Director of Development & External Relations

Job Description

Established in 1978, Sea to Sky Community Services Society (SSCS) is the largest community services organization in the Sea to Sky Corridor, serving Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton. SSCS grows and innovates to enhance the lives of thousands of people every year through 40 vital programs that no one else in the region offers. From prenatal programs and child care to youth and adult services and assistance for seniors, SSCS helps clients develop crucial life skills, build confidence and self-worth, and enhance their lives.

SSCS helps to create healthy, connected, and diverse communities where everyone has the opportunity to grow, develop, and lead meaningful lives at every age and stage of life.

SSCS is finalizing its fundraising campaign for the Harrow Road project, a Community Services Hub and affordable housing development in Pemberton, one of Canada's fastest-growing communities. With this milestone in sight, SSCS is seeking an enthusiastic and strategic Director of Development & External Relations to establish a fully integrated fund development program and ensure that ongoing support continues beyond the capital campaign.

Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with senior leadership and the Board, the Director leads annual giving, major gifts, gift planning, grants, and sponsorships, puts foundational development best practices in place, and oversees all communications, marketing, and public relations on behalf of the Society. Importantly, the Director carries a select portfolio of high-net-worth donors and prospects.

This is an exciting opportunity for a fundraising leader to:

• Play an essential role in supporting the Sea to Sky Corridor's most important social services.
• Steward Harrow Road capital campaign donors and engage them in the life of the Society beyond the campaign.
• Carry a portfolio of high-capacity, high-inclination prospects.
• Bring an entrepreneurial lens to building a successful fund development platform.
• Join a high-performing and passionate team.

Key responsibilities include:

Grow SSCS Resources

• Support the Executive Director and Board in the planning and execution of donor and external relations, including objectives, targets, and building a culture of donor-centred philanthropy and engagement at SSCS.
• Carry a portfolio of high-capacity, high-inclination prospects with personal accountability for securing gifts of $50,000+.
• Identify, engage, and solicit prospective individual donors, corporations, and foundations for donations.
• Create and implement, in concert with the Executive Director and Director of Finance, a creative and comprehensive income growth strategy to ensure SSCS can meet the increasing needs of its growing communities.
• Evaluate and make recommendations to the Executive Director regarding human resources strategies for the Development & External Relations team, including, but not limited to, recruiting, orientation, ongoing training, and professional development.

Build Relationships

• Determine the most effective communications, events, and donor relations/stewardship strategies to deliver on the vision and mission of SSCS.
• Cultivate long-lasting and deep relationships as well as coaching these skills in others.
• Negotiate and mediate gifts to achieve the best outcome for SSCS and the donor.
• Identify personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship tactics with the support of the SSCS Board and staff.
• Work with the ED and Board members on Director’s giving as well as potential donor identification and solicitation.

Marketing Communications

• Working with SSCS’s Senior Manager of Communications to identify appropriate opportunities to share SSCS’s story.
• Implement, in consultation with the SSCS Executive Director and Senior Manager of Communications, the production of fund development support materials (printed, electronic & other).

Fundraising Leadership

• Work with the SSCS Executive Director and Board to establish fund development and community engagement priorities.
• In conjunction with the Executive Director, lead and oversee the development of comprehensive Fund Development and Communications Plans and budgets as well as design and implement metrics to analyze the execution and success of each plan.
• Partner with SSCS’s fundraising consultants on the current Capital Campaign (Harrow Road).
• Contribute to building a strong culture of trust, collaboration, innovation, and teamwork.
• Oversee and provide leadership and counsel with the planning, implementation, and direction of all development and external relations activities, ensuring consistent and significant increases to relationships developed, funds generated and community engagement.
• In partnership with the Board, Executive Director, and key Development volunteers, build positive relationships with major donors and solicit gifts.
• Direct and prepare gift requests as well as grant and sponsorship proposals to meet specific funding needs.
• Develop, implement, and oversee the SSCS donor recognition and stewardship program, in accordance with SSCS policies.
• Serve as the contact and information source for existing and prospective donors and funders concerning gifts and funding of SSCS.
• Represent SSCS in the community, making presentations and accepting gifts on behalf of SSCS when so designated.
• Ensure that all details relating to special events and projects are handled effectively.
• Maintain professional affiliations and enhance professional growth and development by keeping abreast of the latest trends in the fund development and external relations professions.
• Ensure all call and move information is captured in SSCS’s donor database.
• Work with the Finance team to ensure donations are accounted for and that appropriate systems are in place for record keeping, relationship and prospect management, and donor database.
• Undertake special projects and reports as required by the Executive Director.

Volunteer and Staff Leadership & Management

• Actively set the example for call management, donor cultivation, asks and stewardship work with donors and donor prospects.
• Identify, recruit, train, coordinate, thank and work closely with volunteers working on development and external relations activities.
• Prepare agendas, reports, and materials for the Fund Development Committee. Attend meetings and be responsible for the minutes.
• Prepare monthly reports and attend meetings of the SSCS Board.

For more information, please view the full briefing here.

Job Requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

• Demonstrated success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major philanthropic gifts.
• Significant experience in fund development and external relations work, including planning and implementing initiatives.
• Active participation in AFP, CAGP, or another appropriate professional organization's educational offerings.
• Work or volunteer experience in a social service-related organization.
• Knowledge of and proficiency in budget creation, implementation, and reporting.
• Proficiency in donor software (DonorPerfect would be ideal) and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent writing skills, including grant writing, and experience and skill in public speaking.
• Knowledge of donor research techniques and fundraising resources.
• Knowledge of legal and tax matters related to charitable contributions, and of professional and ethical standards for fundraising (e.g., AFP, CAGP, Imagine Canada, CFRE).
• Knowledge of and proficiency in IDEA and ethics.
• An undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of experience and education.

How to Apply

Compensation & Benefits:

The successful Director can expect a starting salary between $93,966 and $120,000, depending on experience, with the opportunity for salary to increase over time.

Benefits include generous holidays, 100% employer-paid premiums, MSP premium coverage, a comprehensive suite of extended medical and dental insurance coverage, and the Municipal Pension Plan with employer match. Other perks include casual dress, paid sick days, and on-site parking.

Location:

SSCS's head office is located in Squamish, BC, and the Society is pleased to offer flexible conditions to accommodate a strong candidate. Ideally, the Director would be in the office on average twice a week to connect with senior colleagues and program leaders and to engage in person with donors and prospects. Some driving will be required for meetings, events, and staff gatherings at facilities throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor.

This search is being led by SSCS's search partner, The Discovery Group. Please submit a cover letter/expression of interest and resume/CV in the same document to Christoph Clodius at christoph@thediscoverygroup.ca. Candidates will be evaluated on an ongoing basis, so early applications and enquiries are strongly encouraged