About our client: Our client is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals through education, mentorship, and community support, with a focus on developing purpose-driven leaders who create meaningful impact.
This is a remote role that can be based out of Vancouver, BC or Toronto, ON.
Position Scope: The Senior Director of Development will lead and execute the Foundation’s fundraising strategy during a period of transformation and growth.
This is a high-impact, hands-on role for a true builder — someone energized by the opportunity to create, test, and scale a fundraising function from the ground up within a very lean, entrepreneurial organization. As only the second full-time team member, the successful candidate will work closely with a highly engaged Founder and can make an outsized impact in shaping and advancing the Foundation’s fundraising future.
This role requires a high degree of autonomy and an ability to operate both strategically and tactically, serving as the primary driver of all fundraising activity — from pipeline development through to donor engagement and stewardship.
The successful candidate will play a critical role in driving revenue generation while also shaping how the organization positions itself to donors, communicates its impact, and engages a growing global community of supporters.
Responsibilities:
- Partner closely with the Founder and Executive Director to develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including clear priorities, target segments, and revenue goals across individual donors, foundations, family offices, and corporate partners.
- Build and actively manage a pipeline of prospective donors from the ground up, including conducting research, identifying new funding opportunities, and initiating outreach to establish meaningful connections.
- Lead all aspects of donor engagement across the full lifecycle — cultivation, solicitation, closing, and stewardship — with a focus on securing and growing mid-to-major gifts.
- Develop tailored solicitation strategies and materials, including customized proposals, grant applications, sponsorship packages, briefing notes, and presentations to support donor engagement and conversion.
- Create and deliver compelling fundraising communications and storytelling, translating program impact into clear, donor-centric messaging that resonates with a global and aspirational audience.
- Draft and oversee the production of donor reports and impact updates, ensuring accuracy while showcasing measurable outcomes and individual transformation stories.
- Champion proactive donor stewardship by delivering timely, personalized, and meaningful engagement, including acknowledgements, renewals, and opportunities for deeper involvement.
- Establish and track fundraising KPIs and performance metrics, using insights and data to continuously refine approach and improve outcomes.
- Support targeted campaigns and outreach initiatives, including digital fundraising efforts and direct donor communications, with a focus on testing and optimizing engagement strategies.
- Work collaboratively with a small, globally distributed network of primarily part-time and international contributors, with limited day-to-day operational support to align fundraising efforts and ensure strong execution across regions.
- Contribute to broader organizational planning as the Foundation scales, including identifying future resource needs and helping to build a sustainable development function.
- Participate selectively in donor meetings, cultivation events, and virtual engagement opportunities, representing the Foundation with credibility and professionalism.
- Operate with a very high degree of autonomy, taking full ownership of fundraising outcomes in a start-up environment.
- Devote a portion of capacity to scholarship program support, including scholarship applicants’ interviews, and other online and in-person engagements.
Required Skills and Knowledge:
- Passion for the cause of women empowerment, a strong understanding and devotion to the mission the Foundation.
- Solid fundraising track record.
- Cross-cultural work experience and exposure to multicultural environments is an asset.
- Work closely with the Founder & President.
- A highly entrepreneurial mindset is essential — this role requires someone comfortable building from scratch, operating without extensive infrastructure, and personally driving fundraising activity in a very lean organizational setting
- For this role, the focus of the fundraising is on Canada and the US. Coordinate with a part – time Director of Development in HK for international fundraising strategy and execution
- Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong sense of diplomacy, and demonstrated ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with colleagues, donors, and other stakeholders.
- Exceptional writing and communication skills, with a strong ability to inspire and motivate donors in response to calls to action.
- Ability to work independently, rise to new challenges, with an unwavering commitment to detail.
- Ability to manage both strategic initiatives and hands-on administrative tasks with seamless execution.
Education and Experience:
- A degree in fundraising, communication, marketing or a similar field of study or work experience equivalent.
- Minimum 5-10 years of experience in fundraising with a solid record of fundraising results.
- Computer proficiency in using the MS Office suite.
AI Disclosure: AI will not be used in the recruitment process.
Vacancy Disclosure: This is a newly created position and does not replace an existing role.
Summit Search Group is a fair and equitable search firm. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.
Pay: $115,000.00-$145,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
