Director of Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Industry
Academic
Location
Alberta
Director of Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
University of Calgary
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Department: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Reference #: MG-UCL-9419
The University of Calgary is now seeking a Director of Development to support the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) - a role with real influence, working as a trusted senior partner to the Dean and a catalyst for impact.
About the University of Calgary and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Located in Canada’s most enterprising city, the University of Calgary (UCalgary) is a global intellectual hub for teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and deep engagement with the community.
UCalgary is one of Canada’s top comprehensive research universities, with more than 7,500 graduate students and 30,500 undergraduate students, 1,800 academic staff, and over 4,000 non-academic staff in 14 faculties, across five campuses. As one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities, UCalgary is home to 146 research chairs (75 Canada Research Chairs), and more than 50 research institutes and centres. The University is bolstered by the incredible philanthropic support of the community, including more than $1.4 Billion raised during Energize: The Campaign for Eyes High (the third-largest completed fundraising campaign in Canadian history). UCalgary has the fastest growth rate in attracting research funding among the 10 largest universities in Canada and for three years in a row was ranked the #1 start-up creator among Canadian research universities.
The University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) is driven by a bold vision: a world where animal, human, and environmental health thrives. Rooted in the interconnected principles of One Health and One Community, UCVM advances knowledge, education, and care through transdisciplinary research, immersive clinical training, and deep community partnerships. As Alberta’s only veterinary school and a globally rising faculty, UCVM is committed to delivering transformative impact, locally and globally, by addressing complex health challenges that matter to society. Philanthropy is central to this work, enabling innovation, connection, and lasting change, and we are seeking an accomplished fundraising leader to help turn this shared ambition into reality.
Key Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Senior Director of Development and serving as the senior advancement leader within UCVM, the Director of Development is responsible for shaping and executing a faculty-wide philanthropic strategy that advances both faculty and university priorities.
Qualifications
This is a rare opportunity to shape the philanthropic future of one of Canada’s leading veterinary medicine faculties, working alongside academic leadership to secure transformational support for research, education, and clinical impact.
How to Apply
To express interest in this opportunity please apply online by clicking Apply Now.
For more information about this exciting opportunity please contact Abbey MacLeod, Senior Executive Recruiter, at amacleod@kbrs.ca or Mark Gillis, Partner, at mgillis@kbrs.ca.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply.
The University of Calgary and Meridia will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or amacleod@kbrs.ca
University of Calgary
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Department: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Reference #: MG-UCL-9419
The University of Calgary is now seeking a Director of Development to support the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) - a role with real influence, working as a trusted senior partner to the Dean and a catalyst for impact.
About the University of Calgary and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Located in Canada’s most enterprising city, the University of Calgary (UCalgary) is a global intellectual hub for teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and deep engagement with the community.
UCalgary is one of Canada’s top comprehensive research universities, with more than 7,500 graduate students and 30,500 undergraduate students, 1,800 academic staff, and over 4,000 non-academic staff in 14 faculties, across five campuses. As one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities, UCalgary is home to 146 research chairs (75 Canada Research Chairs), and more than 50 research institutes and centres. The University is bolstered by the incredible philanthropic support of the community, including more than $1.4 Billion raised during Energize: The Campaign for Eyes High (the third-largest completed fundraising campaign in Canadian history). UCalgary has the fastest growth rate in attracting research funding among the 10 largest universities in Canada and for three years in a row was ranked the #1 start-up creator among Canadian research universities.
The University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) is driven by a bold vision: a world where animal, human, and environmental health thrives. Rooted in the interconnected principles of One Health and One Community, UCVM advances knowledge, education, and care through transdisciplinary research, immersive clinical training, and deep community partnerships. As Alberta’s only veterinary school and a globally rising faculty, UCVM is committed to delivering transformative impact, locally and globally, by addressing complex health challenges that matter to society. Philanthropy is central to this work, enabling innovation, connection, and lasting change, and we are seeking an accomplished fundraising leader to help turn this shared ambition into reality.
Key Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Senior Director of Development and serving as the senior advancement leader within UCVM, the Director of Development is responsible for shaping and executing a faculty-wide philanthropic strategy that advances both faculty and university priorities.
- Establish, lead and execute strategic advancement plans for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine aligned with faculty and university priorities.
- Exercise strategic authority in setting fundraising direction, prospect prioritization and fundraising approaches, balancing faculty aspirations with University advancement strategy.
- Personally manage a portfolio of major and principal gift donors, including the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of six and seven-figure gifts.
- Engage, build and maintain relationships with alumni, corporations, foundations, community leaders and volunteers in support of faculty priorities.
- Serve as the senior advancement advisor to the Dean and faculty leadership on philanthropic strategy, donor and alumni engagement and fundraising best practices.
- Navigate complex stakeholder dynamics, constructively managing competing interests while maintaining productive and respectful relationships.
- Ensure effective donor stewardship, recognition and reporting in accordance with University policies and ethical standards.
- Ensure all fundraising activity aligns with prospect management protocols and institutional compliance requirements. Oversee donor recognition initiatives and ensure all activities are tracked and reported per University protocols.
- Lead, mentor and support Development and Alumni staff, fostering accountability, supporting performance and professional growth and high performance.
- Establish clear expectations, roles and processes that strengthen Development effectiveness within the faculty.
- Work collaboratively with central Development and Alumni teams, as well as UCVM faculty leadership and communications partners to position fundraising priorities and maximize philanthropic impact.
- Uphold ethical fundraising standards and prospect management guidelines.
Qualifications
- A university degree in a related field, preferably in Business, Communications or other related field.
- A minimum of seven years of progressively senior fundraising experience, including responsibility for fundraising strategy and management of complex donor relationships.
- Demonstrated success securing and stewarding major and principal gifts, including six and seven-figure commitments.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic advancement counsel to senior leaders and to influence decision-making in complex environments.
- Previous experience working within post-secondary institutions or other large, complex, shared-governance organizations is preferred, including experience partnering with academic leaders to advance philanthropic initiatives.
- Strong judgment, diplomacy, and decision-making skills, with the confidence to lead through complexity.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Sound judgment and decision-making capabilities and the ability to work independently.
- Excellent organizational skills.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the philanthropic future of one of Canada’s leading veterinary medicine faculties, working alongside academic leadership to secure transformational support for research, education, and clinical impact.
How to Apply
To express interest in this opportunity please apply online by clicking Apply Now.
For more information about this exciting opportunity please contact Abbey MacLeod, Senior Executive Recruiter, at amacleod@kbrs.ca or Mark Gillis, Partner, at mgillis@kbrs.ca.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply.
The University of Calgary and Meridia will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or amacleod@kbrs.ca
