THE OPPORTUNITY

With the vision to stimulate a world of generosity and positive social good through fundraising best practice, the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter continues to be a global leader. As the largest chapter in the world, we are excited to find a new Executive Director to guide the team of staff and volunteers towards excellence, innovation, and continued success.

Reporting to the President of the Board of Directors and leading a team of five staff, the Executive Director role is critical to accomplishing the ambitious goals that have been set forth in AFP Greater Toronto Chapter’s strategic plan. The Executive Director will plan and oversee the tactical implementation of the strategic plan and will work with key stakeholders to enhance the membership of the organization through recruitment, volunteer management, and through the development and delivery of programs and services.

The Executive Director and team will focus on supporting volunteer leaders and members with excellent customer service; elevating key program and service offerings; increasing member engagement; and growing membership and revenues. This will be accomplished through proactive and open communication, transparent goals setting and strategic prioritization, efficient systems and processes, and innovation. Collaboration with stakeholders is essential to ensure understanding of the AFP community’s needs, as is addressing emerging trends and opportunities for educational exploration in the industry.

Further, to leverage the strengths and positive impacts of the Greater Toronto Chapter on the larger Association of Fundraising Professionals organization, the Executive Director will also work closely with key stakeholders to support activities of AFP Canada, the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy (Canada) and the AFP Government Relations Committee.

The role will work in a hybrid model, with a combination of home-based and in-office work. The current office is located at 260 King Street East in Downtown Toronto however, the office location will be changing in Summer 2022. The new location is still to be determined but will be in the downtown core, or on mid-town on the subway line.

Please note that the Executive Director will participate in Board and Committee meetings which typically take place in the offices of our volunteers. In person meetings and conferences are expected of the Executive Director when local mandates and lockdowns permit. The Executive Director is also expected to take meetings outside of 9-5 hours. Consequently, candidates must be comfortable travelling within the GTA as needed post-pandemic. There will also be occasional national or international travel.

ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is the professional association of individuals and organizations that generate philanthropic support for a wide variety of charitable institutions. Founded in 1960, AFP advances philanthropy through its 26,000 members in more than 241 chapters throughout the world. AFP has inspired global change and supported efforts that have generated over $1 trillion. AFP’s individual and organizational members raise over $115 billion annually, equivalent to one-third of all charitable giving in North America, and millions more around the world.

Providing community access to many types of educational programs about fundraising, including the annual International Conference on Fundraising (ICON), one of the largest gatherings of fundraising professionals in the world, is an important offering of the AFP. They offer career and leadership development programming for all fundraisers through collaborations with Korn Ferry and the American Association of University Women, and they work to raises public awareness and interest in philanthropy through programs such as National Philanthropy Day® (now a permanently recognized day in Canada by the federal government), Youth in Philanthropy, and AFP’s awards program.

An original founder of and current participating organization in a worldwide certification program through Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) International, the AFP actively encourages research on fundraising and philanthropy, including the Nonprofit Research Collaborative Year-End Fundraising Survey; the Fundraising Effectiveness Project, which looks at how charities can be more efficient in their revenue generation; and the annual Compensation and Benefits Study, focusing on fundraising salaries. AFP also partners with many leading organizations to further the profession and philanthropy, and works to support legislation and regulations that encourage philanthropic giving and ethical fundraising across the industry.

ABOUT THE AFP GREATER TORONTO CHAPTER

The AFP Greater Toronto Chapter is a recognized leader in promoting philanthropy and providing education, training and best practices to those in the fundraising profession. With more than 1200 members, the Greater Toronto Chapter is the largest of more than 240 in the world. The AFP Toronto Chapter holds 2 major educational events each year, AFP Fundraising Day and the AFP Congress, both of which attract a diverse array of attendees in the non-profit world from across the country and often beyond. In addition, AFP GTC offers several, webinars, in person (when allowed) networking and learning sessions and social events throughout the year.

Vision – To stimulate a world of generosity and positive social good through fundraising best practice.

Mission – AFP empowers individuals and organizations to practice ethical fundraising through professional education, networking, research and advocacy.

