About McMaster University
Founded in 1887, McMaster University is a research-intensive public university. McMaster is dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being. McMaster is ranked in the world's Top 80 publicly funded universities by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. With a total student population of more than 37,000, McMaster welcomes students from 120 countries as well as Canada. Home to more than 70 research centres and institutes, McMaster University is comprised of the six faculties of Business (DeGroote School of Business), Engineering, Health Science, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences. McMaster's 30-acre main campus, located in the Westdale neighbourhood of Hamilton, Ontario, is comprised of 300 acres of scenic property at the western end of Lake Ontario, between Toronto and Niagara Falls. McMaster University also has three other regional campuses: Burlington, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Niagara.
NexusHealth
NexusHealth is a partnership-focused health innovation accelerator based in McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences. Working across Health Sciences, Engineering, and other disciplines, NexusHealth brings together academic and non academic partners across government, public health, industry, and communities to co-develop transformative health solutions with broad social impact. The Raison D’être A tremendous chasm prevents many of the promising discoveries made in academic laboratories from ever reaching society and benefitting our communities. While universities - and McMaster in particular - excel at publishing ‘high-impact’ research, that impact is too often limited to the academic sphere. To more efficiently move innovations from universities out into society, critical partnerships with leaders from industry, government, public health, and our communities must be forged. At NexusHealth, they have created a still-growing ecosystem of partners who, together, can find new efficiencies and opportunities on the road to translation.
Advancement at McMaster University
McMaster’s vibrant student experience, world-class research, and community engagement are empowered by the support of thousands of alumni and donors who also believe strongly in McMaster. Together, McMaster’s donors and alumni help make the university what it is today and help nurture the next generation of leaders in our world. The Advancement leadership team provides overall strategic leadership and direction in the areas of fundraising; developing and building partnerships; and engaging with donors, alumni and stakeholders. The Advancement team also plays a critically important role in advancing the McMaster’s strategy, in support of McMaster’s ambitious vision, in partnership with the academic and administrative leaders across the University. The Advancement team has a centralized/decentralized structure, with strategies established and coordinated centrally, along with some programs and services (e.g. Annual Giving, Leadership Giving, Principal Giving, Corporate Giving, Estate Giving & Legacy Planning, Stewardship, overarching Alumni programs, Research & Prospect Analytics, and Gift Processing services), whereas other programs and services are delivered ‘locally’ through decentralized, dedicated Development and Alumni staff embedded within the Faculties and units. McMaster is currently in the planning phases for a comprehensive fundraising campaign.
The Position
The Associate Director, Development, NexusHealth, will work collaboratively with advancement and academic leadership to contribute toward major gift fundraising benefiting NexusHealth. NexusHealth is a McMaster-based health innovation accelerator, designed to transform how the modern university catalyzes the translation of health-related discoveries to tangible new health solutions. It brings together stakeholders from across sectors and working together in new ways to more efficiently move novel health solutions from university labs to society, where they can benefit the patients who need them. Their ethos of co-design ensures stakeholders from different sectors have input at all stages of research, helping to shorten the pathway from ideation to implementation. The Associate Director will work alongside their team to identify, cultivate and solicit major gift donors who align to the mission and vision of NexusHealth. As a key priority for McMaster, the NexusHealth funding priorities have been well-defined, and the Associate Director will use their fundraising expertise to fuel the mission by securing major philanthropic commitments. As Associate Director, Development you will drive the identification, cultivation, and development of a customized fundraising and recognition/stewardship plans for some of McMaster's most significant funders.
In addition to managing a personal portfolio of major gift prospects, the Associate Director will directly supervise a Senior Development Officer, providing coaching, performance management, portfolio strategy, and professional development to ensure strong pipeline growth and donor stewardship across NexusHealth priorities.
Our candidate will be very comfortable leading a portfolio of major gift prospects. They will have demonstrated experience operating independently and with a high degree of excellence and tact. Past direct donor solicitation of six figure (and larger) gifts will be a requirement for this role.
University Advancement at McMaster University is a flexible, dynamic and ambitious team. They strengthen McMaster's relationships, secure new revenue and develop a pipeline of funders and supporters for the University.
Key Accountabilities
Be the primary driver of overall private fundraising revenue for NexusHealth, the Faculty and the University in support of their objectives.
- Lead a Senior Development Officer, providing coaching, performance management, and assistance with portfolio strategy and providing professional development opportunities
- Proactively champion opportunities for new revenue in support of McMaster’s research and educational goals, within the Faculty.
- Work with funders toward gifts of a minimum of $50,000 - $5,000,000 which have a mid-to high degree of complexity and involve many different stakeholders, some of whom may be internal and external to the University.
- Work collaboratively on strategic gifts in partnership with University Advancement’s senior leaders, consistent with a team approach to development strategy.
- Advance and enhance the relationships, reputation, and resources of NexusHealth and the Faculty, through relationship building and revenue generation.
- In conjunction with the Director, Development, provide counsel to senior academic leadership on the largest gifts to the Faculty.
- As a leader on the FHS Development team, provide peer leadership efforts to secure and grow a base of major and principal gift-level supporters, and to steward these supporters in a manner so as to inspire them to establish, grow and sustain meaningful relationships with the University.
- As a leader on the FHS Development team, create and maintain positive, productive relationships and build and support a vibrant, diverse and high performance team of professionals within the Faculty.
Provide peer leadership efforts to secure and grow a base of major and principal gift-level supporters, and to steward these supporters in a manner to inspire them to establish, grow and sustain meaningful relationships with the University.
- Ability to work closely with the senior officers of the University, in particular the President, Chancellor, Vice-Presidents, and Provosts and Deans.
Key Qualifications
- A University degree, or consideration given to equivalent combinations of education and experience.
- CFRE designation or equivalent is an asset.
- Proven track record of success in securing five to six figure gifts.
- Demonstrated experience in major giving fundraising, preferably within a matrixed environment.
- Experience working with senior executives and leadership volunteers. Ability to work effectively in a complex organizational environment.
- Exceptional ability to inspire and engage high-net-worth prospects, articulate institutional priorities, and present philanthropic opportunities. Strong prospect management, strategic planning, budgeting, and financial management skills.
- This position may require travel. A valid driver’s license and passport are necessary. Working at McMaster University
Pay Transparency Statement
The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions.
The compensation for this position is targeted between $110,000 - $125,000 plus a performance pay bonus eligibility of up to 10% of base salary, and comprehensive benefits and vacation.
Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies.
How To Apply
The University seeks qualified candidates who share their commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
Preston Human Capital Group has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of McMaster University. If you would like to apply, please send your CV and cover letter to Lindsay Preston (lindsay@phcap.ca) by October 16, 2026, at 5pm ET. Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you require any accommodation, please notify Lindsay Preston.
