Job ID

78895

Job Title

Senior Director, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties and Units) (Temporary)

Regular/Temporary

Temporary

Location

Central Campus

Open Date

2026/09/28

Job Type

Limited Term (<12 months)

Close Date

2026/10/02

Employee Group

Interim

Favorite Job

Department

UA PanUni Adv(Faculties-Units)

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Job Code

MJD103

Existing Vacancy

Yes - Newly Created Position

Contract Duration

6 Months

Target Number of Openings

1

Hours per Week

35

Posting Details

Schedule

Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Education Level

University Degree

Career Level

15 - 20 years experience

About McMaster:

At McMaster University, we are driven by a shared purpose: advancing human and societal health and wellbeing. Through world-class research, transformative education, and meaningful community impact, we are addressing some of the world's most complex challenges and creating positive change locally and globally.

Consistently ranked among Canada's top universities and recognized internationally for research excellence, innovation, and student success, McMaster is home to more than 37,000 students, over 200,000 alumni worldwide, and a vibrant community of scholars, researchers, learners, and partners. From pioneering discoveries in health sciences and engineering to advancing social innovation and community wellbeing, McMaster's impact extends far beyond our campus.

As we look toward the future, philanthropy will play an increasingly important role in enabling the University's aspirations. Through strategic partnerships with donors, alumni, foundations, corporations, and community leaders, McMaster is creating opportunities to accelerate discovery, enhance student experiences, support breakthrough research, and strengthen its impact on society.

The Role:

The Senior Director, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties and Units) leads and is accountable for a wide- ranging portfolio charged with advancing and enhancing the relationships, reputation, and resources of McMaster University through relationship building and revenue generation.

The Senior Director, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties and Units) provides leadership for McMaster University’s fundraising priorities and plays a key role in advancing the University’s comprehensive fundraising campaign. Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties & Units), the Senior Director, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties and Units) is responsible for supporting the Associate Vice President (Faculties & Units) in the cultivation and solicitation of the University's most significant philanthropic relationships, leading fundraising strategies, overseeing campaign initiatives and providing leadership to Pan-University Advancement development staff.

The Senior Director, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties and Units) also plays a leadership role in all revenue- generating campaigns undertaken by the University Advancement team and is accountable for aligning and integrating the campaign strategy and case for support across all development teams integrated across the University. This position is a trusted advisor, influencer and counsellor to senior academic leadership and senior development team members on all incoming revenue to the University. Particularly in campaign settings, there is high-level of interface with volunteers and influencers engaged in a variety of capacities and committee and boards across campus.

The Senior Director, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties and Units) provides leadership for the University’s efforts to secure and grow its base of annual, major and principal- level funders and supporters, and to steward these funders and supporters in a manner so as to inspire them to establish, grow and sustain meaningful relationships with the University.

The Senior

Director, Development also plays a leadership role in building leading- edge strategies and governance around alternative and non-traditional giving (i.e. gift planning, corporate, foundation, sponsorship, gifts in kind, etc.).

The Senior Director, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties and Units) role creates and maintains positive, productive relationships and builds and supports a vibrant, diverse and high-performance team of professionals central to University Advancement and more broadly integrated within Faculties and units who deliver on McMaster and University Advancement’s strategic plans through a variety of institutional programs. The development team is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individuals who directly, or through others,



have or are capable of supporting McMaster at any level and by way of all giving vehicles.

Accountabilities:

Leading, Planning and Consulting

- Model a culture of collaboration, integration and service to support the University’s core research and academic missions
- Provide leadership and direction to the creation of fundraising plans, campaigns, strategies and practices to foster growth in revenue-generation across the university
- Is accountable for the development, monitoring, evaluation and measurement of the Faculty and unit strategic plans to ensure they achieve goals and outcomes and that they are aligned with University goals
- Work with senior Faculty leadership to develop advancement plans aligned with, and stemming directly from, academic priorities which foster a compelling vision and case for support that enables the pursuit of revenue generation at all levels
- Build a high performance team within his/her portfolio that is committed to fulfilling the vision, goals and priorities necessary to achieve the short and long-term goals of the University
- Establish department goals and objectives, including annual career development plans, for staff to support a culture of continuous improvement and readiness for change, in collaboration with the diverse and unique needs of each Faculty or unit
- Engage with and support volunteer leadership across campus

