Associate Director, External Relations ( Fundraising/Fund Development)

DEPARTMENT: Fund Development & Program Design
COMPANY: Skills for Change
LOCATION: 791 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto ON
REPORTS TO: Director, Employer Engagement & Partnerships, and Program Marketing
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent (Management)
HOURS: 35 hours per week (Monday-Friday, with occasional evening and/or weekend hours)
START DATE: Immediately
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY:

With over 40 years of operations, Skills for Change is a highly respected non-profit charity with a province wide reputation for pioneering programs that respond to shifting immigration and workplace trends and lead to employment. We offer a range of accelerated programs including mentoring, employment, settlement, language training together with specialized programs for skilled trades, women, and youth. We have 5 locations across the GTA and serve 16,000 clients annually. We believe we are in the best position to provide thought leadership through evidence-based programming, impact stories and proactive policy advocacy using knowledge mobilization products.

PROGRAM NATURE AND SCOPE:

Skills for Change is seeking an exceptional leader, skilled in strategic business development, revenue generation and relationship building, to be its Associate Director, External Relations. Reporting to the Director, Partners and Employer Engagement, and a key member of the senior management team, the Associate Director, External Relations develops and executes comprehensive and systematic external relations and revenue generation strategies in support of SfC’s mandate – providing opportunities for immigrants and refugees in Canada across economic integration and training, mental health, entrepreneurship, gender-based violence elimination, settlement, research, convening and celebrating their exceptional contributions to Canadian society.

This is an external facing role that emphasizes donor relations, gift solicitation, grant writing to government and non- government agencies, and the management of all fundraising opportunities. This position is a key driver in designing and executing short and long-term fundraising goals for SfC is responsible for ensuring that those goals are met. The Associate Director, External Relations collaborates internally with colleagues at all levels including the CEO, Directors, CFO and other leaders. As a respected voice and representative for SfC, the Associate Director, External Relations engages a broad range of member and partner organizations that include federal, provincial, and municipal government departments, private sector organizations, post-secondary institutions, non-profit organizations, and foundations.

As the ideal candidate, you are a skilled fundraiser, relationship-focused leader, with success and great comfort engaging and building meaningful partnerships with a range of stakeholders, including funders, members, and partners. You bring to SfC a bias to action, initiative, and an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, as well as a deep passion for supporting Immigrants and Refugees and SfC’s community-building role. As a manager, you are an empowering coach and mentor who builds dynamic, responsive, and resilient team cultures that value service, inclusivity, equity, and diversity. Your experience and skills in media relations and communication would be assets. You will ensure compliance with fundraising best practices, including all ethical guidelines and principles outlined by the Canada Revenue Agency, Imagine Canada, Association of Fundraising Professionals, and Canadian Centre for Philanthropy.

Required Education:

• College or University diploma/degree. Preferences will be given to candidates with education in Business, Communications, Marketing and Non-profit Management
• Current Certified Fundraising Professional Executive certification is required Work Environment
• Full-Time position, 35 hours of work/week. Flexible hours; including evening and occasional weekends are required.
• This position is based out of Skills for Change Head Office, and also requires working in the community

Qualifications:

•  At least 5-7 years’ experience with management experience in nonprofit fund development, including major gift, annual and business sponsorships and demonstrated success in leading grant writing and fundraising team
• University degree and/or equivalent relevant experience.
• Established reputation as a thoughtful leader known for building deep and lasting relationships with staff, donors, volunteers, and stakeholders
• A proven successful track record in prospecting, soliciting, and securing donations from corporations, family foundations, and high net worth individual
• Detailed knowledge of Canadian charity laws, ethics, and CRA regulations
• Applicants with CFRE designation and professional membership with AFP strongly encouraged to apply
• Computer literacy and a knowledge of donor database systems
• Ability to use social media for fundraising and donor cultivation
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication, writing and public speaking skills
• Able to build and maintain lasting relationships with key donors, partners, stakeholders, staff, and volunteers
• Exemplary planning skills: ability to identify strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create, and implement action plans, and evaluate the process and results
• Current Driver’s License with valid proof of insurance and reliable access to a vehicle required

PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO:hr@skillsforchange.org

Skills for Change provides learning and training opportunities for immigrants, refugees and equity seeking groups to access and fully participate in the workplace and wider community to persons with disabilities to newcomers to Canada (including refugees) to Indigenous peoples to members of a visible minority to children or youth to seniors to the LGBTQ2 community Skills for Change offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in each stage of the hiring process. If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation. This document is available in alternate format on request.

If you have an interest in joining one of Canada’s leading Immigrant and Refugee serving organizations, please send your resume and cover letter in confidence. Please include “Associate Director, External Relations” in the subject line of your email.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those under consideration for the role will be contacted.