Director of Philanthropy & Partnerships

ROLE PURPOSE
The Director of Philanthropy & Partnerships is a senior leadership role responsible for building and leading Connective’s fundraising and philanthropic capacity. Initially operating as a highly engaged individual contributor, the Director will work in close collaboration with Connective’s executive team and a network of external consultants to establish the fundraising infrastructure, donor relationships, and revenue diversification strategy that will support the organization’s long-term growth and mission impact.
This is a foundational role. The Director will build from the ground up establishing systems, cultivating relationships, and developing the case for support that positions Connective as a destination for philanthropic investment. Over time, as Connective’s fundraising activities mature, the role is expected to evolve into the leader of a dedicated philanthropy function with team leadership responsibilities.
LOCATION
Hybrid, British Columbia
STATUS AND CLASSIFICATION

Exempt. This position is open to applicants of all genders
HOURS

40 hours per week; Monday to Friday, 0830-1630
This position requires the ability to work flexible hours based on operational needs.
WHAT WE OFFER?

Committed Living Wage Employer
2022, 2023 and 2025 Canadian Nonprofit Employer of Choice Award from NEOC
2023 High-Performance Culture Award from Supporting Lines
Competitive benefits package, including health, wellness, and pension plan
Career and personal development, with the ability to grow in a diverse range of programs and departments
Access to a range of staff mental health supports, including an in-house counsellor, Employee Family Assistance Program, and Critical Incidents Stress Management
Access to On-Demand Pay to withdraw earned wages before payday
Connective is part of a portability program where employees moving from a CSSEA-member employer to Connective will port their service hours for vacation and wage purposes (within last 12 months)

REPORTING AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports and is accountable to the Chief Administrative Officer
Works closely with Connective’s executive leadership team, including the CEO, VP of Communications and VP People & Culture
Collaborates with the Communications, Strategy, Finance, and operational leaders to align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities
Partners with a network of external fundraising consultants and advisors
Builds and maintains relationships with corporate, foundation, government, and community partners
Liaises with internal and external stakeholders in support of the Connective Impact Fund

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Fundraising Strategy and Leadership

Lead the development and execution of Connective’s fundraising and philanthropy strategy, establishing a multi-year roadmap that diversifies revenue and reduces dependence on any single funding source
Identify emerging funding opportunities, philanthropic trends, and revenue sources that align with Connective’s mission and strategic direction
Work in partnership with external consultants to build fundraising infrastructure and benefit from specialist expertise as the internal function matures
Report regularly to the CAO and executive leadership on fundraising progress, pipeline status, and strategic priorities

Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships

Advance Connective’s corporate partnership strategy — identifying, developing, and stewarding strategic collaborations and investment opportunities with corporate partners
Develop and manage sponsorship opportunities, including national events, campaigns, and strategic initiatives that align with Connective’s mission and partner interests
Build a compelling corporate partnership value proposition that articulates the mutual benefit of investing in Connective’s work
Maintain a robust pipeline of prospective corporate partners and manage relationships through the full partnership lifecycle

Major Donor Cultivation and Stewardship

Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donor relationships building a portfolio of high-value individual donors committed to Connective’s mission
Develop and implement a major gifts program with clear ask strategies, stewardship touchpoints, and donor recognition frameworks
Maintain exceptional donor relations ensuring donors are engaged, informed, and inspired by the impact of their contributions
Identify and qualify prospective major donors through research, networking, and relationship development

Connective Impact Fund

Coordinate and support the development of Connective’s Impact Fund in partnership with internal leadership and external stakeholders
Define the strategic purpose, governance structure, and fundraising approach for the Impact Fund in collaboration with the executive team
Build relationships with prospective Impact Fund donors, foundations, and institutional supporters
Develop the case for support and donor materials specific to the Impact Fund

External Narrative and Fundraising Infrastructure

Help define and strengthen Connective’s external fundraising narrative, partnership value proposition, and case for support ensuring Connective’s story is told compellingly and consistently
Establish fundraising systems, donor stewardship processes, reporting frameworks, and performance metrics that support a scalable, professional philanthropy function
Implement or optimize donor management technology to support relationship tracking, pipeline management, and reporting
Develop grant research and application processes to pursue foundation and government funding aligned with organizational priorities

Interested and Affected Parties and Community Engagement

Build and maintain relationships with a broad range of external partners, corporate, foundation, government, and community, that support Connective’s fundraising and partnership objectives
Represent Connective at sector events, conferences, and community engagements to raise the organization’s philanthropic profile
Collaborate with the Communications team to align fundraising messaging with Connective’s broader external communications strategy

Future Leadership (Evolving Mandate)

As Connective’s fundraising function matures, lead the development of a dedicated philanthropy team, including recruitment, onboarding, and performance management of future team members
Build team infrastructure, role clarity, and operating rhythms that enable a growing philanthropy function to perform effectively
Mentor and develop future philanthropy staff, building organizational fundraising capacity over time

WORKING CONDITIONS

Function with a high degree of independence while maintaining close collaboration with executive leadership and external consultants
Adhere to Connective policies, procedures, and values
Ability to work flexible hours as required; donor and partner engagement may include evenings and events outside standard business hours
Periodic travel within British Columbia and potentially nationally for donor cultivation, partner engagement, and sector events

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
A relevant post-secondary degree in Business Administration, Communications, Non-profit Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Minimum seven to ten years of progressive experience in fundraising, philanthropy, corporate partnerships, sponsorship development, business development, or revenue generation
MFA-P, CFRE or other relevant designation strongly preferred
Demonstrated track record of cultivating and closing significant gifts, partnerships, or sponsorships with evidence of building relationships that generate sustained organizational investment
Experience building a fundraising or business development function from an early stage, including establishing systems, processes, and infrastructure
Proven ability to develop compelling cases for support and fundraising narratives that resonate with diverse donor and partner audiences
Experience with donor management or CRM platforms and fundraising reporting frameworks
Strong knowledge of the philanthropic landscape in BC and Canada, including foundation, corporate, and government funding environments
Experience working in or alongside a non-profit, social services, or mission-driven organization is a strong asset
Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation is an asset

COMPETENCIES

Relationship orientation; builds genuine, trust-based relationships with donors, partners, and stakeholders. Understands that philanthropy is fundamentally about people, not transactions.
Entrepreneurial drive; comfortable building from the ground up with limited infrastructure. Finds creative solutions, tolerates ambiguity, and generates momentum without needing a fully formed playbook.
Strategic thinking; sees the long-term picture while executing in the present. Connects fundraising activity to organizational mission and builds plans that are ambitious and realistic simultaneously.
Communication and influence; articulates Connective’s mission and case for support with clarity, conviction, and authenticity. Adapts style and approach to diverse audiences from individual donors to corporate executives.
Execution discipline; follows through on commitments, manages a complex portfolio of relationships and initiatives without losing focus, and holds themselves accountable for outcomes.
Collaborative leadership; works effectively across internal functions and with external partners and consultants. Brings people together around shared goals without requiring formal authority.
Experience setting standards, managing quality, development and leadership of people.
Mission alignment; genuinely motivated by Connective’s work and able to communicate that authentically to donors and partners.

REQUIREMENTS

Ability to successfully complete a Criminal Records Check
Ability to successfully pass a reference check
Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation for donor and partner meetings

COMPENSATION
The salary range for this position is $111,200 to $136,000. Annual salary will be negotiated based on experience and qualifications. This role will also be eligible for Connective's comprehensive benefits package.