Executive Director, Divisional Relations

Description:

About Us:

The Division of University Advancement (DUA) promotes and supports the University of Toronto by engaging a worldwide community of donors, alumni, students, faculty and staff on U of T’s ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement goals. DUA encompasses a highly skilled team of staff focused in the areas of development, alumni and volunteer engagement, advancement services, and advancement marketing and communications. The uniquely integrated structure of University Advancement encourages each division to bring its particular strengths and expertise to the common cause of advancing U of T’s relations with alumni, donors, and friends. In this ecosystem, there is an emphasis on the collaboration, diplomacy, teamwork and mission focus as the Division of University Advancement supports our Faculties, Campuses and Divisions as a shared service.

Through our current  Defy Gravity campaign, the team supports U of T’s commitment to inclusive excellence – the idea that every member of our community should thrive in an environment of belonging – and helps the University bring together top minds from every conceivable background to create a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable world.

The Division of University Advancement at the University of Toronto is committed to a transformative agenda deeply rooted in the University’s vision for growth and innovation. We are focused on growing fundraising efforts; doubling the number of newly engaged alumni by 2023; achieving Advancement goals through the foundational integration of Alumni Relations and Development both centrally and through collaborations with divisional colleagues; creating an organization and culture that fosters diversity and inclusiveness.

Your Opportunity:

As one of two Executive Directors, Divisional Relations this role works closely with the Assistant Vice President, Divisional Relations as a member of the senior leadership team within the Division of University Advancement. Each Executive Director, Divisional Relations will be responsible for a portfolio of assigned divisions distributed between them.

In collaboration with divisions across the University, and working with other DUA senior management team members, the Executive Director leads the development and execution of plans, policies, timetables and strategy for the University’s institution-wide campaign, particularly as it relates to the participation of the divisions. The Executive Director will work closely with senior advancement and academic leadership to develop and execute divisional campaigns that successfully attract support at six and seven-figure gift levels. The Executive Director and their team may participate in the cultivation and solicitation of prospects for specific divisions and will support framing the divisions’ unique strengths and opportunities within an overall institutional campaign.

A senior Advancement professional with experience in development and execution of specific campaign plans, the Executive Director will bring a track record of success in senior fundraising leadership positions. The Executive Director will demonstrate significant experience and success in instilling campaign best practices, disciplines and methods, working with cabinets and volunteers, campaign troubleshooting, and training and mentoring of advancement and academic staff. 

Acting as a collaborative resource, advisor, mentor and occasionally manager, the Executive Director will support building fundraising capacity in select divisions. The Executive Director, must possess a strong desire to define the leading edge of fundraising practice in Canada, to attract and develop outstanding future advancement leaders, and to enhance the University’s reputation for advancement excellence. 

Major activities include:

• Creating a philanthropic culture among staff and volunteers that fosters growth, effectiveness, personal and professional development, community, satisfaction and alignment with the mission and values of the University of Toronto.
• Providing leadership and direction to divisions in the creation of advancement business plans and strategies that enable Divisions to foster growth in fundraising capacity and become more effective fundraising organizations.  
• Providing leadership and mentorship to Divisions on the development, planning and execution of fundraising campaigns, in accordance with a sequence and time frame that builds and sustains fundraising momentum and capacity, and achieves specified campaign objectives.
• Building capacity and sophistication of advancement staff and academics throughout the university, marshaling DUA systems and resources to ensure necessary support, provide guidance on best practices, disciplines and methods, training and mentoring that can be applied.  
• In collaboration with the Assistant Vice President, Divisional Relations, developing and implementing campaign procedures, policies, and operating plans, encompassing campaign operations, budgets, events, in order to ensure highest professional standards for, and enhance the quality and effectiveness of the University’s campaigns. 

Qualifications Required:

Education:

• University degree or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

• Minimum ten (10) years of expert specialized experience in institutional fundraising, preferably within a University or similarly complex environment, with demonstrated significant and successful responsibility in major campaigns, ideally of $100 million or more. 
• Other relevant working environments could include internationally-focused NGO, government agency or corporation. 
• Successful track record in developing relationships with high profile donors and volunteers.  
• Demonstrated experience in relationship building.
• Experience within the context of a multi-year, comprehensive campaign is essential.

Skills:

The Executive Director will possess:

• Vision, the ability to think and plan strategically, and a creative, entrepreneurial spirit.
• Demonstrated experience and success managing, motivating, and mentoring volunteers and advancement professionals, bringing out the best in teams and individuals.
• The ability to mentor, coach, motivate and inspire colleagues and volunteers.
• High level of initiative, maturity, tact and diplomacy; excellent judgement and discretion.
• A deep understanding of and sympathy for the mission of a research-intensive university.
• The ability to serve as an articulate, credible representative of the University with diverse constituencies and particularly with the sophisticated individuals who support the institution.
• The ability to understand the research and teaching dimensions of a proposed project, to conceptualize them in an integrated proposal, and to make a compelling case to a donor for philanthropic support.
• An engaging personal style, a sincere interest in people, patience, a willingness to listen, and the capacity to engender trust and to establish lasting relationships.
• A reputation for integrity, openness, decisiveness and sound judgement.
• A high level of comfort interacting with academic leaders as well as donors and volunteers.
• The ability to navigate and be effective within a complex matrix organization that values collaboration and teamwork as well as individual initiative and creativity.
• Excellent attention to detail and superb organizational skills, including the ability to set campaign fundraising goals and timelines and to establish an internal system for meeting deadlines, tracking, follow-up, monitoring, and reporting of progress.
• Ability to work in a hectic and results-oriented environment with a strong focus on results; ability to meet deadlines and budgets.
• A high energy level, an appropriate degree of sophistication and self confidence, optimism (and the ability to engender optimism in others) and a sense of humour.
• Exceptional oral and written communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills. 

Note: Please submit a cover letter along with the application. 

Closing Date: 10/01/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Personnel Subarea: PM
Appointment Type : Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: 2AP -- Broadband Salary Range: $136,859 - nominal maximum of $273,717
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial