Senior Manager, Donor & Government Relations - Jays Care Foundation

Toronto Blue Jays • Toronto, ON

9d • CA$80,000 - CA$100,000

About The Position

The Jays Care Foundation is seeking a Senior Manager, Donor & Government Relations to join their Revenue Generation team. This role reports to the Director, Revenue, Lotteries & Marketing and is responsible for leading the strategy, development, and execution of government, foundation, and major donor relationships. The Senior Manager will focus on stewarding high-value partners, identifying and securing major gift and institutional funding, and ensuring exceptional donor experiences to advance the Foundation's mission. The ideal candidate is a strategic communicator and relationship-builder with expertise in donor engagement, public-sector funding, philanthropic storytelling, and cross-functional collaboration. They should be a compelling writer, an organized project manager, and a proactive leader comfortable in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, major gifts, or institutional giving, with demonstrated success securing and stewarding six-figure commitments.
• Proven experience managing government or foundation relationships and developing successful funding proposals.
• Exceptional writing, storytelling, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into compelling cases for support.
• Strong relationship-building skills with donors, government partners, and cross-functional teams at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage a relationship pipeline and develop tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Highly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic thinker with a solution-oriented approach, sound judgment, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Proficiency in Salesforce or other CRM platforms, with experience analyzing donor data to inform strategy.
• Passion for philanthropy and a strong connection to Jays Care’s mission.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in sports, youth development, or community organizations is a strong asset.
• Knowledge of baseball and passion for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement customized stewardship strategies to strengthen donor engagement, retention, and long-term commitment.
• Support the development of donor communications, impact reports, proposals, and stewardship materials.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure a consistent donor-centric voice across all channels.
• Work collaboratively across the organization to support the development, implementation and evaluation of giving campaigns.
• Support efforts to grow and retain the donor base, ensuring ongoing donor stewardship and enhanced engagement around general donations.
• Monitor and report on key metrics related to annual giving, adjusting strategies as needed to maximize fundraising effectiveness.
• Support curation of program impact stories to support philanthropic storytelling and deepen donor connection.
• Guide the development and fulfillment of gift agreements, recognition plans, and donor journeys for mid- and upper-level supporters.
• Integrate stewardship activities into key events and milestones to create meaningful donor touchpoints.
• Actively prospect, cultivate, solicit, close, and renew major gifts of $25,000+ annually, including multi-year six-figure commitments.
• Maintain accurate and timely donor cycle activities in Salesforce, including actions, forecasting, and future activity planning.
• Oversee proactive identification, research, and cultivation of individual, foundation, and government funding opportunities.
• Lead the submission of complex, high-value grant proposals and manage all reporting requirements.
• Monitor and manage a robust funding pipeline, working across departments to ensure accurate grant budgeting, impact tracking, and compliance.
• Use Salesforce and other tools to support segmentation, renewal strategies, and data-driven decision-making.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for federal and provincial government contacts, overseeing relationship development, funding identification, and ongoing stewardship.
• Support the creation of customized presentations, proposals, briefing notes, Q&As, and detailed reports for government funders.
• Design and execute strategic communications with government officials, ensuring timely outreach, follow-up, and compliance with requirements.
• Monitor legislation, policy developments, and media to inform government relations strategy and identify emerging opportunities.
• Manage government prospects and partners through all stages of the pipeline, including solicitation, reporting, and renewal.
• Identify and pursue new and expanded government funding opportunities.
• Provide supervision, mentorship, and performance management to a direct report.
• Lead annual planning processes related to government, foundation, and major gift fundraising and stewardship.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to advance organizational funding priorities and represent donor perspectives in strategic planning.
• Develop and manage annual and monthly budgets to maximize revenue and ensure cost-effective operations.

Benefits

• Discretionary bonus opportunities
• Vacation entitlements
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Front-office perks that reflect the excitement and community of working in baseball
• Opportunities to develop leadership potential and grow resume with new skills and experiences
• Opportunities to win monetary scholarships for college/university
• Staff recognition awards/prizes (with great Blue Jays swag!)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed