Chief Development Officer (Programs)

Job ID

76732

Job Title

Chief Development Officer (Programs)

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Location

Central Campus

Open Date

2026/06/16

Job Type

Continuing

Close Date

2026/07/31

Employee Group

TMG

Favorite Job

Department

UA Advancement Dev’t Programs

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Salary Grade/Band

Band Q

Salary Range

$158985.00 - $238477.00 (annual)

Job Code

104704

Hiring Range

$158985.00 - $208469.00

Existing Vacancy

Yes - Backfilling as Existing

Target Number of Openings

Hours per Week

Posting Details

Schedule

8:30 - 4:30 Monday to Friday

Education Level

Minimum 10–15 years of progressive advancement or fundraising leadership experience within a complex organization.

Career Level

Undergraduate degree required; graduate degree considered an asset.

Chief Development Officer (Programs)

Help Shape the Future of Philanthropy at McMaster University

About McMaster University

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.

About University Advancement

University Advancement serves as the bridge between McMaster's mission and the philanthropic community that helps bring that mission to life. Through fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship, advancement services, and strategic partnerships, University Advancement fosters meaningful relationships that create lasting impact for the University and the communities it serves.

Guided by a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and innovation, University Advancement is building a culture of philanthropy that supports McMaster's strategic priorities and future ambitions. The division is entering an exciting period of growth and opportunity as it continues to strengthen fundraising capacity, deepen donor engagement, and position the University for future campaign success.

The Opportunity

McMaster University is seeking an accomplished, strategic, and relationship-driven fundraising executive to serve as Chief Development Officer (Programs). Reporting directly to the Vice-President, University Advancement, this role represents a unique opportunity to help shape the future of philanthropy at one of Canada's leading research-intensive universities. As Chief Development Officer (Programs), you will help shape the future of one of Canada's leading universities, working alongside exceptional colleagues, institutional leaders, donors, and partners to secure transformational support for initiatives that matter. The impact of your work will be felt not only across the University, but throughout the communities and sectors that McMaster serves around the world.

The Chief Development Officer will play a central role in advancing McMaster's fundraising ambitions and strengthening the University's capacity to secure transformational philanthropic support. While maintaining oversight of an integrated fundraising portfolio, the role places significant emphasis on principal giving and transformational philanthropy. The successful candidate will lead efforts to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward McMaster's most significant philanthropic partners while building the strategies, systems, and organizational capacity required to support long-term fundraising growth.

Working closely with the Vice-President, University Advancement, the President, Vice-Presidents, Deans, faculty leaders, and senior administrators, the Chief Development Officer will help align philanthropic opportunities with institutional priorities and advance initiatives that support research excellence, student success, innovation, health, and community impact. As a senior leader within the Office of the Vice-President, University Advancement, the Chief Development Officer serves as a key strategic partner to the Vice-President and contributes directly to advancing the University's philanthropic vision and priorities. The role operates at the intersection of institutional strategy, fundraising leadership, campaign planning, and donor engagement, providing executive leadership across a portfolio that includes principal gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, and planned giving.

The role will also work in partnership with the Associate Vice-President, Health Sciences Advancement and the Associate Vice-President, Pan-University Advancement on identification and cultivation of principal gift donors in close collaboration with AVPs of pan university advancement transformational philanthropic investments across the institution. Success in the role will require the ability to leverage the collective strengths of the Advancement team to secure transformational investments and position McMaster for long-term campaign success. The role serves as an important connector across the advancement enterprise.

As McMaster prepares for its next phase of philanthropic growth, the Chief Development Officer will play a critical leadership role in campaign readiness and execution. As a key architect of fundraising strategy, the successful candidate will help shape institutional fundraising priorities, engage senior leaders in philanthropic efforts, and strengthen the University's ability to achieve ambitious campaign goals.

This is an opportunity to join an institution with global ambitions, exceptional momentum, and a strong commitment to creating positive change. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence the future trajectory of philanthropy at McMaster and contribute to initiatives that will create lasting impact for generations to come.

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will be a seasoned advancement executive with a demonstrated record of success leading complex fundraising programs, securing transformational philanthropic investments, and building high-performing teams. They will possess the strategic perspective, leadership presence, and relationship-building capabilities required to engage effectively with senior leaders, sophisticated donors, volunteers, and external partners.

Education & Experience

• Undergraduate degree required; graduate degree considered an asset.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation considered an asset.
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive advancement or fundraising leadership experience within a complex organization.
• Demonstrated success securing major, principal, and transformational gifts, including experience advancing sophisticated donor engagement and solicitation strategies.
• Experience leading large-scale fundraising initiatives, campaign planning efforts, and comprehensive advancement strategies.
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Experience within higher education, healthcare, research-intensive organizations, or similarly complex public-sector environments is strongly preferred.

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.

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 View phone number on ca.workus.org-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_hidden*** 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.