Director, Philanthropy – UNICEF Canada

THE OPPORTUNITY

UNICEF Canada is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and strategic leader to be their next Director, Philanthropy, playing a key role in growing philanthropic support and advancing the mission to empower Canadians to invest in the future of every child.

Reporting to the Vice President, Development, the Director will be a major catalyst for ambitious fundraising growth, driving results aligned with the organization’s Strategic Plan while championing a culture of philanthropy, collaboration, and innovation.

The Director will manage a focused principal gift portfolio of roughly 50 seven- and eight-figure donors across a range of fundraising priorities and giving opportunities, with a special focus on qualifying new prospects and strengthening all fundraisers’ ability to develop transformational gift strategies.

Working closely with prospect managers and in consultation with the Vice President, Development, the Director will co-create qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that move prospects toward meaningful engagement and investment. A true team player, the Director will also secure and steward new principal gifts, elevating the principal giving efforts of the entire Major Gifts team.

UNICEF Canada currently operates under a Flexible-Hybrid model that requires team members to attend the office at least two days/week (Tuesday & Wednesday).

The target hiring range for this position is $125,000 – $140,000 and includes comprehensive benefits. UNICEF Canada team members have access to a robust compensation package, a commitment to wellness, a culture of learning and growth, an inclusive and purpose driven workplace and a chance to do meaningful and life-changing work.

 

ABOUT UNICEF & UNICEF CANADA

UNICEF is the world’s farthest-reaching humanitarian organization for children. Across 190 countries and territories, and in the world’s toughest places, we work to help children survive. To defend their rights. To keep them protected, healthy and educated. To give them a fair chance to fulfill their potential.

Undaunted by war, disaster, disease or distance, UNICEF works day in and day out to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children with healthcare and vaccines, nutrition, clean water and sanitation, protection, quality education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF is on the ground before, during and long after humanitarian emergencies, and our global supply chain and local presence means we can rapidly send help, even before it’s needed.

UNICEF Canada’s mission is to inspire Canadians to ignite global change and lasting impact through UNICEF – the world’s most powerful force for children. Founded in 1955, we are one of 32 National Committees located in countries around the world. Our team exists to fundraise for UNICEF’s highest priorities, and to work neutrally with governments and the private sector in Canada and internationally to advance the rights and well-being of children and youth. We are committed to racial justice and a more equitable world for every child.

We are guided by the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, advocating for the protection of children’s rights, helping to meet their basic needs, and giving them a fair chance to reach their full potential.

Working at UNICEF Canada

UNICEF Canada is committed to diversity and inclusion within our team and encourages qualified applicants of all gender identities and sexual orientations, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, and life experiences to apply & be part of our organization.

UNICEF Canada’s team is results driven and shares a belief in our mission and organizational values including diversity and inclusion, integrity, and commitment. We have a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• About UNICEF Canada
• 70 Years of Impact
• Leadership Team
• Board of Directors
• Where your Money Goes
• 2024 Annual Report
• 2024 Financial Statements
• UNICEF Canada Blog

 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Fundraising (70%)

• Manage a focused Principal Giving portfolio of ~50 seven- and eight-figure individuals/families and related giving vehicles, leading qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship and with a particular emphasis on engaging unqualified prospects new to UNICEF Canada.
• Build and maintain a robust donor pipeline by developing principal gift proposals and securing new commitments, while retaining and growing existing donors, all with a focus on achieving ambitious targets.
• Develop a deep understanding of UNICEF’s program priorities and use this knowledge to craft compelling, innovative proposals that inspire transformational partnerships.
• Build and expand the Principal Giving program across the Development team using relationship mapping, referrals, strategic networking, and event follow-up to drive new opportunities.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, CSEO, and Vice President, providing prospect strategy, briefing materials, and relationship management support to advance the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of principal gift donors.
• Leverage the networks and relationships of UNICEF Canada’s Senior Management Team and global UNICEF leadership to advance donor engagement.
• Collaborate with Board members and other key volunteers, as appropriate, to strengthen donor engagement, leverage networks, and advance the cultivation and solicitation of principal gift prospects.
• Partner with the Planned Giving team to design and implement blended-gift and asset-based giving strategies for high-net-worth individuals and families.
• Participate in pipeline reviews and prospect strategy meetings to advance Individual Philanthropy’s progress on principal-level prospects.
• Build the skills and confidence of individual fundraisers – formally and informally – by offering coaching, sharing best practices, elevating philanthropic insights, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Strategy (30%)

