About the Role
Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services and indirectly to the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Philanthropy will work in partnership to assist in the further development and full implementation of the fund development plan for Headwater Learning Foundation, Calgary Academy and Headwater Learning Solutions. This individual will oversee the organizations’ fundraising efforts in the areas of major gifts and planned giving. The fund development team exists for the mutual benefit of all three organizations and their stakeholders. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership in establishing and developing long-term philanthropic relationships with high capacity prospects and donors while leading a team of fundraisers. The Director of Philanthropy will work independently and collaboratively with all departments in building out operational successions. This individual is a self-starter who will balance their time between contributing to fundraising strategy, identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of a portfolio of prospects and donors and coaching a high performing team. The Director of Philanthropy will develop and implement strategies that promote long-term sustainable growth and deepen the organizations’ relationships with donors.
Highlights of Key Responsibilities
Philanthropy
- Lead the development and implementation of the Capital Campaign developing high level metrics surrounding the success of the Campaign
- Successfully deliver on specific revenue targets related to the Capital Campaign
- Develop strategies to solicit and secure major gifts, including prospect research, customized proposal writing, presentations and direct involvement in major gift solicitations
- Communicate the organizations’ objectives in a persuasive and inspiring manner with all stakeholders
- Build and increase support for the organizations through active participation in identifying, cultivating and stewarding relationships and connections
Strategic Development
- Lead the continued development, implementation and expansion of the fund development program
- Contribute to sustaining a culture of philanthropy through sharing the impact of philanthropy on ability to advance mission and vision, and supports new program development and initiatives
- Support and provide input into the organizations’ new, upcoming 4-year strategic plan
Leadership
- Counsel and guide the organizations’ methods for fundraising and the role of philanthropy
- Establish performance metrics, drive the team to results and regularly report progress to the leadership team and Board of Governors/Directors
- Build out team capacity through investing time into coaching and mentorship
- Successfully manage fundraising budget
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum ten years’ of progressively responsible fundraising experience and a proven record of successful cultivation and solicitation of major gifts (five and six figure gifts)
- Minimum five years’ experience leading a team
- Demonstrated working knowledge of planning and execution of capital campaigns
- CFRE certification would be desired
- Solid knowledge of ethical principles and best practices relating to fundraising, prospect research, donor relations and communications
- Previous experience and familiarity with Raiser’s Edge
- Strong understanding of budgeting processes and data management
- Conveys a high degree of comfort in identifying, contacting, and developing new major gift prospects
- Possesses superior interpersonal skills, demonstrating diplomacy and foresight
- Demonstrates an outgoing, positive, group-win approach and a willingness to learn, teach and share
- Exemplifies excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Successfully manages multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Demonstrates professional maturity, resourcefulness, and self-discipline in engaging in the pursuit of the organizations
- Displays an ability to focus on the big picture without losing sight of the details in cooperation with the fund development team
- Develops and maintains cooperative, successful working relationships with staff, donors and volunteers through exceptional influencing, tact, and diplomacy skills
- Thinks strategically and creatively about engaging donors, developing plans of action, and following through
- Demonstrates presence, self-confidence, sound judgment, and superior problem-solving ability