Director, Development & Strategic Partnerships

  • Full-time

Company Description

Join the country’s most trusted environmental organization and become a force for good!

About the David Suzuki Foundation

Always grounded in sound evidence, the David Suzuki Foundation empowers people to take action in their communities on the environmental challenges we collectively face. Through evidence-based research, policy analysis, education and citizen empowerment, we conserve and protect the natural environment to create a sustainable Canada.

Our mission is to protect nature’s diversity and the well-being of all life, now and for the future. Our vision is that we all act every day on the understanding that we are One with Nature. #OneNature

You can learn more about us at www.davidsuzuki.org

The David Suzuki Foundation hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equality and diversity within its community and to a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We especially welcome applications from Indigenous persons, visible minority group members, women, persons with different abilities, people of all sexual orientations and genders, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. 

Job Description

Position Title: Director, Development & Strategic Partnerships

Terms: Permanent, full-time (4-day week). Some travel, weekend and evening work will be required.

Location: Based at our Vancouver Office

Reporting to: Our COO

Salary: Based on experience

  • Are you a talented senior fundraising leader looking for that next challenge?
  • Are you passionate about saving the planet and leading a team of exceptionally talented, bright, and passionate people working at making a real difference in the world? 
  • Would you like a chance to lead growth and diversification of revenue in a nationally acclaimed organization in order to support protecting nature’s diversity and the well-being of all life, now and for the future?

About the role:

We are currently looking for a passionate, collaborative, and committed Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships to join us at our DSF Vancouver Headquarters. 

Reporting to our COO and working with a highly motivated management team, our board of directors, and leading the Development team, you are responsible for the strategic development and management of DSF’s fundraising functions.

DSF works through effective partnerships and an extensive network of relationships with Canadians of all walks of life. In this role you oversee the approach, processes, systems and tools that sustain exceptional relationship management.

Your Responsibilities

  • Oversee and responsible for achieving income targets in both the community giving and leadership giving teams and income streams including legacy giving efforts.
  • Lead highly motivated Development and Strategic Partnerships team located in three different locations.
  • Personify good values, judgment, solid ethics and discretion in all your dealings.
  • Proven ability to build trusting, collaborative and productive working relationships that help deliver integrated strategic results and furthers our organizational development.
  • Build and manage the highest-value funder relationships and secure new major donors giving six and seven figure gifts.
  • Steward respectful relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Plan and execute national fundraising strategies for the entire development department, including specific strategies for income in community giving and leadership giving.
  • Coach and motivate the leadership giving team to develop robust portfolios and relationship networks to reach their funding targets.
  • Assist other directors and colleagues in program development in order to write proposals and secure funding for program needs.
  • Organize successful fundraising events for major donors.
  • Ensure compliance with CRA standards for fundraising.

Qualifications

Skills, Experience and Knowledge Required. 

Your Education and Experience:

  • Undergraduate degree in communications, public relations or equivalent is required. Graduate degree is an asset.
  • 7 to10 years’ progressive leadership experience in fundraising with at least 5 years’ experience leading a development team.
  • Demonstrated success in individual giving program development and leadership with a proven track record in soliciting and closing gifts of $100,000+ and in reaching $10M+ annual departmental revenue targets.
  • CFRE designation and membership in AFP are assets.
  • Solid knowledge of development tools, policies, practices and debates; and the context of sustainability related work in Canada.
  • Experience with Salesforce and Raiser’s Edge is a strong asset.
  • You have experience in the environmental and non-profit sectors.

What You Bring to the Role:

  • Exceptional leader with strategic planning abilities, including strong project management skills.
  • You are an inspiring leader with a donor-centric philosophy.
  • Expert in legislative frameworks governing fundraising in Canada and ethical codes of conduct for professional fundraisers.
  • Demonstrated strength in leading a large team that is aligned, engaged and highly professional and successful.
  • Expert in applying best practices to maintaining effective fundraising tools and applications including Salesforce and Raiser’s Edge.
  • Positive leadership and change management skills.
  • Significant professional network and national networking experience, liaising with senior leaders, NGOs and business.
  • Superb written and spoken English language skills required. French language skills are an asset.

What You Get:

  • Being a part of a team of superstars; our DEVO team is exceptional!
  • Generous benefit package.
  • 4-day work week.
  • Amazing work culture with smart colleagues that care.
  • An experience working in an organization with a focus on technology.

Additional Information

Additional information

Please submit your cover letter and your resume online and submit your application by going to https://davidsuzuki.org/careers/

The position will stay open until November 16, 2020. Only qualified applicants will be contacted for interviews.

We are dedicated to building equity within our organization and recognize the importance of our diversified workforce. We encourage women, First Nations, Inuit and Metis candidates, members of visible minorities and persons with different abilities to apply.