Strategic Plan – To move forward with shared vision and clear intention, AFP GTA’s Strategic Plan (2019-2023) has been designed to best help the new incumbent and the team of staff and volunteers model their programs to achieve success. The five pillars of the strategic plan enable the team to clearly anchor their goals and intentions to an organizational priority. The Executive Director will be responsible for designing and leading the implementation of all elements of the plan.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AFP

• AFP Greater Toronto Chapter Website
• AFP Canada
• AFP Global
• Board of Directors
• Five-year strategic plan
• Events & Education
• Toronto Blog
• AFP Fact Sheet
• AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada
• AFP Greater Toronto LinkedIn
• AFP Greater Toronto Facebook
• AFP Greater Toronto Twitter
• AFP IDEA

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and operation of the AFP Greater Toronto Chapter. The new incumbent will also support the work of AFP Canada, and the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy Canada. Key areas of responsibility include:

AFP Greater Toronto Chapter (75%)

Governance

• Participate and actively contribute to strategic discussions with the Board, representing the strengths and best practices employed by the Toronto Chapter.
• Support the Board of Directors and ensure all identified business processes run effectively.
• Oversee and enhance the administrative effectiveness of all Board committees, with special attention to the HR, Finance, and IDEA committees.
• Report to the Board and oversee discussions relating to risk assessment and mitigation for the Chapter.

Annual Planning

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to lead the translation of the five-year strategic plan into an actionable operational and financial plan.
• Work with key stakeholders to oversee and support the implementation of the strategic plan.
• Develop, monitor and evaluate key performance metrics to support the outcomes of the strategic plan; communicate and consistently report on these metrics to key audiences, including staff and the Board of Directors.

Financial Management and Revenue Generation

• Oversee all elements of the financial management of the AFP Toronto Chapter, ensuring the long-term financial health of the organization.
• Develop and manage Chapter budgets and targets, maintaining strict enforcement.
• Develop performance metrics for all revenue streams and develop clear and consistent analytics to report on the progress and outcomes of finances against set KPI’s.
• Oversee risk assessment and risk mitigation as it relates to the financial administration of the Chapter.
• Leverage the Chapter’s ability to increase revenues through registrations, sponsorships, donations and other revenue generating streams.

Communications and Facilitation

• Create operational infrastructure to effectively manage the flow of information between the Board of Directors, volunteer committees and staff.
• Create a digital fluency across the AFP Toronto Chapter, working with staff, volunteers and other stakeholders to build a culture of digital impact across the organization.
• Oversee reputational risk assessment and mitigation options for the Chapter.
• Ensure that key stakeholder groups have accessible and timely methods to give and receive feedback.
• Work with key stakeholder groups to collaborate and leverage brand strength across the AFP Toronto Chapter community.
• Work with key stakeholders to create a culture of collaboration and effective integrated workflow across the Chapter.
• Oversee and guide staff responsible for relationship management with appropriate vendors and suppliers providing goods and services to the organization.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Manage and direct five staff members to perform their role and coach and guide them to develop their professional skillsets; oversee hiring and on-boarding for future staff members.
• Oversee the creation, monitoring and evaluation of performance plans for all staff, including quantitative and qualitative goal measurements.
• Promote and enhance the culture of ongoing knowledge acquisition and inherent professional development across the team to help build the internal culture of life-long education.
• Direct activities and lead the team to deliver on their respective pieces of the operational plan; report back to the team on collective and individual impacts that have moved the strategic plan forward.
• Lead the team through all change management that occurs during the leadership transition and going forward as the Chapter enhances and grows in services.
• Assess resourcing model up against deliverables.

Volunteer Management

• Oversee all volunteer committees to ensure they are well resourced and able to productively deliver on their responsibilities.
• Ensure the volunteer journey from first point of contact to relationship stewardship is intentional and positive, mindful of volunteer experience and productive and impactful outcomes for the Chapter.
• Facilitate a strong and authentic working relationship between volunteer committees and paid Chapter staff, promoting a culture of support, inclusive communications, and impactful collaboration.

Events and Program Management

• Oversee the successful execution of all Chapter conferences and programming.
• Oversee the selection of contracted event producers to ensure the effective and timely execution of key Chapter conferences and programming.
• Manage the relationship and relevant contracts with all event vendors (suppliers, contracted event producers, etc.) to ensure effective and timely delivery of goods and services.
• Build, grow, and steward relationships with companies who support the Chapter through sponsorships, exhibiting and vendors; identify new business development opportunities with current or new corporate partners.
• Oversee and participate with all Event Committees and support and strategically guide all event activities.

