Director of Philanthropy & Partnerships

Connective

1d • CA$111,200 - CA$136,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Connective is a dynamic non-profit organization that provides innovative programming in the social services sector. We strive to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all.

ROLE PURPOSE
The Director of Philanthropy & Partnerships is a senior leadership role responsible for building and leading Connective’s fundraising and philanthropic capacity. Initially operating as a highly engaged individual contributor, the Director will work in close collaboration with Connective’s executive team and a network of external consultants to establish the fundraising infrastructure, donor relationships, and revenue diversification strategy that will support the organization’s long-term growth and mission impact.

This is a foundational role. The Director will build from the ground up establishing systems, cultivating relationships, and developing the case for support that positions Connective as a destination for philanthropic investment. Over time, as Connective’s fundraising activities mature, the role is expected to evolve into the leader of a dedicated philanthropy function with team leadership responsibilities.

Requirements

• A relevant post-secondary degree in Business Administration, Communications, Non-profit Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum seven to ten years of progressive experience in fundraising, philanthropy, corporate partnerships, sponsorship development, business development, or revenue generation
• MFA-P, CFRE or other relevant designation strongly preferred
• Demonstrated track record of cultivating and closing significant gifts, partnerships, or sponsorships with evidence of building relationships that generate sustained organizational investment
• Experience building a fundraising or business development function from an early stage, including establishing systems, processes, and infrastructure
• Proven ability to develop compelling cases for support and fundraising narratives that resonate with diverse donor and partner audiences
• Experience with donor management or CRM platforms and fundraising reporting frameworks
• Strong knowledge of the philanthropic landscape in BC and Canada, including foundation, corporate, and government funding environments
• Experience working in or alongside a non-profit, social services, or mission-driven organization is a strong asset
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation is an asset
• Ability to successfully complete a Criminal Records Check
• Ability to successfully pass a reference check
• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation for donor and partner meetings
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada, observe their weekly hours limit if under a temporary or study visa, and provide proof of eligibility if selected for the role.

Nice To Haves

• MFA-P, CFRE or other relevant designation strongly preferred
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation is an asset

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of Connective’s fundraising and philanthropy strategy, establishing a multi-year roadmap that diversifies revenue and reduces dependence on any single funding source
• Identify emerging funding opportunities, philanthropic trends, and revenue sources that align with Connective’s mission and strategic direction
• Work in partnership with external consultants to build fundraising infrastructure and benefit from specialist expertise as the internal function matures
• Report regularly to the CAO and executive leadership on fundraising progress, pipeline status, and strategic priorities
• Advance Connective’s corporate partnership strategy — identifying, developing, and stewarding strategic collaborations and investment opportunities with corporate partners
• Develop and manage sponsorship opportunities, including national events, campaigns, and strategic initiatives that align with Connective’s mission and partner interests
• Build a compelling corporate partnership value proposition that articulates the mutual benefit of investing in Connective’s work
• Maintain a robust pipeline of prospective corporate partners and manage relationships through the full partnership lifecycle
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donor relationships building a portfolio of high-value individual donors committed to Connective’s mission
• Develop and implement a major gifts program with clear ask strategies, stewardship touchpoints, and donor recognition frameworks
• Maintain exceptional donor relations ensuring donors are engaged, informed, and inspired by the impact of their contributions
• Identify and qualify prospective major donors through research, networking, and relationship development
• Coordinate and support the development of Connective’s Impact Fund in partnership with internal leadership and external stakeholders
• Define the strategic purpose, governance structure, and fundraising approach for the Impact Fund in collaboration with the executive team
• Build relationships with prospective Impact Fund donors, foundations, and institutional supporters
• Develop the case for support and donor materials specific to the Impact Fund
• Help define and strengthen Connective’s external fundraising narrative, partnership value proposition, and case for support ensuring Connective’s story is told compellingly and consistently
• Establish fundraising systems, donor stewardship processes, reporting frameworks, and performance metrics that support a scalable, professional philanthropy function
• Implement or optimize donor management technology to support relationship tracking, pipeline management, and reporting
• Develop grant research and application processes to pursue foundation and government funding aligned with organizational priorities
• Build and maintain relationships with a broad range of external partners, corporate, foundation, government, and community, that support Connective’s fundraising and partnership objectives
• Represent Connective at sector events, conferences, and community engagements to raise the organization’s philanthropic profile
• Collaborate with the Communications team to align fundraising messaging with Connective’s broader external communications strategy
• As Connective’s fundraising function matures, lead the development of a dedicated philanthropy team, including recruitment, onboarding, and performance management of future team members
• Build team infrastructure, role clarity, and operating rhythms that enable a growing philanthropy function to perform effectively
• Mentor and develop future philanthropy staff, building organizational fundraising capacity over time

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package, including health, wellness, and pension plan
• Access to staff mental health supports, including an in-house counsellor, Employee Family Assistance Program, and Critical Incidents Stress Management
• Access to On-Demand Pay to withdraw earned wages before payday
• Connective is part of a portability program where employees moving from a CSSEA-member employer to Connective will port their service hours for vacation and wage purposes (within last 12 months)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior