Development Officer, Foundations

Dalhousie University is hiring a Development Officer, Foundations in its Office of Advancement in Halifax. This is a regular, on-going full-time position.

The Office of Advancement is responsible for all fundraising and alumni engagement activities at the University. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, Principal Giving and Campaign Strategy, the Development Officer develops and implements mid-scale fund development strategies targeted at foundation giving, designed to maximize fundraising revenue for Dalhousie’s priorities and to foster alumni engagement, volunteerism and support.

Key responsibilities include developing and implementing strategic fundraising plans; identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding foundation prospects and donors with a focus on major and principal gifts; researching foundation priorities and preparing compelling funding proposals; advising and collaborating with university leaders and Advancement colleagues; managing a portfolio of foundation relationships through personalized strategies, stewardship and reporting; and tracking fundraising activity and related budgets.

Qualifications: an undergraduate degree with five years’ experience in fundraising, business development, professional sales, marketing, communications or other relationship-intensive work, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Demonstrated experience leading small-scale projects and writing both summary and comprehensive funding proposals is required. Experience in a post-secondary environment is an asset.

Salary $72,430 – $97,028 per annum, classification ADM-06. Total compensation includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program. The role is eligible for hybrid work, with the remote portion within Nova Scotia. It involves frequent travel across Canada for donor meetings and attendance at some evening events; a current driver’s licence is required, though you need not own a vehicle.

Dalhousie encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, and persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Posting S217-26. Deadline: August 25, 2026.