Member Engagement

• Develop and implement a plan to enhance current membership engagement.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to attract, recruit and retain Chapter membership; ensure that all Chapter members are well supported and communicated with about news, Chapter events, available benefits and resources, etc.
• Oversee the implementation of a new membership management database (Association DNA).

AFP Canada (10%)

Governance

• Supervise the Development Associate of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada.
• Work in collaboration with key stakeholders providing administrative support for AFP Canada and the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada to achieve their goals.
• Support the annual Canadian Leadership Retreat and the Red & White Reception at AFP ICON by overseeing registration management, and on-site event management, and assist with the delivery of sponsorship benefits.
• Provide support for the effective administration of special projects of the AFP Canada Government Relations Committee as needed.
• Serve as a representative on key committees across the three bodies as needed; attend key Board and Committee meetings.
• Act as a primary contact for requests for advice and member-related service for AFP members based in Canada.
• Support the financial administration of AFP Canada.

 

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• A seasoned strategic leader with experience in a non-profit, professional association, or related field, and with a track record of sound operational and management skills.
• Experience working with, supporting, and motivating a volunteer board of directors, with diverse backgrounds, personalities and levels of skill and knowledge.
• A demonstrated record of success in operationalizing and implementing a strategic plan, including KPI development and management.
• Experience in successfully managing the current and long-term financial health of an organization, including overseeing annual budgeting, accounting and reporting standards.
• Excellent communication skills, with a natural ability to influence, build consensus, and inspire others to productive action.
• High degree of cultural competence and a demonstrated commitment to the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity and access in the charitable sector.
• An experienced team leader and staff manager with a demonstrated ability to attract, retain, mentor, motivate, and lead a team of staff with various levels of experience and expertise.
• Proven experience collaborating effectively with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders.
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail and high quality of work.
• Excellent time management and project management skills, with experience in event management.
• High level of confidence in using data to analyze and report on programs and outcomes.
• Ability to resource and manage work with outside suppliers and contractors (IT, finance, events, etc.)
• Experience in managing and growing successful membership campaigns, with experience in enhancing the member value proposition and moving towards the ideal member experience.
• A high level of digital literacy with experience in leveraging online communication platforms, information systems and other technology both internally and externally.
• Solid understanding of office technology and association management systems and databases.
• Bachelor’s degree or other higher education in an area of study applicable to the role, or an equivalent combination of education and expertise in the field.

Availability and ability to travel within Canada up to 10% of the time.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Association of Fundraising Professionals has retained KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.) to lead this search on their behalf. Inquiries and nominations should be directed to Tara George, Partner / Lead, Search + Talent via email at AFPToronto@kcitalent.com.

Candidates are asked to please submit both a resume and a letter of interest to the above email address by March 17, 2022.   All inquiries and applications will be held in strictest confidence. 

Please note that the salary range for this position is $140,000 – $160,000 and a range of benefits.

Please visit www.kcitalent.com to view the full Executive Brief.

The hiring committee will work to ensure a diverse range of people receive this notice and are encouraged to apply in accordance with our statement of diversity and inclusion.  We work to ensure that all interested parties have genuine, open and unhindered access to volunteer and career opportunities, free from any barriers, systemic or otherwise.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) will lead our sector in achieving inclusion, diversity, equity and access by taking continuous, quantifiable actions, dedicated to these goals, throughout AFP governance; leadership and staff; chapters; committees; membership; volunteers; and, programs and activities.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Toronto Chapter (AFP-GTC) is committed to maintaining a safe environment for our employees, volunteers, contractors, vendors, business partners, visitors and guests. Effective January 1, 2022, all current and new AFP-GTC employees are required to be fully vaccinated. New employees will be required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment before the first day of employment. “Fully vaccinated” means having received the dosage of one or more vaccines, which may, in time, require booster shots that provide full protection in accordance with Ontario public health guidance. Any employees refusing to comply with the requirements under this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including unpaid leave or termination, except for those who qualify for accommodation.