Manager, Development Communications

Position: Manager, Development Communications

Location: London, ON (on-site)

Position Type: Full-time, 3 year renewable contract.

Status: This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Hiring Range: $74,800 - $93,551

Application Deadline: Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.

About Ivey Business School:

We acknowledge that Ivey Business School is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee and the Lūnaapéewak, on lands connected with the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum between the Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee and the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796.

With this, we respect the longstanding relationships that Indigenous Nations have to this land, as they are the original caretakers. We acknowledge historical and ongoing injustices that Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) endure in Canada, and we accept responsibility as a public institution to contribute toward revealing and correcting miseducation as well as renewing respectful relationships with Indigenous communities through our teaching, research and community service.

Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University (www.uwo.ca) is Canada’s leading provider of real-world, case-based business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey’s faculty provides the best classroom experience, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities they need to confidently take on today’s leadership challenges and opportunities through Case-Method Learning. Ivey offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as Executive Education at campuses in London, Toronto, and Hong Kong.

The Advancement department plays a pivotal role in nurturing enduring relationships which foster meaningful engagement, financial support, advocacy and leadership among alumni and other stakeholders globally. The development team, within the Advancement department, raises philanthropic and sponsorship support for Ivey, generally raising over $15 million annually.

Position Overview:

The Manager, Development Communications is an experienced communications professional who plays a crucial role in supporting the Development team's efforts to raise philanthropic funds for the Ivey Business School through creative and persuasive communications. With a deep appreciation and understanding of the value of curating inspired and compelling storytelling, the specialist focuses on incorporating this into all donor proposals and briefs. This approach is seamlessly woven into their tactical execution and active participation in gift strategy discussions. Naturally curious, the Manager, Development Communications drives collaboration and conducts research to create individual donor proposals, tailored donor reports, and fundraising collateral that aim to inspire further philanthropic support. Self-motivated and passionate about business and higher education, they have a strong desire to be a valuable member of a supportive and engaging team. This position is focused on personalized written communications pieces and not on social media or digital content creation.

Key Responsibilities

Proposal Development

• Design, develop and produce sophisticated proposals for major and principal gift prospective donors within exceptionally tight deadline environments.
• Develop strategies that enable Ivey leadership to present fully developed, donor-ready concepts that reflect the unique points of common interest between donors and Ivey.
• Evaluate and identify the need for additional information in proposals and related materials, undertaking required research on specific fundraising priorities and strategic initiatives and coordinating with Advancement staff and faculty to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness.
• Serve as an internal resource by providing comprehensive, up-to-date information about fundraising priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Consult with, interview, and incorporate feedback from faculty members and development staff on proposals and related materials.
• Prioritize and manage production schedule for proposals and related materials; disseminate timing and status of materials within Development.
• As needed, collaborate with prospect managers in preparing grant proposals for Foundation submissions, with the goal of soliciting funds from organizations whose funding priorities are aligned with Ivey.

Stewardship, Campaign Materials, and Fundraising Support

• Lead the development and ongoing evolution of Ivey's campaign materials including the case for support and related fundraising collateral working closely with faculty members and senior leaders to articulate emerging funding priorities throughout the lifespan of the campaign (5-7 years), and collaborating with marketing and development teams to ensure messaging remains dynamic, donor-centric, aligned with the institution's strategic objectives, and consistently integrated across all fundraising communications.
• Create a broad range of fundraising materials including customized letters, info briefs on funding priorities, presentations, and donor proposals, that effectively communicate Ivey's mission, programs, and impact to prospective donors.
• Lead the strategy for identifying, developing, and sharing compelling donor and impact stories across fundraising channels, working with faculty, students, alumni, and recipients to surface narratives that demonstrate the tangible impact of philanthropy and strengthen donor engagement.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Director, Development to continually review, enhance, and develop fundraising collateral, ensuring all materials are current, accurate, and aligned with organizational priorities and goals.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director, Stewardship to prepare individualized impact reports for all principals and select major gift donors.
• Partner with the Manager, Annual Giving to develop annual and special appeal messaging that drives fundraising support for the school.
• Coordinate with the Manager, Alumni Communications on development content for InTouch newsletters and magazines.
• Manage the development team's webpages
• Lead the team's adoption and consistent application of Ivey's communication guidelines, while proactively seeking ways to innovate and improve the quality of fundraising materials

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and supervision to the Communications Specialist in the development and creation of fundraising materials, donor stories and impact reports, and other compelling communications as needed.
• Work with the Director, Development and Associate Director, Stewardship to prioritize projects to manage workload for the Communications Specialist and identify additional projects and opportunities for growth within the role.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• A University degree in business, communications, journalism, arts or a related field.
• 4 - 5 years of work experience writing in a business or fundraising environment, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Leadership/mentorship experience is an asset.

Skills & Abilities

• Advanced writing skills with an ability to write effectively, creatively and persuasively and to converse easily with alumni, major gift donors and faculty.
• Excellent organizational, planning and time management skills, attention to detail and an ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Extremely effective interpersonal skills with a professional presence and manner; capable of exercising independent judgment and flexibility.
• Superior interviewing and listening skills as well as excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to organize and manage a diverse range of assignments and projects with high efficiency, yet thorough attention to detail and follow through
• Competent advanced function computer skills using Microsoft Office Suite Components, plus an aptitude to quickly adapt to new technologies; demonstrated ability to enhance the professional presentation of materials produced.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities and be self-motivated in a very high pressure, fast paced and demanding work environment is required.
• Ability to work in teams or independently with minimal administrative support.
• Ability to take initiative and work co-operatively with academic and administrative staff as well as other Ivey community members.
• Knowledge of the administrative procedures of University and the Richard Ivey School of Business would be beneficial.
• An understanding of corporate structures and knowledge of the Canadian business environment would be beneficial.
• An understanding of Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator would be advantages to the role, but not essential.

What We Offer:

• A collaborative and engaging work culture
• Opportunity to join a community of people-focused professionals
• Market competitive compensation with annual increases available
• Generous benefits package with employer-paid premiums, including a comprehensive Health and Dental Plan, Health Care Spending Account, short- and long-term disability programs, no waiting period required.
• Enhanced mental health benefits coverage and resources.
• Life and AD&D insurance for you and your family.
• Out-of-country travel insurance.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• Pregnancy and Parental top-up leave program.
• A generous group retirement savings plan with 7.5% employer contributions.
• Vacation starting at 15 days per year plus 2 paid Ivey Personal Days.
• Paid time off during the School’s December holiday closure.
• Numerous campus-wide arts, culture, and sport events.
• Supports for professional development and career progression opportunities.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Ivey

Ivey Business School is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Please explore Ivey’s EDI homepage for more information on Ivey's commitment to EDI, to read about Ivey’s progress in the EDI Update, and to meet Ivey’s EDI Advisory Council members.

Ivey Business School invites applications from all qualified individuals. Ivey 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.

Accommodation

Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Please contact us [email protected] to notify us of any needs related to completing the job application, and/or throughout the recruitment process.

Artificial Intelligence

AI-supported tools may be used in parts of the selection process to help evaluate applications; however, our HR system itself does not include any AI functionality. All hiring decisions are made by people.

Application:

If you're excited about joining Canada's leading business school and meet the qualifications, please submit your resume and cover letter via the Ivey Careers page by the application deadline.

*Please note only selected candidates will be contacted.