Director of Development

Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) is the leading destination in Toronto to experience sustainable horticulture, and to better understand our collective role as stewards of our ecosystem. With free admission and over 300,000 visitors a year, TBG welcomes everyone to learn to love plants. Beyond an inspiring plant oasis, TBG is a dynamic community hub and an engaging learning environment.

In partnership with the City of Toronto, TBG is embarking on an exciting landmark capital expansion. Today the Garden is a 4-acre botanical garden nestled in the City of Toronto’s Park System adjacent to Edwards Gardens and the Wilket Creek Ravine. As the Garden prepares to expand its managerial oversight across thirty-five acres (in a phased approach), the organization is scaling up to achieve sustained organizational performance as a relevant and inspiring living museum.

TBG connects people and plants, fostering sustainable communities and developing reciprocal relationships with nature through lifelong learning.

As TBG celebrates 70 years of impact, and as the Garden prepares for future capital and programmatic expansion, the Development team is continuing to evolve and strengthen its fundraising capacity, supporting continued growth in fundraising for the Garden’s operations and preparing the organization for future capital fundraising.

Within this dynamic context, TBG invites applications and nominations for the appointment of its next Director of Development, commencing by early summer 2026. Joining at a pivotal time, the Director will work alongside TBG’s passionate 20+ member team, dedicated to connecting the City of Toronto—and its many visitors—with the beauty and importance of nature.

How you will make an impact

This is a meaningful opportunity for a strategic, people-first leader to deepen and expand a culture of philanthropy across the organization, steward lasting donor relationships, and ensure the Garden’s long-term sustainability and growth.

Reporting to the CEO, Stephanie Jutila, and as a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Development (“Director”) plays an active and strategic role in advancing TBG’s philanthropic priorities. The Director leads and empowers a small but dedicated team and is accountable for the execution of a comprehensive fundraising and revenue strategy that includes annual giving, membership, corporate engagement and sponsorship, grants, special events, planned giving and the growth and stewardship of a major gifts pipeline.

In this role, the Director manages their own donor pipeline, while supporting the CEO to advance relationships and drive philanthropic revenue growth. The Director also provides strategic guidance and support to the Board and deepens engagement with the Development Committee, enabling them to meaningfully engage their networks and play an active and impactful role in advancing TBG’s fundraising priorities.

As an integral member of the leadership team, the Director supports and collaborates with colleagues across the Garden, including the Marketing and Audience Engagement, Horticulture, Learning, and Guest Experience teams, among others, to grow non-philanthropic revenue sources and integrate philanthropy into the broader visitor, programmatic, and community experience.

About the Individual

As the ideal candidate, you are a motivated, energetic, and future focused leader who brings equal parts vision and execution to your work, with a deep passion for the mission of TBG – connecting people to plants, fostering sustainable communities and developing reciprocal relationships with nature through lifelong learning.

You have achieved ambitious revenue targets, led comprehensive fund development programs, and have experience with a broad range of fundraising and revenue streams, including annual giving, major and mid-level gifts, membership, events, and sponsorship. You have a sophisticated understanding of moves management that is thoughtful and responsive. Your experience spans the entire donor life cycle, from prospect identification through to stewardship, and includes knowledge of how to structure multi‑year gifts.

A strong people leader and relationship builder, you are known for authenticity, intentional listening, and the ability to connect with people in ways that inspire trust and shared purpose. You have previously managed and mentored a team, and will cultivate an ambitious, collaborative team culture that is agile, supportive and innovative. You thrive working in partnership – empowering teams, supporting senior leaders and volunteers, and contributing both strategically and hands-on in pursuit of shared goals, while also operating with a high degree of independence, sound judgement, and personal accountability. You communicate with clarity and influence, allowing you to advocate for the organization, provide meaningful support to fellow colleagues, board members and volunteers, and foster strong relationships with a diverse base of engaged donors, sponsors and partners.

You understand that growth requires both vision and systems; your comfort with donor databases (e.g. Raiser’s Edge) and operational processes will help TBG establish solid foundations for long-term success. You are visionary yet grounded, able to imagine what is possible while also building the practical steps needed to get there.

You have demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and are committed to TBG as a garden for all; a diverse community that recognizes the life-giving role of nature, working together for a more sustainable world.

Post-secondary education is an asset, as is a CFRE designation. Experience working with annual giving and membership-based organizations, such as museums, cultural, environmental or educational institutions is also an asset, as is experience working in support of a voluntary board of directors.

To Apply: To apply or explore this key leadership position at Toronto Botanical Garden further, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter, in confidence, to Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Noshina Choudhary (noshina@griffithgroup.ca) or visit: https://griffithgroup.ca/tbg-director-development/.

Location: Surrounded by gardens and greenspace, TBG’s Development office is housed in a historic building designed by Raymond Moriyama, located at the intersection of Lawrence Avenue East and Leslie Street (North Toronto, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario M3C 1P2). The office is easily accessible via TTC, on the 54 Eglinton or 162 Lawrence bus routes and the Leslie Street stop of the Eglinton LRT.

Salary Range and Compensation Package: $90,000-$130,000. The total compensation package includes an employer-paid benefits package, an employee assistance program, 3 weeks paid vacation plus statutory holidays, along with annual wellness and give-back days.

Use of AI: As part of our recruitment practices, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not be used in the screening, assessment, or selection process for this job posting.

Reason for Posting: Existing Vacancy

Toronto Botanical Garden is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a welcoming, safe, diverse and inclusive environment. TBG's workplace has a long-standing policy of providing fair, equitable, and accessible opportunities for all employees and prospective employees. TBG encourages all qualified applicants for employment regardless of age, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, or disability status.

All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to those legally eligible to work in Canada.

Toronto Botanical Garden and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca) should you require any accommodation to participate in this posting, recruitment, selection and/or assessment processes.

We acknowledge that the Toronto Botanical Garden is situated on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.