of identified fundraising priorities;
Build strong relationships with donors; develop stewardship and ongoing cultivation plans;
Develop prospect lists, and assist faculty members and volunteers in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors;
Recruit and support community volunteers; build and maintain effective relationships with existing volunteers;
Ensure confidentiality and strong sense of professional ethics, demonstrating honesty, integrity, high standards, and understanding and commitment to an academic environment;
Work with central Advancement Office to integrate and coordinate fundraising planning and execution with that of the University as a whole.
Plan to achieve fund raising targets, while recognizing that achievement of financial targets is not the only measurement of success for a fundraiser. Define and achieve other measurable targets with the Senior Director of Development.
Consult with the Senior Director of Development on all matters pertaining to fund development.
Practice ethical fund raising in keeping with the University's mission and values and in accordance with charitable giving standards.
Ensure ongoing familiarity with current trends in fund development.
Ongoing personal development as a professional fundraiser.
Ensuring confidentiality related to donations and the development program is critical.
Qualifications / Requirements:
A university degree in a related field, preferably in Business, Communications, or other related field with a minimum of 7-10 years fundraising experience. Previous experience working within the non-profit sector, a post-secondary educational setting or a large, complex organization is preferred.
Demonstrated consistent experience in complex major gift (>$100,000) solicitations.
Proven ability to build and manage ongoing relationships with donors and community leaders
Proven leadership capability.
Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
Strong listening and negotiation skills.
Sound judgment and decision-making capabilities and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Excellent organizational skills.
The ability to coach and train people in the area of fundraising.
Application Deadline: May 25, 2026.
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level 4 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse ****** orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (oic@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Director of Development, Medicine Development, VP Development and Alumni position is now open for candidates interested in the Marketing Executive Jobs sector. This role in Calgary offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Marketing Executive Jobs is a plus.
