Senior Director, Philanthropy
Hi there,
We’re so glad you found us.
It is an exciting time at Kids Help Phone. We are on a transformational journey, one that will reshape the landscape of youth mental health in Canada.
In March of last year, we launched Feel Out Loud, a historic, national movement anchored by a fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $300 million by the end of 2024 to reach young people in every corner of Canada with expanded access to e-mental health services.
We’re adding to our innovative fundraising team who will help fuel this mission. If the thought of making a positive impact on the mental health of young people in Canada inspires you, this could be for you.
First, here’s a bit about our story:
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only free, 24/7 service offering professional counselling, information, referrals, and texting support for young people in both English and French. We provide life-changing support to youth millions of times each year (over 4.3 million in 2023 alone).
We began in 1989 as a unique telephone counselling service, and for nearly 35 years, we’ve evolved our response and innovated our offerings and technology to stay relevant to youth, recognizing the complexity of issues they face.
Today, Kids Help Phone has become more essential than ever before. So has our goal of transforming to meet the needs of young people in Canada. As a part of our strategic objective of maximizing access, we’re committed now more than ever to reaching more people in every corner of Canada.
Do you want to join our journey and make a meaningful impact?
Unlock your potential. Carve out a career as unique as yourself. Grow with us.
The Opportunity
Kids Help Phone is seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial, detail and results oriented Senior Director Philanthropy to lead our Philanthropy team. A strong developer of relationships and strategic thinker, the Senior Director Philanthropy sets the direction for the portfolio related to Major Gift fundraising for individuals, foundations, and corporations. The role is also responsible for prospect management for the Philanthropy Department to ensure KHP is leveraging opportunities with existing donors and cultivating new relationships.
The Senior Director, Philanthropy will lead a team of four fundraisers (based in Toronto) to successfully secure 6-and-7-figure pledge and work closely with their peers cross-departmentally and across the country to collaborate on strategy and to ensure alignment. They will work closely with the Interim Vice President, Philanthropy & Community Partnerships and other senior leadership on closing and supporting transformational commitments.
The Senior Director, Philanthropy will be personally accountable for $5M+ raised, with $1.5M+ in cash and will lead their team in a truly national effort to secure a team revenue budget of $35M+ raised.
Not only will our successful candidate be a strong leader and manager, but they will also need to be strong at managing up to senior management, as well as senior volunteers where appropriate. As a member of the department’s leadership team, the Senior Director, Philanthropy will work closely with department executives to build and manage giving pipelines that will support a ground-breaking, national campaign – the largest of its kind for youth mental health in Canada’s history.
What You’ll Contribute:
The scope of responsibility includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Responsible for the overall success of the Major Giving portfolio focused on the philanthropy of individuals, foundations and corporations
- Coach and mentor a team of four senior individuals, working closely with the Interim Vice President, SVP, Advancement and members of the Senior Advancement Leadership Team in the development and execution of the major gift giving strategy and pipeline
- In collaboration with the Interim VP Philanthropy & Community Partnerships, develop key growth strategies, manage operational work plans and monitor and evaluate key performance metrics to support the outcomes of the annual plan
- Partner with and support Advancement peers in Operations and Donor Experience functions, as well as Service peers relating to funding priority framework development
- Support ongoing build and execution of key pipeline reports and stewardship activities
- Lead prospect identification process, managing and continually building major gift pipeline across the stages of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Lead and inspire Kids Help Phone staff, particularly the advancement team, supporters, and collaborators to make their most effective contribution to the charity’s vision and mission
- Ensure that objectives, projects, and critical paths for all fundraising programs are being met and that the agreed major gift processes are being followed
- Prepare donor correspondence, proposals, call reports, and other materials as required for portfolio activities
- Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in non-profit management, programming, and major gifts
- Provide fundraising thought leadership, advice and guidance as needed to address key national and regional issues
- Consult and collaborate with the leadership team on issues that may have broader regional and or nationwide implications
- Embodying Kids Help Phone’s vision and values both internally and externally
What You’ll Need:
- University degree and/or equivalent education and a minimum of seven years’ experience (specifically relevant, progressive experience in fundraising, the most recent in major gift/campaign fundraising)
- 3+ years’ experience mentoring and leading teams who exhibit strong alignment to mission, and who consistently produce results
- Demonstrated track record of achievement in securing major gifts independently and ability to identify, develop and “close” funding relationships
- Familiarity with comprehensive fundraising functions and regulations, including Imagine Canada Standards requirements.
- Superior interpersonal skills, including the ability to relate effectively with people at all levels both internally and externally
- Exceptional writing and presentation skills and the ability to effectively communicate to a diverse constituency
- A results-oriented focus, a driven attitude and an entrepreneurial approach to fundraising and problem solving.
- Proficiency working with Microsoft Office suite of products and Raiser’s Edge or equivalent database is an asset
- Experience working with a non-profit Board of Directors and other senior-level advisory volunteers
- French language skills considered a strong asset
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to balance competing priorities
- Holds or is working towards the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation or equivalent will be considered an asset
- This position may require travel within Canada. A valid driver’s license and passport is required
Why Kids Help Phone?
- Meaningful opportunities to make an impact
- Modern, collaborative space and an environment where you are valued and appreciated
- Employee Wellness programs
- Extensive medical, dental, and optical coverage
- Work/life balance and flexibility
- We take great pride in our first-class team and culture. Open-door approach at all levels
- Rapidly growing organization with a focus on continuous innovation
- Real-time coaching and feedback, growth opportunities, and a supportive and collaborative team
To learn more about Feel Out Loud: the largest youth mental health movement in Canadian history:
- The Feel Out Loud Campaign Cabinet – a group of extraordinary philanthropic and business leaders who are deeply committed to unlocking hope for all youth across Canada
- What I Wouldn’t Do (North Star Calling) – a star-studded anthem and video created by over 50 Canadian artists who united across the country to form the musical collective Artists for Feel Out Loud, with the sole purpose of amplifying the conversation around mental health and empowering young people to feel out loud.
Join us!
Visit our careers page and apply now!
For more information about Kids Help Phone, please visit our website: https://kidshelpphone.ca/
Accredited member, Imagine Canada Standards Program.
Kids Help Phone is an equal opportunity employer, values diversity of people and communities, and is committed to excellence and inclusion in our organization. We welcome applications from visible minority group members, women, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups, and others who respect and reflect the diversity of service users.
Kids Help Phone is committed to providing barrier-free environment and accommodation in accordance with the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise Human Resources person if your require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process.