Manager, Stewardship & Donor Relations

SickKids Foundation•Toronto, ON

3d•CA$82,064 - CA$117,971•Hybrid

About The Position

SickKids Foundation, with over 50 years of philanthropic impact is Canada's largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care, raising over $200 million last year. As a national charity, SickKids Foundation invests in national and international initiatives to benefit children in Canada and around the world. As the fundraising partner to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), we are aligned in supporting Precision Child Health (PCH), the future of tailoring medicine to each child's unique traits so SickKids can diagnose faster, treat smarter, and predict better. We are driven by our core values of integrity, collaboration, excellence, innovation, and inclusion, with goals of delivering a superior donor experience, investing in our people and culture, driving innovative and sustainable fundraising, and disrupting the market through data and technology. SickKids Foundation is committed to an inclusive culture by embedding equity, diversity and inclusion in our policies, practices, and behaviours. We aim to build awareness and skills in this area, both internally and with our partners. Our commitment extends to creating a safe, positive work environment. For details on our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion commitment, please click here. We’re committed to attracting and retaining passionate individuals to help create a healthier future. That’s why SickKids Foundation is looking for a new Manager, Stewardship & Donor Relations. The Manager, Donor Relations plays a central role in creating exceptional experiences that deepen relationships between SickKids Foundation and its most committed donors. Through thoughtful engagement strategies, personalized experiences, meaningful stewardship initiatives and innovative donor programming, you will help strengthen donor loyalty, inspire continued philanthropy and advance the Foundation's mission: Healthier Children. A Better World. Reporting to the Associate Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations, you will lead the Foundation's donor engagement strategy, working closely with fundraisers, communications, events, Hospital partners and cross-functional teams to design experiences that connect donors to the extraordinary impact of their philanthropy. In this role, you will oversee a team responsible for delivering donor engagement initiatives while serving as a strategic partner to fundraising teams across the Foundation. You will identify opportunities to elevate the donor experience throughout the philanthropic journey—from major campaign engagement and recognition societies to exclusive events, leadership volunteer stewardship and personalized touchpoints that build long-term relationships.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree or higher, preferably in Communications, Fundraising, Project Management or other applicable disciplines;
A minimum of 4 years of experience in the communications, fundraising or advancement fields;
Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with proven experience managing staff; enthusiasm for coaching and developing team members is preferred.
Strong project management skills;
Understanding of best practices in stewardship, gift agreements, and donor relations;
A proven track record in an advancement environment would be preferable;
Ability to think strategically and work independently in driving new initiatives and enhancing existing opportunities;
Previous experience leading, coaching and developing staff is preferred, with a passion for mentoring team members and supporting their professional growth;
Excellent donor and volunteer relations skills, with a keen sense of diplomacy;
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize and multi-task;
Organized, detail-oriented and strong execution;
Experience with Blackbaud or relational databases an asset; and,
Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

Enthusiasm for coaching and developing team members is preferred.
A proven track record in an advancement environment would be preferable.
Previous experience leading, coaching and developing staff is preferred, with a passion for mentoring team members and supporting their professional growth.
Experience with Blackbaud or relational databases an asset

Responsibilities

Deliver the Foundation's donor engagement strategy, ensuring meaningful experiences across all stages of the donor journey.
Design and deliver innovative donor engagement opportunities, programs and experiences that Relationship Managers can incorporate into their donor strategies to deepen connection and inspire continued philanthropy.
Lead the planning and execution of flagship donor engagement initiatives, including donor summits, leadership engagement opportunities and exclusive Foundation experiences.
Oversee stewardship strategies for Foundation leadership groups, including Board members, Emeriti and other strategic volunteer communities.
Lead the stewardship and engagement strategy for key Foundation initiatives, including TheNext150 and the Luminaries recognition program.
Manage the Foundation-wide donor engagement calendar, ensuring coordinated, intentional and donor-centred touchpoints throughout the year.
Work collaboratively with Communications, Events, Marketing and Hospital partners to deliver integrated donor experiences.
Evaluate donor engagement initiatives using data, feedback and participation metrics to continuously improve programming and demonstrate impact.
Provide leadership, coaching and mentorship to direct reports, fostering a collaborative, high-performing and innovative team culture.
Develop and implement standards, processes and best practices that strengthen donor engagement across the Foundation.
Identify emerging trends and best practices in donor relations and philanthropy, recommending new approaches that enhance the donor experience.
Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders while serving as a trusted advisor on donor engagement strategy.
Champion a donor-first mindset across the organization, ensuring every interaction reflects the Foundation's values and commitment to excellence.