Director of Development

Director of Development

Reports to: Executive Director

Position: Full-time permanent, salaried position at 37.5 hours per week; hybrid arrangement available

About the London Children's Museum:

The London Children’s Museum curates powerful play experiences through immersive environments, authentic materials, and meaningful relationships. Exhibits and engaging learning experiences allow children to explore history and heritage, investigate science and social relationships, and celebrate art and culture. After 40 years in the same location, the London Children’s Museum opened the doors to its current home at 100 Kellogg Lane in January 2025. The London Children's Museum is a registered charity, and approximately thirty percent ($1 million) of annual revenue is made possible through generous grants, sponsorships, and donations.

Position Overview:

The London Children’s Museum is seeking a strategic, experienced, and relationship-oriented fundraising professional to join our team. The Director of Development is a key leadership role, working closely with the Executive Director and Development Associate to develop and implement a comprehensive annual fundraising strategy. In addition to meeting annual operational fundraising targets, this individual is responsible for completing the London Children’s Museum capital campaign ($2 million remaining). The Director of Development will identify and pursue new revenue opportunities, steward key relationships, and ensure the organization meets its fundraising goals. The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator with a passion for building relationships and making connections with the community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Donor Relationships & Stewardship: Develop and maintain strong relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies. Foster donor loyalty through exceptional stewardship and communication.
• Fundraising Strategy: Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop and implement a multi-faceted fundraising strategy, including annual operational targets and completion of the capital campaign. Identify new revenue opportunities, including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, grants, and major gifts.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Provide leadership to the Development Associate, promote a culture of philanthropy with staff, Board and volunteers, and effectively collaborate across departments.
• Grant & Proposal Writing: Oversee the submission of compelling grant proposals to secure funding from foundations, government programs, and other grant-making organizations.
• Event & Program Sponsorships: Lead efforts to secure sponsorships for museum events, programs, and exhibitions, ensuring mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Analyze donor and fundraising data to track trends, measure success, and make data-driven decisions. Provide regular reports to the Executive Director and Board on fundraising performance and opportunities.
• Donor Database Management: Oversee management of the donor database, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information for effective communication and solicitation. Utilize CRM systems to streamline donor interactions and improve fundraising efforts.

Qualifications:

• Minimum five years of experience in fundraising, including annual giving and major gifts, with experience in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience securing funds from a variety of sources.
• Strong understanding of community engagement and ability to build strategic partnerships with local organizations and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to craft persuasive donor communications and grant proposals.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Understanding of audience segmentation and tailoring messages that resonate with different stakeholder groups.
• Proficient in donor and customer relationship management systems (CRM), with experience analyzing data to inform decision-making.
• Leadership experience, with a demonstrated ability to lead staff and work collaboratively within an organization.
• Understanding of event and program sponsorships, with a track record of successfully securing sponsorships and partnerships.
• A commitment to the mission and values of the London Children's Museum, including a passion for education, community engagement, and inclusivity.

Salary: $75,000-85,000 annual salary (commensurate with experience) plus comprehensive health benefits and vacation package.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are invited to submit their resume, along with a cover letter detailing their qualifications and passion for the role, to recruitment@londonchildrensmuseum.ca by April 27, 2026. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The London Children's Museum is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.