Director of Development

Organization:

When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, the entire family is affected. Families literally can be torn apart as their daily routines are disrupted as parents move into the hospital to be with the sick child. Siblings, already worried about a brother’s or sister’s health, suffer greatly when their daily routines are disrupted. The financial devastation that can occur when one parent misses work for extended periods of time or leaves work entirely to care for their child can upset even the best-functioning family unit.

Chai Lifeline Canada steps in, offering whatever is needed. Counseling for each member of the family, volunteers who bring an extra measure of adult attention and stability to children’s lives, tutoring for children who must miss school for extended periods of time, family retreats, special sibling programs, information, peer and professional support, and two extraordinary summer camp programs for seriously ill children help families retain a sense of normalcy and hope while fighting even the most dire pediatric diseases. All programs are free of charge.

Core Values:

Dedication, empathy, integrity, respect and humility.

Position Summary:

Position Title: Director of Development

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Reports To: Executive Director

Direct Reports: Senior Campaign Manager, Senior Campaign Associate, Donor Relations Manager, Fundraising Coordinator

The Director of Development (“the Director”) is responsible for creating a strategy for fundraising for the organization. This will incorporate current fundraising initiatives including individual asks, grants, peer-to-peer and online campaigns as well as events, into a clear plan with key performance indicators (KPI) for fundraising, ensuring Chai Lifeline Canada can initially maintain, and ultimately grow our annual operating budget.

The Director will build strong relationships with key stakeholders and will be expected to make major gift requests. They will also build and maintain a strong development team to achieve plan goals and be responsible for the oversight of marketing plans in regards to fundraising.

Specific accountabilities include but are not limited to the following:

Drive the Development vision for Chai Lifeline Canada in partnership with the Executive Director and the Board.
Build and lead a team of Development Professionals in their efforts to achieve their professional goals and Chai’s mission.
Strengthen and extend Chai’s profile in the community through various strategic campaigns, engagements and speaking opportunities.
Oversee the research and evaluation associated with development programs.
Create and implement a Development Strategy to support organizational goals and ever-changing community needs.
Lead the team to develop fundraising, public/community relations and alumni activities related to the advancement strategy.
Lead, manage and actively engage in stewardship of partners, sponsors and donors, creating positive and enduring relationships.
Is familiar with the grant writing process and takes initiative when it comes to funding programs through sponsorship, individual giving and grant proposals.
Ensure the alignment of funding sources with the values and needs of the organization.
Build and oversee a solid prospect management pipeline to identify new opportunities for funding and partnerships.
Build community relations and serve as a community liaison when necessary.
Foster the growth of best practices in gift processing, data management and donor communications following CRA guidelines for gift acceptance, accounting, acknowledgment and donor management.
Lead Chai Lifeline Toronto’s Young Professional Council.
Provide oversight and direction on the design and branding of internal/external reports and communications.
Build and maintain close relationships with Board Members, Committee Chairs and Lay Leaders and engage them in fundraising efforts for the organization.

Critical Success Factors:

Key areas in which the successful candidate will be measured in year one:

Stakeholder Satisfaction: Will have gained the confidence and respect of the Executive Director, Senior Management Team, Board Members, Senior Volunteers and Clients.

Strategic Planning: Will have created a sound fundraising plan for the organization, including KPIs.

Robust Pipeline: In the area of major gifts and planned giving, will have proposals and plans both in development and ready to move forward. In addition to managing existing donors, this will include prospect identification through solicitation of names from Board Members, volunteers, current donors and program participants (where appropriate).

Personal Impact: Will have demonstrated an ability to personally solicit and secure major gift donations with a focus on both the number of tasks made as well as the amount of dollars raised.

Team building: Working with Human Resources, will have structured, built and overseen a strong development team capable of delivering on the fundraising goals outlined in the plan. This will include the hiring of two additional staff as well as creating a new Fundraising Committee composed of Lay Leaders in Toronto and Montreal.

Revenue: Will have maintained annual revenue at the current level of $5 million and have plans in place for 15% growth in year two of the fundraising plan.

Brand building: Will have worked with the operations team to develop a marketing strategy to build Chai’s brand within the community and broader charitable landscape.

Key Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will bring the following skills and experiences:

Minimum of eight years of recent and relevant experience in Development or Marketing for a not-for-profit or similar organization.
Proven exceptional relationship management and interpersonal skills, and the ability to inspire confidence and trust.
Superior listening skills and the ability to interpret the concerns and interests of potential stakeholders and translate them into attractive opportunities for investment in the development priorities.
Strong business skills including strategic planning, budgeting, leadership of programs and staff, execution of plans, evaluation, administration, and accountability to deliver results.
A track record of successful major gift cultivation coupled with a strong understanding of donor stewardship fundamentals. Comfort in working with C-Suite executives and high net-worth individuals.
Experience organizing, training and motivating volunteers.
Experience managing in a team-oriented department and ability to motivate staff to achieve the goals of the Development Department. Experience leading a team through uncharted territory to positive results.
Ability to organize and manage a diverse range of assignments and projects with high efficiency, yet thorough attention to detail and follow through.
Experience working with technology including Salesforce would be an asset
Experience working within the Jewish community

Leadership Characteristics:

Mission Driven

Believes in the organization’s mission and core values of dedication, empathy, integrity, respect and humility.

Team Builder

Leads the building of effective professional and volunteer teams committed to organizational goals; fosters collaboration among team members and teams. Can establish rapport and effective relationships; shares wins and successes; lets people be responsible for their work.

Relationship Builder

Effective at forging strong personal alliances at all levels both within and outside the organization; is personable, well liked and easily bonds with others; builds solid relationships characterized by mutual respect, loyalty and trust. Is open, flexible and adaptable, relating well to a wide variety of diverse styles and demographics.

Results Orientation & Organization

Is well organized and resourceful; effective and efficient in marshalling multiple resources to get things done. Is self-directed and exhibits a strong drive for results and success.

Strategic Agility

Strong capacity to think critically, make good decisions and problem solve. Sees ahead clearly; can anticipate future consequences and trends accurately; has broad knowledge and perspective; is future oriented; sees and focuses on the big picture but understands the details needed to make informed decisions; can create competitive and break through strategies and plans.

Communication

Listens well one-on-one and in groups; listens to not only what is explicit but also what is unstated to achieve a thorough understanding. Possesses a strong presentation and public speaking ability.

Interested applicants should email their resume to [email protected]
Please note, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Chai Lifeline Canada is committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment practices to applicants with accessibility needs in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA). Reasonable accommodations are available on request for candidates with disabilities taking part in all aspects of the selection process.