Job ID

77905

Job Title

Development Officer

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Location

Central Campus

Open Date

2026/08/10

Job Type

Limited Term (>12 months)

Close Date

2026/08/23

Employee Group

TMG

Favorite Job

Department

Outreach

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Salary Grade/Band

Band H

Salary Range

$60226.00 - $77939.00 (annual)

Job Code

006242

Hiring Range

$60226.00 - $74326.00

Existing Vacancy

Yes - Newly Created Position

Contract Duration

12.2 Months

Target Number of Openings

1

Hours per Week

35

Posting Details

Schedule

8:30 - 4:30pm Monday - Friday

Education Level

Bachelor's Degree

Career Level

Minimum of 3 years prior experience

McMaster University is seeking a proactive and motivated fundraising professional to support the fundraising activities of the Faculty of Engineering.

The Development Officer will work collaboratively with University Advancement and the Faculty of Engineering to support the generation of private revenue for the Faculty’s highest priorities as McMaster University enters a multi-year comprehensive campaign.

McMaster’s Office of University Advancement

McMaster’s vibrant student experience, world-class research, and community engagement are empowered by the support of thousands of alumni and donors who believe strongly in the university’s mission. Together, our broader community helps make McMaster what it is today and helps nurture the next generation of leaders in our world.

The University

Advancement team plays a critically important role in advancing the university’s strategy in support of its ambitious vision, in partnership with academic and administrative leaders across all campuses.

Faculty of Engineering

McMaster Engineering is committed to the pursuit of excellence and plays a significant role in helping McMaster University earn its reputation as one of Canada’s most innovative universities.

The Faculty is home to approximately 250+ full time staff members, 216 faculty members, along with 8,387 undergraduate, 1,382 graduate students enrolled across 18 academic departments, schools and programs. The Faculty attracts approximately $65 million in annual research funding in more than 20 research centres, institutes, and networks whose interdisciplinary pursuits cross departmental and Faculty boundaries. Outside the University, the Faculty collaborates regularly on research projects with partners in universities, government and more than 130 companies in Canada and abroad.

Their faculty members are consistently awarded national and international recognition for pushing the boundaries of discovery and exploring novel, ground-breaking technologies. You can read their strategic plan for 2024-2029 here.

About the role:

The Development Officer is responsible to assist in maximizing private financial support to McMaster from alumni, individuals, corporations, foundations and other sources. Development Officers will support a portfolio that will be either program based or prospect based, while following the underlying goals and priorities as directed by team leaders.

Accountabilities:

- In consultation with the leader and fundraising staff, support the development of strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward funders and potential funders.
- Support the development of annual and long-range action plans for securing financial support from a portfolio of potential funders, which includes assisting with outlining goals and objectives as well as detailed timelines and strategies, as directed by supervisor.
- Assist with developing advocacy and support by calling on potential funders and accompanying University leadership and key volunteers on corporate and foundation calls, as directed by supervisor.
- In consultation with supervisor, communication with funders to raise new revenue at the Major Giving level in line with targets established by supervisor.




- Maintain a professional and cooperative relationship with funders and other supporters.
- Support the evaluation of gift capacity and funder interest, with assistance from supervisor.
- Act as a first point of contact between funders and other University departments to resolve, or escalate, issues arising from changes in University or government policies which have an impact on the funder's original intentions or expectations.
- Utilizing standardized documents, write detailed proposal and gift documentation to individuals, foundations, corporations and other potential funders aligning their philanthropic interests with University fundraising priorities, as appropriate.
- Utilizing standardized documents, write gift agreements, and stewardship plans geared to accountability, donor recognition and securing ongoing support, as appropriate.
- Write a variety of documents, including but not limited to, correspondence, contact reports, and briefing notes.
- Run detailed reports on fundraising goals and performance.
- Complete and submit development-related expenses within the Development Officer’s portfolio
- Compile and review funder data that is used to contribute to the development of an analysis of a pipeline of potential funders.
- Manage volunteers connected to giving programs. This includes recruitment, orientation, training, recognition and on-going program coordination.
- Coordinate campus visits, contact prospects and participate in other cultivation activities to promote and enhance the University’s fundraising efforts.
- Utilize a sophisticated database to assist in the management of relationships and information.
- Gather and compile information on institutional and faculty fundraising priorities, research, and programs. Support visit set up and develop information kits and publications.

Qualifications:

Education:

- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study. A McMaster degree is an asset

Experience:

- Requires a minimum of 3 years of prior experience
- Experience managing volunteers
- Experience developing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward funders and potential funders
- Demonstrated experience meeting individual and team financial and activity goals

Knowledge & Skills:

- Superior interpersonal, communication (both written and verbal), and relationship management skills required to interact with the funders and other internal and external supporters
- Extreme professionalism, excellent judgement and decision making abilities, as well as display tact and sensitivity Strong organizational skills and integrated approach
- Strong computer skills and experience with databases (ADVANCE)
- Excellent customer-service skills and strong service orientation
- Time-management and multi-tasking abilities
- Knowledgeable about McMaster University policies and guidelines; and University Advancement policies and procedures

Employment Equity Statement McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and, within the lands protected by the "Dish with One Spoon" wampum agreement.

In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

While all qualified candidates are invited to apply,



we particularly welcome applications from women, persons with disabilities, First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, members of visible minorities, and LGBTQ+ persons. Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact the Human Resources Service Centre at (phone hidden) ext. 222-HR (22247) or the Faculty of Health Sciences Human Resources office at ext. 22207 to communicate accommodation needs.

Pay Transparency Statement The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions.

Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies.

How To Apply To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

- Human Resources Service Centre at (phone hidden) ext. 222-HR (22247), or
- Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
- School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs. Hybrid Work Language To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews.

If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to [email protected] or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.

AI Statement

McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.

📌 Development Officer (Canada)
🏢 McMaster University
📍 Canada