The Fundraising and Development Manager leads the RIA fundraising program.  The role is responsible for inspiring and securing donors, executing the annual fundraising plan, and leading donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities.  The role will focus on RIA’s annual and major gift programs. The role works closely with the RIA communications team and the senior leadership team to profile the RIA and secure new donors.

The role will support RIA’s vision, mission, and values as well as have an interest and passion for enhancing quality of life and care for older adults and team members working in senior living.  Salary Range:  $75,000-$85,000

Posted On:  March 22, 2023

Closing On:  May 22, 2023

Location:  Waterloo, Ontario

Employment Type: Full Time (Indefinate Term Contract)

Job Experience:  Intermediate

Salary Range:  $75,000 – $85,000

Benefits: Extensive benefit package inclusive of health, dental, RRSP matching, and paid personal days. The position requires the team member to work in-office with occasional hybrid work.

Website:  https://the-ria.ca/

The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) is a charitable non-profit  organization that partners with the University of Waterloo, Conestoga College, and Schlegel Villages to enhance care and quality of life for older adults. Through engagement with key partners and collaborators, RIA supports practice relevant research and knowledge mobilization. Research evidence is used to inform programs, education and training, and influence practice and policy.

Primary Purpose

The Fundraising and Development Manager leads the RIA fundraising program.  The role is responsible for inspiring and securing donors, executing the annual fundraising plan, and leading donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities.  The role will focus on RIA’s annual and major gift programs. The role works closely with the RIA communications team and the senior leadership team to profile the RIA and secure new donors.

The role will support RIA’s vision, mission, and values as well as have an interest and passion for enhancing quality of life and care for older adults and team members working in senior living.

Key Accountabilities

1. Fundraising Lead: Implement a 2-year fundraising plan with tactics, metrics and timelines. Continue to develop and manage fundraising annual plans going forward, which include activities such as giving projects, while controlling financial outlooks and budgets.  Evaluate the performance of fundraising efforts to inform future activities and direction. Leverage technology (fundraising database) to manage donor records and engagement. Manage gift acceptance policy and develop fundraising standard operating procedures.  Contribute to creative brainstorming to develop new and enhance existing methods to raise funds for the organization.
2. Annual and Major Giving Programs: Oversee annual gift program for donors with gifts of less than $10,000 including memorial/tribute, monthly giving, family program and direct response focusing on donor acquisition, retention and renewal.  Oversee major gift program for donors with gifts over $10,000 including donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship with involvement of Executive Director and key board members.
3. Partnership and Relationship Development: Establish, maintain and foster relationships with donors and the community. Execute newly established stewardship program with a focus on donor recognition, accountability and impact. Research potential donors to gain insight into needs, beliefs and donation habits to identify strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships.
4. Teamwork: Pro-active and regular interaction with the communications team on fund development messaging and collateral materials. Provide supervision, leadership and mentorship to support staff and/or casual staff as part of our pooled-resource staffing model.
5. Other: Take on additional tasks, activities and special projects, as they arise.

Position Requirements

Education: 

Bachelor’s degree, college diploma or training/equivalent experience in fundraising. Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation or in process is an asset. Training or equivalent experience in fundraising.

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years experience in fundraising.
• Exceptional communication skills including oral presentations tailored to different audiences and written proposals, request letters etc.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and good judgment and respect the confidentiality of sensitive information and materials.
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to adapt to change and manage competing priorities.
• Self-starter with a proactive attitude who can anticipate needs with strong organizational skills.
• Experience and fluency using Microsoft and Google Workspace products.
• Experience with fundraising Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) software.
• Fluent in English. Fluency in French is an asset but not required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be available for occasional travel.
• Eligible to obtain a police background/criminal record check.

Scope of Work 

• Interpersonal Skills: Communicates effectively with internal team members and external partners; professionally represents the RIA in all communications and at events.
• Level of Responsibility: Responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of fundraising activities to achieve or exceed fundraising targets.
• Decision-Making Authority: Accountable to make operational decisions for the day-to-day operations with support from the executive director.
• Physical and Sensory Demands: Minimal demands, typical of a position operating within an office environment; periods of extensive sitting at a desk and in meetings and concentrated use of visual senses; substantial repetitive keyboard/mouse movement; high sensory demands because of required concentration and attentiveness to detail and regular distractions and interruptions.
• Working Environment: Much of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position with frequent opportunities to move about. Office is located in a comfortable indoor area. The work is varied and assignments may change frequently. Work will involve regular interaction with RIA team members and external partners and collaborators. There are deadline pressures, while at the same time there is a demand for thoroughness and accuracy. Travel, and a flexible working scheduling, which includes evening and weekend work, is required to perform the necessary duties of the position.

Vaccination Statement

All researchers, employees and students of the RIA who will work with long-term care homes, colleges, universities and other partners are required to comply with the vaccination policies of those external organizations to complete their work. Of note, vaccination policies are subject to change. The requirement to comply with those evolving policies does not change.

Equity Statement

The RIA is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion within its community and organization. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, racialized groups, women, LGBTQ2+ people, persons with disabilities and people from other equity-seeking groups.

The RIA is pleased to accommodate individual needs in accordance with the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) within our recruitment process. If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.

How to Apply

RIA invites applications (cover letter and resume) to be submitted by email to applications@the-ria.ca .  Please include the job title in the subject line of the email.