Director, Development

About this position

ABOUT US

The David Suzuki Foundation is a Canadian environmental non-profit organization, founded in 1990. We operate in English and French, with offices in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. We are a Canadian settler organization striving to protect climate, nature and communities, respecting the rights and title of Indigenous Nations. We believe that Indigenous leadership is key to our collective future. We aim to work with many different peoples across Canada, including First Nations communities, all levels of governments and citizens who care for environmental justice, to find solutions to create a sustainable Canada.  We use research, traditional ecological knowledge, innovative policy and legal environmental solutions, communications and public engagement.

The vision we work toward at DSF is that we all act every day on the understanding that we are interdependent with nature, and with each other. To address the intersections of the climate and biodiversity crises with social justice and equity, the Foundation is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. As an organization, we are on a transformative journey to embed these values, decolonize our practices and become an anti-racist organization. Join us in creating a socially and environmentally just world, where diverse identities, lived experiences and world views are valued as essential to our collective future.

www.davidsuzuki.org

POSITION: Director, Development

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

JOB TERMS: Permanent full-time (34 hours/four days per week). Some travel, weekend and evening work required.

LOCATION: Based at any of our three offices: Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver. Hybrid working options available.

SALARY: $115,000 - $125,000

THE ROLE

As Director, Development, you’ll lead the strategic direction of our fundraising functions, in alignment with organizational priorities and philanthropic best practices. You’ll be responsible for developing and leading a national, bilingual fundraising strategy. You’ll oversee a team of 15 people, based in three offices (Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto).

With other members of senior leadership, you’ll guide the organization through a transformational change process currently underway, to build a healthy, equitable, anti‑racist organization, including by weaving inclusive, decolonized approaches into fundraising.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• In collaboration with senior leadership, lead organizational change to build a healthy, equitable, anti-racist organization.
• Oversee and achieve Community, Leadership and Legacy Giving team revenue targets, by planning and executing national fundraising strategies that align with organizational priorities, including heading major donor events.
• Build and manage relationships with existing and prospective high-value donors.
• Lead, coach and motivate Development staff (including five direct reports), supporting Leadership Giving staff to develop robust portfolios and relationship networks to reach their funding targets.
• Assist colleagues with program development to support effective, timely donor proposals and reports.
• Ensure compliance with CRA standards and AFP code of ethics for fundraising.

• Seven to 10 years’ progressing leadership experience in fundraising, with at least five years leading a non-profit sector development team.
• Experience in a senior leadership team, leading, mentoring and motivating diverse staff through organizational change and embedding equity, diversity and inclusion practices.
• Demonstrated success in individual giving program development and leadership with a proven track record soliciting and closing gifts of more than $100,000 and reaching annual revenue targets of more than $10 million.
• Participation in learning and transformative change related to philanthropy, such as decolonizing wealth and challenging status quo approaches to fundraising, an asset.
• Solid knowledge of development tools, policies, practices in the context of sustainability or environmental-related work in Canada an asset.
• Experience with a CRM system required (we use Raiser’s Edge NXT).

• Passion for our vision, values and strategic priorities. Committed to working collaboratively with colleagues toward a healthy, equitable, anti-racist culture.
• Positive, inclusive, equitable leadership and change management skills.
• Able to effectively collaborate across teams to advance multiple initiatives while managing competing priorities.
• Demonstrated strength in coaching a large, diverse, committed, engaged, professional, successful team.
• Strategic planning experience, including strong project management skills.
• Familiarity with and energy for new approaches to philanthropy that challenge systemic racism, colonial structures and shift entrenched fundraising power imbalances.
• Understanding of legislative frameworks governing fundraising in Canada and ethical codes of conduct for professional fundraisers.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, solid ethics and discretion.
• Spoken and written English required. French language skills preferred.

• Four-day workweek
• Competitive salary and generous benefits package
• Hybrid work opportunities
• Supportive work culture
• Chance to make a difference and help improve the health of our planet and all life on it