Director, Donor Engagement

MAKE YOUR MARK—Advance Your Career Objectives

The Leadership Opportunity

Since its inception in 2003, EducationMatters, Calgary’s public education trust, has broken new ground in the Calgary community and positioned itself as a young, growing foundation making a substantial difference in the lives of students, educators and parents.   We fund innovative enhancement programs and student awards to help K-12 students excel and enrich their education and learning experience.  We promote and facilitate public engagement with public education.  We believe the best public education happens when the community participates in its development.  Over the next four years, the foundation is setting new, ambitious goals, following the success of a $6 million PLUS campaign, while ensuring we remain relevant and responsive to the emerging needs of the over 100,000  public education learners in Calgary.

The New Position

In order to achieve these goals and continue to grow the foundation,  EducationMatters has an immediate opening for a senior Director, Donor Engagement responsible for articulating the mission, vision and mandate of EducationMatters and for building the assets of EducationMatters through the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of a broad range of donors.  The Director position will be responsible for planning and executing innovative, annual giving campaigns and expanding major gift acquisitions.   We seek someone with an excellent track record in building relationships and partnerships with donors, volunteers, community representatives and key stakeholders; a person with a passion for ensuring that all children and youth succeed at school. There is opportunity for this individual to significantly advance their career and in the future move up to the position of Executive Director of EducationMatters.   The position reports directly to the Executive Director and is a vital member of the senior management team. 

This  position works collaboratively with the Director, Communications and Grants, the Director, Finance and IMS and will  supervise and work closely with the Senior Development Officer, Annual and Planned Gifts, in implementing donor stewardships programs, building on  e-philanthropy  initiatives and creatively expanding  social marketing opportunities.  The Director will take a leadership role in developing new supporters for the annual CBE Distinguished Alumni awards dinner.  This position will liaise with the Calgary Board of Education, a key stakeholder and funder.  All fund development efforts are undertaken in ways that enhance the credibility of EducationMatters as a responsible and effective manager of all gifted assets; a prudent funding / grant-making organization, and an informed expert on the views and priorities of donors, the broader community and public education stakeholders.

The Qualifications:

§  University degree in Business, Non Profit Management or applicable focus area, preferably at the Masters level; CFRE preferred.

§  Formal training in best Development practices, knowledge of e-philanthropy and demonstrated fundraising success with diverse donors. Strong ability to ask for philanthropic donations.

§  Minimum of six to seven years of progressive experience in a leading fund development position preferably within a large institutional setting; preferably with an education focus. 

§  Commitment to the ongoing enhancement of public education, developing civil society and building sustainable funding that furthers EducationMatters’ work.

§  Proven leadership experience combined with excellent interpersonal, listening and writing skills; ability to read and work with a broad range of donors, professional advisors, educators, Board members, volunteers and EducationMatters’ staff.

§  Strong administrative, planning, organizational and reporting skills, combining breadth of thought and vision with careful attention to detail.

§  Understanding / experience with fund development management software (e.g.: FIMS, Raisers Edge, Gift for Windows).

§  High level skill with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.), and the willingness and ability to undertake administrative responsibilities (e.g. the preparation of fund agreements, major proposals and public presentations).

§  Personal integrity, positive attitude and a strong work ethic are paramount.

Terms of Employment

Excellent compensation and benefits package commensurate with training and experience. Professional development is a given and EducationMatters supports flexible working hours.

EducationMatters

EducationMatters is a stand alone non-profit trust with its own board of governors. We manage over 70 endowment and flow through funds established by individuals, businesses and institutions who are passionate about public education and believe that the best public education happens when the community participates in its development.   Since inception we’ve raised over $6 million from the community and issued nearly $3 million in grants.  Our core purpose is to help Calgary K-12 students succeed in school. Our critical areas for support are centred on literacy, life skills and transitions, leadership and civic engagement, healthy learning and the needs of challenged students in order to improve Calgary’s high school completion rates.  Our foundation is well established and sees limitless possibilities for philanthropy, community engagement and supporting students.

Please direct a cover letter and resume immediately to:

Monica Bryan, Director, Finance and IMS

515 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2L9

Or via email: mbryan@educationmatters.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted. Please no telephone calls. This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.