Operational Leadership

- Be the leader in contributing to the University’s revenue generation program by raising a large percent (>25) of the overall University private revenue goal but managing, along with the Associate Vice-President, Development, one-hundred percent of the overall annual revenue goal Define funding strategy and manage a broad and diverse team of integrated advancement professionals within the Faculty’s University Advancement and across multiple large
- Departments and Schools by providing oversight, leadership and strategic direction to senior advancement professionals and senior academic leaders
- Develop and meet aggressive University, team and individual development goals as determined for the funding strategy, and provide leadership to the principal giving programs in collaboration with the Associate Vice-President, Pan-University Advancement and Vice-President, University Advancement
- Oversee the engagement of the President, Vice Presidents and senior university leadership, as well as volunteers as required, in the cultivation and solicitation of major and principal gift supporters, including ensuring they are appropriately briefed and relevant follow-up action is taken
- Is a member of University Advancement’s (UA) senior management group and provides expertise and guidance on achieving UA’s goals and objectives
- Is responsible for the allocation of budget within the department and is accountable to ensure resources are allocated and prioritized to meet University objectives and short and long-term outcomes
- Is responsible for developing, influencing and evaluating individual agreements with University leaders with development teams
- Develop and implement plans and strategies to enhance the Faculty and unit funding strategies and to generate consistent and significant increases in new revenue to the University
- Play a supporting role in developing a case for support and campaign plan and execute on the strategies by designing, implementing, and managing development activities related to the campaign
- Provide leadership by monitoring campaign and initiative progress, recommending changes to plans as appropriate, review solicitation strategies and regularly review progress of strategies
- Develop and maintain a depth of knowledge of Faculty and University activities, needs and priorities in both research and teaching, and apply this knowledge in matching the interests and needs of potential supporters
- Serve as an advisor to the Associate Vice-President and senior University leadership on strategies for top supporters and projects
- Assume responsibility for identifying, cultivating and soliciting support from a portfolio of supporters, both individually and/or in collaboration with the Associate Vice-President, Vice-President, University Advancement, the President, key University volunteers, senior University leaders and faculty,



resulting in increased engagement and financial investment in the University
- Manage, provide clear direction, motivate and mentor a significant team of development professionals; and offer support across-the-board to direct and indirect development reports and colleagues
- As appropriate, represent the University, with the team, at all community and University events, nationally and internationally
- Work closely with other areas of University Advancement to support the success of the operation’s annual financial goals as well as its mission and strategic goals;
- Develop a comprehensive and measurable annual operating plan and budget for the annual and major giving program
- Lead and oversee all integrated development professionals, including finance, human resources, and administration functions

Qualifications:

Education:

A University degree A McMaster degree is an asset A Master’s degree or advancement designation is an asset

Experience:

Proven track record of success in securing $1M+ complex gifts

Minimum of 15-20 years demonstrated expert experience in major giving fundraising, preferably within the post-secondary sector

Proven expertise in leading successful campaigns

Experience leading and managing teams of high-performing, donor centred development professionals

Knowledge/Skills:

Must have the following skills and abilities:

Vision, and the ability to think strategically with a creative and entrepreneurial mindset

Superior skills in critical analysis, judgement, decision-making, building effective relationships, and communications (oral, facilitation and written)

High level of initiative, tact and diplomacy

Excellent judgement and discretion

Deep understanding of the mission of a research-intensive university

Superior skills in human resources, volunteer and budget management, with strong financial acumen and comfort with data analytics

High level of comfort and credibility working with senior academic leaders, as well as funders, supporters and volunteers

Ability to work at the highest strategic levels, to gain and maintain the trust of senior leadership and supporters and also take strategy and move it through to tactics and action

Experience working with senior executives such as Presidents, Vice Presidents, Deans and other senior leaders on fundraising visits

Ability to navigate and be effective within a complex organization that values collaboration in addition to individuality and creativity

Superior skills and knowledge in attracting and maintaining relationships with funders and supporters

Superior communication and interpersonal skills; writing winning proposals and associated development materials and correspondence

Donor-centered and goal-oriented with a reputation for integrity and transparency

Competencies to understanding tax legislation and the philanthropic landscape

Strong computer skills and experience working with relational donor databases (e.g. Advance)

Must be knowledgeable regarding

University Advancement policies and procedures

McMaster University policies and guidelines

Canada Revenue Agency regulations regarding charitable giving

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.

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.

📌 Senior Director, Pan-University Advancement (Faculties and Units) (Temporary)
🏢 McMaster University
📍 Canada