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.
