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Posting Reason:
Replacement of a regular positionJob Type:
EmployeeJob Family:
Administrative Upper ManagementFaculty/Service - Department:
Office of the Vice-President of AdvancementCampus:
Main CampusDate Posted (YYYY/MM/DD):
2026/04/23Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD):
2026/05/09University Advancement plays a pivotal role in fostering meaningful connections between the University and its alumni, donors, and partners. Our team is dedicated to advancing the University's mission by securing philanthropic support, engaging with our vibrant alumni community, and building partnerships that drive innovation and excellence. Through strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts, we help shape the future of the University, ensuring that it continues to thrive as a leading institution of higher education and research. Together, we empower our students, faculty and researchers to make a lasting impact on the world.Position Purpose
Reporting to the Vice-President of Advancement, the Associate Vice-President (AVP), Advancement provides senior leadership for the University of Ottawa’s fundraising strategy and serves as the delegated authority of the Vice-President, Advancement. The AVP plays a pivotal role in shaping and driving transformative philanthropy, securing major and principal gifts, and leading ambitious fundraising campaigns that expand the university’s capacity to deliver on its academic and research mission.
As the senior-most fundraising executive within the Advancement portfolio, the AVP ensures that fundraising efforts across faculties and units reflect best practices and institutional priorities. By cultivating strategic relationships with distinguished donors, volunteers, and institutional leaders, the AVP ensures that philanthropic partnerships are positioned to generate lasting impact for the university community.
In this job, your responsibilities will include:
Strategic Planning: Defines clear priorities and long-term objectives for major and principal gift development. Designs and implements comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategies that mobilize support from individuals, corporations, and foundations, ensuring alignment with the university’s evolving priorities. Positions philanthropy as a driver of institutional growth and innovation. Ensures that fundraising efforts are both visionary and results-driven, galvanizing the team to achieve an ambitious annual target of $15M in support of institutional priorities and transformative ideas.
University & Campaign Strategy: Plays a critical role in the design, implementation, and monitoring of the University’s comprehensive fundraising activities, ensuring that annual fundraising targets are met. Works closely with the Vice-President of Advancement to strategically reposition and align the fundraising in response to evolving socioeconomic and political conditions. Leads by example in advancing the university’s major and principal gift strategy through the personal management of a select portfolio of high-value prospects (typically ranging $1M+). Oversees all phases of high-level donor’s journeys from qualification and solicitation to proposal development and stewardship, ensuring that each engagement reflects the university’s values and strategic priorities.
Relationship Management: Builds and strengthens high-impact relationships with key philanthropic stakeholders, including major and principal donors, corporate partners, and foundation leaders. Acts as a strategic partner to senior university leadership in identifying and advancing fundraising opportunities that align with institutional priorities. Through thoughtful engagement and trust-based relationship building, the AVP ensures that philanthropic partnerships are positioned to deliver long-term value and transformative impact for the University of Ottawa.
Team Leadership Management: Provides strategic leadership and mentorship to fundraising professionals across the university, fostering a high-performance culture rooted in collaboration, accountability, and excellence. Champions best practices in major gift fundraising and empowers teams to pursue bold philanthropic goals aligned with institutional priorities.
Institutional Engagement: Mobilizes senior academic and administrative leaders around a shared philanthropic vision in order to integrate fundraising into institutional planning and decision-making. Provides targeted counsel, facilitates cross-campus coordination, and promotes shared accountability for fundraising outcomes. Ensures that faculties and units are equipped to develop compelling cases for support and to engage meaningfully in major and principal gift activity. Fosters a culture where philanthropy is understood, valued, and actively championed across the university
Networking: Serves as a senior representative of the University of Ottawa in philanthropic circles, actively engaging with influential donors, corporate leaders, and foundation executives at the local, national, and international levels. Builds and sustains strategic relationships that enhance the university’s visibility and credibility among key stakeholders. Through thoughtful and purposeful engagement, the AVP strengthens the university’s fundraising capacity and opens new avenues for transformational support, resulting in new partnerships and increased pipeline of principal gift prospects.
What you will bring:
Degree at the graduate level in business, management or related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum of 15 years of progressive fundraising experience with a proven track record of achievement and success with developing prospective donors and closing major and principal gifts.
Bilingualism – French and English (spoken and written)
Broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising and best practices
Extensive experience in developing and implementing strategic fundraising plans
Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques related to major, principal and planned giving
Proven abilities in building partnerships and/or collaborative working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders, including senior executives and officials
Ability to write high-quality fundraising material (i.e. case for support documentation)
Superior interpersonal and communication skills, strong organizational abilities, and demonstrated experience in team management.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and regular business trips
Experience within an academic environment is considered an asset
Deep knowledge of the University of Ottawa is considered an asset
Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) is an asset.
The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff, and faculty. Accordingly, we strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minorities members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups are asked to complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire, to be completed at the time of application.
All qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada
The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by contacting the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations by email at vra.affairesprofessorales@uottawa.ca. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.
The University of Ottawa is proud of its 160-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language.
Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.