SENIOR DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Permanent, Full-Time, (1.0 FTE)
One of our core values at St. Michaels University School is respect. With this in mind, we acknowledge that our school rests in the heart of Straits Salish territory, a living culture with its own rites, ceremonies, and unfolding history. We honour the Esquimalt, Songhees, and WSÁNEĆ peoples – whose homelands we share and whom we recognize as our neighbours.
St. Michaels University School (SMUS) is looking for a Senior Development Officer who builds real relationships to create lasting philanthropic partnerships. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, this person identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards major donors across a community that includes parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the school — many of whom bring different cultural backgrounds, languages, and expectations about giving and family philanthropy.
The role suits someone equally at ease in a formal donor meeting, a school hallway conversation, or a community event, who demonstrates strong interpersonal awareness and adjusts without losing sight of the person in front of them. As an ambassador for SMUS, the Senior Development Officer works independently and alongside a small, collaborative team to grow donor engagement, participation, and revenue in support of the school's strategic priorities.
SMUS families, alumni, and supporters represent a diverse local and global community with a wide range of cultural backgrounds, languages, and perspectives. You recognize that culture, values, and family traditions can influence philanthropy, communication, and decision-making, and you adapt your approach to build authentic and respectful relationships.
Work Schedule:
Department hours of work are from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday to Friday. Due to the nature of this role, the Senior Development Officer position will need to be available outside of regular work hours.
Who You Are
- A natural relationship-builder.
- Culturally aware and genuinely curious.
- Emotionally intelligent with humility and sound judgement.
- Discreet and trustworthy.
- Resilient and self-directed.
- Diplomatic under pressure.
- A clear and persuasive communicator, in writing and in person.
Responsibilities include:
Fundraising:
- Identify and cultivate new donors, with particular attention to community members and grateful families.
- Qualify new prospects and manage a portfolio of major gift donors.
- Build and execute cultivation and solicitation strategies for existing major donors.
- Engage donors through personal visits, calls, events, and written communication.
- Develop annual and multi-year fundraising plans with the Director of Advancement.
- Keep every fundraising activity aligned with CRA guidelines and AFP ethical standards.
- Support the student awards program.
- Raise legacy giving naturally within donor conversations.
- Take part in Advancement training, meetings, and planning.
- Bring insights from donors and colleagues back to the team to sharpen messaging and priorities.
- Present findings and recommendations to the Director to inform planning.
Stewardship and Reporting
- Work with the Advancement Assistant to keep donor recognition and impact reporting timely.
- Build donor engagement plans that deepen commitment to SMUS over time.
- Identify and help write donor stories.
- Draft gift agreements, proposals, and cases for support.
- Keep donor records current in Raiser's Edge NXT.
Experience and Qualifications:
- A bachelor's degree, or equivalent training and experience in a related field.
- At least three years of progressive fundraising experience, ideally in an educational or similarly complex environment.
- A track record of setting and meeting fundraising goals, working with senior leadership, and managing collaborative relationships.
- Strong written and oral communication skills. You can write a proposal that lands and holds a room in person.
- Sound judgment, integrity, and discretion with sensitive donor and family information.
- Proficiency with CRM systems (ideally Raiser's Edge NXT) and Microsoft Office or Google Suite.
- CFRE accreditation or working toward it.
- Experience in an academic setting or a capital campaign.
- Experience managing volunteers and community engagement.
- Cultural fluency and experience building relationships across SMUS's diverse and international community; additional language ability is an asset.
- Comfort raising legacy and planned giving in donor conversations.
Salary:
Annual salary range: $65,700 – $98,500
Criminal Record Check:
Must pass and maintain a clear Solicitor General criminal record check for the purpose of working with children.
Application Details:
Please apply by 2:00 pm Thursday, August 13, 2026.
About St. Michaels University School:
Located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, St. Michaels University School (SMUS) is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 day and boarding school with a global reputation for academic excellence.
Our students from over 30 countries all over the world have opportunities in academics, athletics, arts, leadership, service and outdoor education, and are inspired by an extraordinary staff committed to character growth and preparing students for what lies ahead in life. The school’s Mission shapes these endeavors: Our school seeks the excellence in all of us, with passion and compassion. We are a community shaped by the pursuit of truth and goodness, providing outstanding preparation for life. At St. Michaels University School, we seek to employ and empower individuals who wish to forge impactful relationships and careers that place our students at the centre. We firmly believe that expanding our diversity while adjusting our practice will lead to becoming the community we envision – a place where staff and students share a sense that they fully belong.
Pay: $65,700.00-$98,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
