Position Information

Position Title

Development Officer, Foundations

Research Project

Department/Unit

Advancement

Location

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Posting Number

S217-26

Employee Group

DPMG

Position Type

Regular, On-Going

Duration of Contract (if applicable)

Employment Type

Full Time

Full-time Equivalency (FTE)

1.0

Salary

$72,430- $97,028 per annum

Classification

ADM-06

Provisional Statement

This is a provisional classification. Formal regular review classification procedures may be initiated at any time by the incumbent or supervisor after the incumbent has worked a minimum of six months in the role.

About Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Job Summary

Dalhousie University’s Office of Advancement is responsible for all fundraising and alumni engagement activities at the University. A large team of advancement professionals cultivates relationships with alumni and friends of the university and works with donors to help them achieve personal fulfilment through philanthropic investment, which supports student success, scientific research, and community impact. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, Principal Giving and Campaign Strategy, the Development Officer is responsible for developing and implementing mid-scale fund development strategies, targeted at Foundation giving, for Dalhousie University. These creative and impactful strategies will be designed to maximize fundraising revenue for Dalhousie’s priorities, positively position it within the broader community, and foster an environment that encourages and enables alumni engagement, volunteerism, and support.

Key Responsibilities

- Develop and implement strategic fundraising plans to maximize foundation giving in support of Dalhousie University’s priorities.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward foundation prospects and donors, with a focus on major and principal gift opportunities.




- Research foundation priorities, prepare compelling funding proposals, and align projects and budgets with philanthropic interests.
- Provide fundraising leadership by advising, briefing, and collaborating with university leaders, Advancement colleagues, and key stakeholders.
- Manage a portfolio of foundation relationships, advancing engagement through personalized strategies, stewardship, reporting, and acknowledgement activities.
- Track fundraising activities, maintain proposal and application resources, manage related budgets, and balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Note

The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work from within Nova Scotia) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.

This position involves frequent travel throughout Canada and potential occasional travel elsewhere for donor meetings. It also requires attendance at some evening events. The successful candidate must hold a current driver’s license and be legally allowed to drive in Canada (need not own a vehicle).

Required Qualifications

- Undergraduate degree with five years’ experience in one of the following: fundraising, business development, professional sales, marketing, communications, or other relationship-intensive work (or an equivalent combination of training and experience).
- Demonstrated experience of leading small-scale projects.
- Ability to develop people leadership skills.
- Demonstrated experience developing and writing both summary and comprehensive funding proposals, including positioning projects and budgets, to highlight the strongest possible alignment between a project’s social impact and an individual donor’s philanthropic interests. Similar experience with developing and writing summary and comprehensive project management documents will also be considered.

Assets

- Experience working in a post-secondary environment.

Job Competencies





The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core and leadership competencies, in particular:

- Respect & Inclusion
- Adaptability
- Relationship Building
- Accountability for Performance & Results
- Development

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration

Applications from current university employees and external candidates are assessed concurrently. Current university employees will be given special consideration.

We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please review our Employment Equity information.

If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here.

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies

1

Open Date

08/04/2026

Close Date

08/19/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting

https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/21616

📌 Development Officer, Foundations (Canada)
🏢 Dalhousie University
📍 Canada