Description

United for Literacy is a national, charitable literacy organization that was founded in 1899.
We work with children, teens, adults, and families who need help improving their literacy skills. We work with a variety of partner organizations to deliver volunteer-run, community based programs across Canada. United for Literacy is accredited under the Imagine Canada Standards program.

Overall Accountability
In this new role, the Vice President will provide leadership, vision, strategic oversight, and direction to the organization’s fundraising, communications, and government relations programs ensuring all plans and related activities are in alignment with the mission, values, strategic and operational plans, practice standards and policies.

The Vice President, Philanthropy and Communications will build and lead an integrated revenue strategy that prioritizes collaboration, consistency, and innovation to drive revenue and awareness, supported by an experienced and capable team.

The Vice President, Philanthropy and Communications is an integral part of the Senior
Leadership team which includes the President/CEO; Vice President, Finance; Vice
President, Operations; and Vice President, Programs and Impact. This team has a direct
and immediate connection to the Board of Directors of United for Literacy along with the
Board of Directors of United for Literacy Foundation.

Candidates for the role of Vice President, Philanthropy and Communications will be
considered from anywhere within Canada.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership and Planning (10%)

• Builds and leads the integrated revenue strategy for the organization including the development of annual and long-range plans and associated budgets aligned with the organization’s strategic plan, mission and vision.
• Establishes the strategic focus, objectives, and annual goals, for marketing, communications, and government relations in support of the strategic plan.
• Oversees development and execution of annual operating plans including key performance measures to ensure tracking of goals.
• Identifies emerging trends and opportunities to influence, innovate, develop, and support plans that impact vision, long-term organizational strategy, and drive revenue.
• Contributes as a member of the senior leadership team to the strategic direction and annual business plans, working collaboratively with colleagues across the organization.
• Builds, manages, and sustains internal relationships necessary to support organizational goals by liaising effectively with staff and Board; attending, and contributing at meetings, and accurately representing the needs and interests of the organization.
• Ensures budgets meet guidelines and timelines and provides ongoing reporting of progress against targets.

Fundraising and Partnerships (35%)

• Accountable for the team’s annual revenue goals, performance, and budget for fundraising programs including but not limited to individual giving (annual, major, and planned giving; campaigns; institutional funding (corporations, foundations, government), and events.
• Establishes goals and metrics and evaluates fundraising program results.
• Collaborates with the Programs team to identify and maximize cross-functional fundraising opportunities and ensures alignment with the organization’s mission and goals.
• Acts as primary relationship manager for a portfolio of individual and institutional prospects, donors, and partners to achieve personal and team fundraising goals.
• Strategically engages and supports volunteers, board members, and internal leadership to cultivate prospects, and solicit and close gifts.
• Provides strategic oversight, management, and leadership of the campaign cabinet for the upcoming strategic campaign and future significant campaigns.
• Ensures strategic and effective donor relations are implemented including recognition, stewardship, and engagement.
• Oversees the development and execution of donor communications and appeals, identifying key communication materials and events for existing and potential donors, partners, and funders.
• Provide leadership for the development of event strategies, including United for Literacy signature events and 3rd Party events.

Communications and Brand (25%)

• Provides strategic oversight to the development and implementation of annual and longterm plans related to marketing, communications, and brand.
• Directs and oversees all aspects of marketing and communications including brand management; advertising, promotion, media relations, collateral, website, and digital and social media.
• Ensures consistency and adherence to brand standards.
• Collaborates with Senior Leadership to triage communication priorities and evaluate opportunities, requirements, and resources to support organizational goals.
• Acts as a spokesperson for the organization with media, partners, and the public as required.
• Oversees relationships with vendors, agencies, and other partners.

Government Relations (10%)

• Establishes and oversees United for Literacy’s government advocacy and revenue generation strategy focusing on organizational priorities in collaboration with the CEO and Director, Government Relations.
• Acts as a point of contact for some government officials in support of the organization’s government relations goals and priorities.
• Monitors legislative and policy issues impacting United for Literacy, guide positioning, and support execution strategies in consultation with the CEO and GR staff.

Team & People Leadership (20%)

• Builds commitment and engagement to the vision, mission, and values of theorganization.
• Communicates organizational goals and objectives to achieve the strategic plan and produce results for learners, partners, supporters, and other stakeholders.
• Establishes performance plans and objectives; ensures each team member has clear accountabilities and goals that align with organizational annual and long-range plans.
• Develops high-performance teams that bring a diverse range of experience and perspectives and are aligned with organizational and strategic priorities.
• Supports the achievement of individual and team outcomes and goals through coaching, feedback, and performance management.
• Hires, supervises, guides, coaches, and monitors the performance of Directors.
• Supports the recruitment, orientation, performance, and succession planning of the full team.
• Encourages and monitors professional development.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Progressive leadership experience in fundraising, marketing, and communications.
• Demonstrated experience leading a comprehensive, integrated fundraising program and team including major and planned giving, campaigns, corporate partnerships, government funding, annual giving, and events.
• History of successfully planning and delivering strategic fundraising and communications programs that align with organizational priorities.
• Proven personal success in securing philanthropic contributions from individual and institutional donors and funders.
• A strong understanding of donor stewardship and its importance in strengthening and deepening  donor relationships with demonstrated success in building donor engagement programs, to support the delivery of meaningful donor experiences.
• Knowledge of the Federal, Provincial, and Municipal political environment.
• Experience contributing to and/or leading government relations activities for an organization.
• Success in building and retaining high-performing teams including recruiting, coaching, managing, and inspiring staff.
• Ability to articulate the big picture, cultivate and empower teams and leaders to do the same to think creatively to design and implement strategy.
• Effective and inclusive change manager with experience integrating structures and designing workflows that maximize collaboration and efficiencies.
• Experience providing leadership, supporting, and mobilizing boards, committees, and senior volunteers in a fundraising capacity.
• Ability to promote a highly collaborative environment; manage competing interests and maintain a positive, flexible, and responsive attitude.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences effectively and passionately.
• Proven ability to build and manage complex and diverse budgets.
• Experience leveraging data and working with fundraising databases and systems to drive fundraising growth. United for Literacy uses Donor Perfect for fundraising and Salesforce for programs and volunteer management.
• Strong judgement with experience identifying, anticipating and mitigating issues.
• Knowledge of and interest in promoting a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the workplace.
• University degree is in a related field. A combination of education and experience will be considered.
• CFRE certification is an asset.
• Occasional travel across Canada. Attendance at all Board meetings in Toronto is mandatory (3x per year)
• Ability to work confidently and proficiently in French is considered an asset.

Compensation: The salary range for this role is: $110,000 – $130,000.
Comprehensive benefits are also provided.

Interested candidates should send resumé and covering letter to:
Sandi Kiverago, VP – Operations: skiverago@unitedforliteracy.ca

Closing date: March 1, 2023.

We welcome applications from individuals who self-identify on the basis of any of the
protected grounds under the Human Rights Code. We are committed to integration and
maintaining the independence of individuals and removing barriers to accessibility in the
workplace. We are committed to full compliance with the Human Rights Code, the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and
all other applicable legislation. We invite applicants to request accommodations, as required,
throughout the application and hiring process.

You will be contacted if you are selected for an interview