Manager of Philanthropy, Major and Planned Giving (3 Year Contract)

Algonquin College • Ottawa, ON

3d • CA$53 - CA$67 • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy and as a member of the Advancement Management Team, the Manager, Philanthropy – Major and Planned Giving is responsible for leading and executing a comprehensive, strategic, and integrated planned and major giving program. With a primary focus on planned and legacy giving, this role advances both long-term and immediate philanthropic sustainability by securing documented legacy commitments and significant current gifts in support of Algonquin College’s priorities. The incumbent develops and implements multi-year planned and major giving strategies aligned with College priorities, incorporating best practices in donor engagement, campaign management, and ethical fundraising. Planned and legacy giving serve as a central pillar of this work, with strategies intentionally embedded across donor relationships and, where appropriate, integrated into major gift conversations. The role leads several multi-million-dollar fundraising initiatives, working closely with College leadership, academic and non-academic units, and Advancement colleagues to develop compelling cases for support, coordinate communications, recruit and manage volunteer champions, and execute effective cultivation and solicitation activities. As a frontline fundraiser, the position manages a diverse portfolio of 125+ individual donors and prospects across planned and major giving. With responsibility for securing documented planned gift commitments and raising a combined total of $1–2 million annually through both planned and major gifts, the role builds and sustains a strong pipeline of philanthropic support. The incumbent ensures donors are meaningfully cultivated and stewarded through personalized communications, engagement opportunities, recognition, and impact reporting, reinforcing the College’s role as a trusted steward of philanthropic intent. In addition to frontline fundraising, the Manager provides strategic leadership for planned giving marketing, donor education, and performance reporting, and serves as the College’s internal subject matter expert on legacy philanthropy. The role collaborates closely across Advancement, including Major Gifts, Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, and Marketing and Communications, to ensure a coordinated donor experience, adherence to institutional policies and ethical fundraising standards, and alignment with the College’s long-term philanthropic goals. A collaborative strategist and skilled project manager, the incumbent thrives in a results-driven environment and plays a key role in advancing the College’s mission through sustained individual philanthropy.

Requirements

• Minimum four (4) year Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations or Public Administration. Equivalent combination of relevant education and work experience may be accepted in place of formal education.
• Minimum seven (7) years experience in working as a front-line major gift fundraiser with a portfolio of 125+ prospects and donors.
• Demonstrated success securing multi-year major gifts (five- and six-figure) and planned/legacy gift commitments (e.g., bequests, life insurance, securities).
• Experience developing and implementing fundraising campaigns and strategies for planned giving.
• Experience conducting complex, trust-based donor conversations, including legacy and estate-related discussions requiring discretion and sound judgement.
• Experience mobilizing and working with volunteers, senior leaders, and professional advisors in support of major and planned giving initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of fundraising principles, including major giving, planned giving, campaigns, CRA regulations, and ethical standards.
• Experience developing cases for support, proposals, gift agreements, and donor communications aligned with donor intent and institutional priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Certified as, or pursing, a Canadian Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation is considered an asset

Responsibilities

• Develop, execute and implement a major donor revenue program in conjunction with the Director of Philanthropy, Advancement Services, College leadership and volunteers to confirm multi-year financial commitments for approved College priorities.
• Determine strategies, using a data-informed approach, including plans for securing financial support, with goals, objectives, detailed strategies to secure major and campaign gifts.
• Develop and implement individualized engagement strategies for 125+ prospective and existing major gift donors through solid management of the donor cycle encompassing prospect identification and qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and then recognition and stewardship stages.
• Determine donor interests and alignment with College priorities.
• Negotiate formal gift agreements.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of planned giving prospects and donors.
• Secure documented planned gift commitments, including bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, gifts of life insurance, gifts of securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds), and other legacy gifts through estate plans.
• Lead thoughtful legacy giving conversations aligned with donor intent and institutional priorities.
• Steward confirmed legacy donors to strengthen long-term relationships and encourage advocacy and additional commitments.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive planned and legacy giving strategy aligned with institutional priorities and campaign goals.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, and retirement plans
• Access to training, tuition assistance programs (Algonquin College Courses and Degree Completion), certifications, workshops, and professional courses
• Lifetime retirement pension (for full-time employees)

What This Job Offers

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