Data Scientist - Applied AI, VP Development and Alumni

Description

VP Development and Alumni is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term Data Scientist - Applied AI for approximately 24 months with a strong possibly of extension, based on organizational needs and mutual fit. This position is currently hybrid with three days per week in the office.

The Office of Development and Alumni (D&A) exists for the mutual benefit of the University of Calgary and its stakeholders, and coordinates donations of gifts to the University, as well as communication and engagement with UCalgary Alumni and the broader community. The Data Scientist - Applied AI is a Data Science professional reporting to the Manager, Data Systems, and provides expertise and strategic support to measurably improve and expand D&A's approach to fundraising and outreach. Specifically, the position studies internal and external data, and employs data mining, machine learning, applied artificial intelligence, predictive modelling, forecasting, and statistical analysis techniques to help identify, classify, understand, and cultivate connection, engagement, and philanthropic contributions.

The Data Scientist - Applied AI must accommodate the needs of numerous faculties and central and support units (e.g., Annual and Leadership Giving, Alumni Engagement). They must coordinate analytics activities with Prospect Research & Pipeline staff who specialize in prospect and portfolio management.

There is a high volume of work requiring sound judgment, diplomacy, tact, project management, decision-making, and the ability to manage fluid expectations, projects, and deadlines.

This position is suited to a data science professional who can apply academic knowledge and practical experience to real-world problems, including emerging applied AI opportunities.

The maximum salary for this position is $85,910.00 annual.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Fundraising Analytics Program Leadership (20%)

• Work with the Manager, Data Systems to set a vision for advanced analytics and applied AI within D&A, and develop and implement a comprehensive program that provides data-driven intelligence to aid University-wide and faculty/unit fundraising, communications, and engagement.
• Work with D&A teams across campus to identify specific issues for review and analysis, and develop/create solutions. Generate new knowledge and previously unknown insights from D&A and external data.
• Grow analytics capacity and standards within the organization through training, workshops, and supporting skill development.
• Mentor and coach Reporting Analysts in analytics and data science best practices, and contribute to enhancing the team's knowledge and abilities.
  
  

Modeling, Statistical Analysis, and Fundraising Strategies (70%)

• Provide strategic leadership and employ project management best practices on all fundraising, communications, and engagement analytics projects. Establish and communicate vision for projects, including alignment to organizational vision and strategy.
• Design, prototype, implement, and evaluate generative AI solutions, including large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, semantic search, and agentic workflow. Evaluate internally developed, vendor-provided, and hybrid approaches based on business value, cost, technical fit, maintainability, privacy, security, and integration requirements.
• Employ machine learning and applied AI techniques and build predictive, behavioral, and AI-assisted solutions that are used to increase revenue, deliver time savings, and improve ROI throughout the department. Develop strategies to ensure that what is built actually makes a difference.
• Act as the senior expert on data science. Identify, prioritize, and execute applied analytics that deliver insights across goals including, but not limited to: contact acquisition, donation conversions, increasing value of average donations, engagement with the University, and segmenting Constituents.
• Develop product offerings including visual intelligence tools and applications for enhancing business performance. Determine the best way to deliver data science initiatives into the hands of end users.
• Gather, filter and segment large and unstructured data sets for the purposes of identifying, classifying and refining constituent pools. Identify overall trends and patterns in giving, interests, volunteerism, event participation, etc. and search for explanations and underlying causes.
• Leverage available data sources and identify new sources of data. Mine, retrieve, query, and append data from internal databases, and external data sources such as electronic screening services, census records, social media as appropriate, surveys, focus groups, demographic studies, marketing data, etc.
• Work closely with the rest of Advancement Data team to coordinate and participate in the preparation and presentation of reports, visualizations, interfaces, and analysis, capturing progress and trends, and including appropriate recommendations or conclusions.
• Manage and monitor data science model import processes into D&A's Constituent Relationship Management database (Blackbaud CRM), and support reliable incremental extraction and API-based integration patterns where required.
• Partner with business users throughout solution design, implementation, and continuous improvement to integrate AI into practical workflows, encourage adoption, and measure usage, user feedback, and realised business value.
  
  

Knowledge Building and Management (5%)

• Stay abreast of current and emerging trends in data science, business intelligence, philanthropy, and higher education, and communicate to department and senior leadership as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Graduate degree required, with demonstrated competencies in data science, predictive modeling, fundraising analysis, machine learning, applied AI, research, and/or similar fields.
• Demonstrated analytical, project design/management, and creative problem-solving skills required.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex and large datasets from various sources, extract actionable insights, and communicate these to business users, both orally and through data visualization tools such as Tableau/Power BI, and/or Reporting Services. Must be able to impart understanding of complicated ideas and statistics in a clear and simple manner to a wide variety of stakeholders, from frontline staff to Executive Leadership.
• Proven ability to build, implement, and optimize predictive data models required.
• Experience building or supporting AI-powered solutions using large language models (LLMs), retrieval augmented generation (RAG), embeddings, vector search, and AI agents or agentic workflows is preferred.
• Direct experience using advanced statistical tools, big data technologies, machine learning/AI, and data mining. Highly proficient programming skills with scripting languages (e.g., Python). Highly proficient programming skills with scripting languages (e.g., Python), including data processing, automation, and API integration.
• Expertise in analytical applications, program development, and evaluation methodologies. Experience evaluating analytical and AI solutions.
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of data management, database design and querying using Transact-SQL language required.
• Professional experience with SQL Server and its components (SSIS, SSRS), IIS (Microsoft Internet Information Services), and Visual Studio required.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Fabric, GitHub Copilot, Claude code, OpenAI, or comparable cloud data and AI platforms is a preferred asset.
• Highly developed interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills.
• Experience mentoring and training others to increase their own knowledge and abilities in data science, and a willingness to share skills and techniques with peers and colleagues.
• High degree of professionalism, ethical sensitivity, and discretion; ability to maintain a commitment to confidentiality.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and meet challenging and changing deadlines.
• Previous analytical experience in a complex Development / Fundraising environment (preferably post-secondary) is a preferred asset.
  
  

Application Deadline: November 2, 2026

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level 3 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About The University Of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/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. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.