Director, Development and Strategic Partnerships

Location: Montreal (hybrid) or remote within Quebec and Ontario

Salary range: $100,000–$125,000

Application deadline: July 3, 2026

Help shape Canada’s public policy future

The Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP) is one of Canada's most trusted and influential think tanks. For more than 50 years, the IRPP has produced evidence-based research, informed dialogue, and practical policy solutions on the issues that matter most to Canadians.

We are seeking an entrepreneurial, strategic, and relationship-focused Director, Development and Strategic Partnerships to lead the Institute's fundraising, sponsorship, partnership, and revenue-development initiatives. This newly created leadership role offers a unique opportunity to build and grow a diversified revenue portfolio that supports independent public policy research and strengthens the IRPP's long-term sustainability and impact.

About the role

The Director, Development and Strategic Partnerships leads the IRPP's fundraising and revenue-development activities. Reporting to the Vice-President, Communications and External Relations, and working closely with the President and CEO, executive team, and members of the Board of Directors, the Director will develop and grow support from foundations, major donors, institutional funders, sponsors, and strategic partners while identifying new funding opportunities that advance the Institute's mission.

This role combines major-gift fundraising, partnership development, sponsorship generation, and business development. It is ideal for a professional who enjoys building relationships, creating opportunities, and developing systems and processes that support long-term organizational success.

Key responsibilities

Fundraising and revenue development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising and revenue-generation strategy.
• Build, manage, and grow a portfolio of major donors, foundations, corporations, sponsors, and institutional funders.
• Cultivate, solicit, negotiate, and steward gifts and partnerships up to $1 million and beyond.
• Develop annual fundraising plans, revenue forecasts, and prospect pipelines.
• Prepare compelling funding proposals, grant applications, donor presentations, briefing materials, and stewardship reports.
• Assess and pursue opportunities for funding diversification.

Strategic partnerships and sponsorship

• Identify and pursue partnerships that enhance the IRPP's policy impact, visibility, and financial sustainability.
• Develop sponsorship opportunities and partnership arrangements across the philanthropic, corporate, government, academic, nonprofit, and media sectors.
• Support revenue generation through sponsorships, partnerships, grants, and advertising associated with Policy Options.
• Ensure all funding relationships align with the IRPP's commitment to intellectual independence and evidence-based public policy research.

Relationship management and external engagement

• Work closely with the President and CEO, executive team, and members of the Board to advance major funding opportunities.
• Represent the IRPP at meetings, conferences, events, and stakeholder gatherings across Canada.
• Serve as an ambassador for the Institute.

Performance management and reporting

• Maintain accurate records of donor and stakeholder engagement within the organization's CRM system.
• Establish and manage prospect pipelines, revenue forecasts, and annual development plans.
• Track and report on key performance indicators related to revenue generation, stakeholder engagement, and stewardship.

Organizational leadership

• Contribute to organizational planning and growth initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, ethical standards, and reporting requirements.

Qualifications

Education

• University degree in business, communications, public policy, nonprofit management, marketing, public affairs, journalism, or a related discipline.
• CFRE designation or equivalent fundraising training is considered an asset.

Experience

• Minimum five years of progressive experience in fundraising, business development, sponsorship development, strategic partnerships, revenue generation, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success securing financial support from individual donors, foundations, corporations, sponsors, advertisers, or institutional partners.
• Experience developing and managing prospect pipelines and revenue-generation strategies.
• Experience preparing funding proposals, sponsorship agreements, and partnership presentations.
• Understanding of the Canadian philanthropic, nonprofit, public policy, research, academic, association, media, or public sectors.
• Experience working with sponsorship, partnership, or advertising-revenue models is considered an asset.

Skills and competencies

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Exceptional relationship-building, networking, and stakeholder-engagement abilities.
• Strong fundraising, business-development, and negotiation skills.
• Sophisticated financial and philanthropic literacy, including an understanding of wealth creation, asset structures, charitable giving vehicles, and donor capacity.
• High level of discretion, integrity, and professional judgment.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to identify and pursue new opportunities.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience using CRM systems and business productivity software.
• Comfort using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ability to travel regularly and work occasional evenings and weekends as required.
• Because the Institute is a bilingual organization, ability to speak and write in both French and English is essential, but the role can be performed primarily in either language.

Why join the IRPP?

The IRPP is one of Canada's leading independent voices in public policy. Through research, publications, events, and public engagement, the Institute contributes to informed public debate and evidence-based policymaking across the country.

Joining the IRPP means becoming part of a collaborative, intellectually rigorous, and mission-driven organization committed to strengthening public policy and democratic discourse in Canada. This is an opportunity to build a new function, influence organizational growth, and create lasting impact on issues affecting Canadians.

Working at the IRPP

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, and a collegial work culture that is rooted in creativity, inclusivity, integrity, and flexibility. The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $125,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.

The IRPP offers a hybrid workplace based in Montreal. Candidates should expect to spend at least two days per week in the Montreal office. For candidates applying from outside Montreal, remote work arrangements are negotiable. Candidates must be Canadian, a permanent resident or possess a valid work visa for Canada.

The IRPP is committed to employment equity within its community, and to recruiting a diverse staff. We encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, and other racialized persons; 2SLGBTQIA+ persons; and Canadians living with disabilities. Candidates are invited to self-identify in their applications. Please let us know if you have accommodation requirements to facilitate participation in the selection process by reaching out to us at the email address below.

How to Apply

Please submit a letter of application and curriculum vitae that demonstrates that you have the skills and experience required for the position by e-mail to application@irpp.org, before July 3, 2026, at 5 p.m. EST.

Recruitment process

In the event of a high volume of applications, we may use AI-assisted tools to help identify a preliminary long list of candidates. All subsequent stages of the hiring process, including shortlisting, interviews and final hiring decisions, will be conducted by humans.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Interviews will be scheduled as applications are received.