The Walrus values collaboration, trust, and excellence and is committed to its staff’s personal and professional development. Working within our current strategic plan, which emphasizes sustainability and deepening Canada’s conversation(s), we are building our development team to increase philanthropic revenue to support our core journalism while strengthening donor and stakeholder relationships.

The Senior Manager, Philanthropy is a seasoned, experienced fundraising expert who will hold significant responsibility for executing a major gifts strategy with respect to individuals, foundations, corporate philanthropy, grantmaking, and fundraising events. They will identify opportunities to connect philanthropy with journalism, raising new revenue and fostering long-term relationships with funders, with an emphasis on bringing in revenue at the five-figure and six-figure levels.

The Senior Manager, Philanthropy will report to the Head of Philanthropy, and, day-to-day, will work closely with the Donor Relations Officer and the Annual Giving Officer, as well as with the executive director, editorial staff, and volunteer board members. Like all positions at The Walrus, this is a hands-on role, with exciting opportunities to shape the future of Canada’s journalism, storytelling and conversations on the most critical topics of the moment.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of donations ranging from donations from $5,000 to $100,000, some being multi-year.
• Conduct meetings with prospects and donors and establish a monthly quota for research and proposal submissions, resulting in new philanthropic revenue.
• Propose and launch new friend-raising and fundraising strategies and tactics to build a strong supporter base.
• Ensure excellent stewardship practices for donors, including personalized updates, reports and related follow-up.
• Strengthen engagement with and appreciation for fact-based storytelling and conversation through new stewardship and engagement opportunities for donors.
• Conduct data mining and prospect research using our central CRM, research and giving platforms (Salesforce, iwave, Darwin and Canada Helps).
• Conduct prospect research and strategize approaches based on event attendance lists for The Walrus Gala, The Walrus Talks and leadership events, and other events.
• Plan and oversee aspects of our major annual fundraiser, The Walrus Gala, in collaboration with the development team.
• Produce succinct, well-written and confidential snapshots, profiles, and briefing documents to inform fundraising activity at the executive and board level.
• Develop and maintain important reporting and tracking protocols to provide information and data internally and externally, and ensure consistent documentation.
• Self-manage some administration for event management, fundraising and prospecting.
• Monitor and report on trends within individual, foundation, and corporate philanthropy.

Qualifications

• Business Administration degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of three years of proven success in an administrative/operational role.
• Must be familiar with Mac operating systems.
• Must be familiar with Google Suite and MS Office Suite.
• Excellent computer and office equipment skills, including Salesforce, Excel, and Xerox machines.
• Accounting and accounts receivable experience is an asset.
• Knowledge of how to troubleshoot common computer and IT issues.

Skills Required

• At least six years of experience in a comparable role.
• Demonstrated success in soliciting major donations, and in working with senior staff and volunteers to develop a fundraising plan and strategies for key prospects.
• Understands and has relationships in the donor community in Canada.
• Self-starter, able to think creatively, adept problem solver; ability to manage multiple projects with minimum supervision.
• Ability to write compelling, strategic funding proposals and reports that have resulted in funding, with a strong attention to detail.
• Excellent oral, written, and virtual communication skills – ability to respond to communications and requests in a timely fashion.

Compensation and Benefits

The compensation package includes a competitive base salary ($85,000 – $95,000) and a full benefits package consisting of medical, dental, vision, prescription, and paid vacation. It also includes flexible, hybrid work, including a collaborative office environment in downtown east Toronto. We also have half-day summer Fridays and a week off over the winter holiday break.

How to Apply

Please consider joining our team if you have a commitment to a career in fundraising and are interested in elevating our work to produce exceptional journalism. To apply, please send your resumé and cover letter with “Senior Manager, Philanthropy” in the subject line to careers@thewalrus.ca by 5 p.m. ET on Friday, August 30, 2024. Applicants are welcome to share a portfolio if they have one.

The application deadline may be extended until the position is filled.

The Walrus supports diversity and inclusion in our work. We value employment equity and strongly encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, and other racialized people, people with disabilities, people of all genders, and LGBTQ2+ people.

If you require any accommodation in the recruitment process, please let us know by email at careers@thewalrus.ca.

• Experience in managing and executing fundraising events or similar events
• A growth mindset and desire to advance Canada’s conversation by championing philanthropy at The Walrus
• Ability to work evenings for The Walrus events as required, and to attend weekly team meetings at our Toronto office.
• Ability to work both independently and participate collaboratively in a small, fast-paced and lean team environment