Engagement Officer

Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade: 13

The base salary will be $63,730 - $90,820 per annum. Starting salary will be aligned with the successful candidate’s experience, skills, and demonstrated qualifications.

Please note, this position is a 1-year temporary full-time contract opportunity covering a leave of absence.

About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

The Principal Gifts team is dedicated to raising the most significant gifts in support of Western University’s strategic priorities. An integral part of the External Relations Team, Principal Gifts plays a key role in designing, implementing, coordinating and managing principal gift development activities for university-wide projects and initiatives across all academic and administrative units.

Responsibilities

The Engagement Officer will develop and foster relationships with a variety of significant donors, and prospective donors, acting as a representative of the External Relations portfolio and the University. The Engagement Officer is responsible for the planning and coordination of all travel related to advancing Principal Gift activities, for the President, Vice-President, External Relations, the Associate Vice-President, Principal Gifts, and others contributing to principal gifts meetings as required. The Engagement Officer will facilitate all required activities to ensure that leaders have the required information for meetings with corporations, foundations, alumni, government relations, and others in support of Principal Gifts’ donor relations and stewardship strategy. The Engagement Officer will collaborate with others within the External Relations portfolio to assist with the identification of potential principal gifts prospects located in the planned travel destinations, making recommendations for strategic meetings to be booked in each location.

Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree

Experience:

• 2 years of experience supporting individuals at the executive level, booking travel arrangements and managing a complex schedule
• Experience engaging with senior level executives and administrators, preferably in a University setting
• Project management experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Project management skills to manage complex scehduling for executive leadership
• Verbal communication skills to clearly express ideas in an objective manner, and adapt communication style to suit the situation and audience especially at the executive level
• Familiarity with techniques for planning, managing and coordinating multiple meetings and trips, which have competing priorities and involve a variety of stakeholders
• Cross-cultural competency with an ability to interact and work effectively with people from different cultures and backgrounds
• Exceptional professionalism, tact and diplomacy to engage with significant donor prospects
• Knowledge of general office procedures and familiarity with best practices in data and records maintenance
• Familiarity with University policies and procedures preferred
• Ability to create a positive impression while interacting with others and responding to inquiries, by telephone, in person or electronically
• Proven ability and natural inclination to develop relationships by interacting with people in a professional, respectful and diplomatic manner
• Ability to collaborate with individuals both internal and external to Western to obtain information, meet common objectives and provide exceptional support
• Ability to apply creativity and recommend strategies for engagement in response to donor preferences
• Adapts readily and effectively to changing priorities and demands
• Self-driven, critical thinker who is highly skilled at anticipating and resolving stakeholder relation issues
• Ability to make decisions and recommendations that are clearly linked to the organization's strategy and goals
• Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
• Possess a reputation for resourcefulness with a strong sense of accountability and initiative
• Ability to work in a manner that models best practices in confidentiality standards
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite, with skills in using and maintaining a database (preferably Contributor Relations)
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

This position is an existing vacancy. This position is fully in-person, on-site. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.