• Contribute to cross functional, collaborative Principal Giving strategy sessions with Philanthropy colleagues to strengthen alignment and long-term revenue growth.
• Enhance the effectiveness of prospect managers by advising on qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies; champion donor-centric process improvements and help remove barriers to a culture of philanthropy across UNICEF Canada.
• Implement plans supporting UNICEF’s billionaire strategy, collaborating across Individual Philanthropy and with Institutional Philanthropy; partner with UNICEF’s global Private Fundraising and Partnerships team and other National Committees to engage emerging and established billionaires with ties to Canada.
• Identify and activate opportunities through UNICEF’s International Council for high-potential donors and prospects.
• Provide insights and recommendations to the Vice President, Development on best practices for Principal Giving structures, processes, and business rules to strengthen organizational effectiveness.
• Lead the transformational giving pipeline, activity metrics and KPI deliverables, and contribute to the revenue reporting and forecasting in coordination with the Director of Development (Major Gifts).
• Support the maintenance of robust business rules and best practices for Principal Giving prospect clearance, coordination, data hygiene and integrity with support from the Prospect Researcher and other data specialists.
• Contribute to organizational strategic and operational planning as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team, bringing forward insights that elevate revenue growth and philanthropic impact.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated and progressive success personally cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding seven-figure gifts, including complex or blended gifts requiring negotiation and collaboration with institutional leaders.
• Proven ability to create multi-layered, transformational gift proposals that inspire high-level philanthropic investment.
• Skilled at building effective internal relationships, collaborating across teams, and sharing successes to strengthen organizational impact.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with executive leadership and the Board of Directors to drive fundraising strategy, support board engagement and cultivate transformational donor relationships.
• Able to work independently while being a highly engaged, team-oriented partner within a small, high-performing fundraising team.
• Deep familiarity with the broader philanthropic community, influencers, and trends.
• Experience navigating complex, multi-team environments.
• Strong organizational, time management, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, with the ability to influence and engage donors and cultivate long-term relationships.
• Solid knowledge of fundraising best practices, including donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic, and mission-driven, with a strong work ethic and commitment to advancing UNICEF Canada’s impact.
• Demonstrated interest in the organization’s programmatic work for children and willingness to invest time to develop deep subject-matter knowledge.
• Strong alignment with UNICEF Canada’s mission, vision, and values.
• University degree or college diploma in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• The ability to communicate effectively in both English and French would be considered a strong asset.
• Professional fundraising designation recognized in Canada is an asset (e.g., CFRE or equivalent).
• Proficiency with CRM databases and data-informed decision-making.
• Willingness to travel domestically and occasionally internationally (approximately 10%).

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

KCI Search + Talent has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of UNICEF Canada. For more information about this leadership opportunity, please contact Jill Anderson, Associate Vice President, KCI Search + Talent by email at UNICEFDirector@kcitalent.com.

All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence. To apply, please send resume and letter of interest to the email address above by July 16, 2026.

To view full position brief, please visit www.kcitalent.com

UNICEF Canada is an inclusive workplace and is committed to championing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process by contacting the Search Consultant.

At UNICEF Canada, we believe strongly in personal connections and our hiring process is entirely human-driven. We do not use AI or automated systems to review applications or conduct interviews. Each candidate is evaluated by our experienced team to ensure a fair and thoughtful hiring experience. This posting is for a current vacancy.