Senior Manager, Fundraising & Donor Growth

Who We Are

St. John Ambulance British Columbia & Yukon (SJA BCY) is a charitable organisation dedicated to improving health and safety through first aid training, medical responder services, and community-based volunteer programs. For nearly 115 years in the region, SJA BCY has been a leader in first aid education, delivering high-quality training for workplaces, families, and individuals, and providing essential first aid products and services to help communities be prepared for the unexpected.

Supported by more than 2,000 dedicated volunteers, our Community Services programs, including Medical First Responders, Therapy Dog teams, and Youth leaders, provide compassionate and skilled support throughout British Columbia and Yukon. As part of the federated St. John Ambulance organisation in Canada, represented from coast to coast, we are proud to contribute to a legacy of more than 900 years of service to humanity.

The Opportunity

A foundational new role shaping the future of philanthropy at St. John Ambulance BC & Yukon

St. John Ambulance BC & Yukon is embarking on an exciting journey to significantly grow our philanthropic impact, and we’re looking for a thoughtful builder to help lead the way. We’re ready to establish a stronger, more intentional fundraising program, and this new role will be central to that transformation. If you’re energized by building something from the ground up, enjoy creating systems that work, and thrive in roles where strategy and hands-on delivery are equally important, we’d love to meet you.

As our Senior Manager, Fundraising & Donor Growth, reporting directly to the CEO, while collaborating with organisational staff, volunteers, and supporters across BC and Yukon, you will create the foundation for a sustainable, donor-facing fundraising program. You will develop new directions in fundraising the organisation has already embarked on, standing up simple, reliable processes and delivering early, meaningful results we can grow from.

The Successful Candidate Will:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive three-year fundraising strategy to strengthen donor engagement, grow philanthropic impact, and build a predictable, year-round fundraising program; produce an initial draft within the first 90 days and refine annually in collaboration with the CEO.
• Build, activate, and expand core fundraising channels, including annual giving, monthly giving, donor events, major gifts, and corporate partnerships.
• Grow a sustainable fundraising pipeline by establishing a steady base of recurring donors, strengthening annual giving, and delivering consistent fundraising initiatives and events.
• Identify, cultivate, and deepen relationships with major donors and corporate partners, shifting from one-time contributions to long-term engagement.
• Plan and execute targeted fundraising initiatives and appeals to establish baseline performance metrics (e.g., conversion rates, average gift size, donor retention) and deliver early, achievable results.
• Establish, track, and analyze key fundraising metrics, strengthening donor tracking and reporting systems to support data-driven decision-making.
• Lead and implement best-practice donor stewardship, including timely acknowledgements and a tiered approach to recognition and engagement that enhances donor retention.
• Lead the planning and execution of impactful, scalable fundraising and stewardship events as organizational capacity grows.
• Develop and guide donor communication strategies, collaborating with Marketing and Communications to deliver consistent, compelling messaging across all channels.
• Establish and optimize core fundraising infrastructure, including gift processing, receipting, reconciliation, and donor acknowledgement processes; document standard operating procedures and maintain strong data privacy practices.
• Support the evaluation and implementation of improved fundraising systems and tools, transitioning to more robust, industry-standard solutions over time.
• Develop a compelling case for support to underpin all fundraising efforts and lay the groundwork for future grant funding; research and identify potential funding opportunities.
• Equip and support staff and volunteers with effective engagement and storytelling tools to foster a strong, organization-wide culture of philanthropy.
• Contribute to building a sustainable fundraising function by balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution in an early-stage environment.

Who You Are

• A builder who enjoys shaping new functions, not just maintaining established ones.
• Skilled at turning strategy into practical, sequential steps and finishing what you start.
• A strong relationship builder and communicator.
• Collaborative, organised, proactive, and reliable on follow-through.
• Motivated by community impact and the humanitarian mission of St. John Ambulance.

What You offer

• 5+ years’ experience in fundraising with demonstrable results in donor acquisition and retention, recurring giving, and pipeline development.
• Experience with best practices in major gifts and donations.
• A track record building multi-channel programs and personally managing a mid-level/major portfolio.
• Outstanding communication, networking, presentation, and relationship skills.
• Proficiency with CRM systems (e.g., D365).
• Working knowledge of Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) and privacy expectations.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and organisational skills within a team environment to achieve results.
• Demonstrated skills in maintaining and building effective internal and external relationships
• Passion for SJA’s mission.
• Willingness to travel within BC & Yukon, and a valid driver’s licence.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary in the range of $73,800 - $98,400 per annum, aligned with the seniority and strategic scope of this role.
• Additional performance-based recognition tied to overall organizational goals.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including extended health and dental coverage to support employee well-being.
• Pension plan with employer-matching contributions.
• Work-life integration, including a generous vacation package starting at three (3) weeks per year.
• A supportive, mission-driven work environment where we work hard, collaborate closely, and value time together as a team.
• Professional development opportunities, including free First Aid certification through St. John Ambulance BC & Yukon courses.
• An opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role in shaping the growth of St. John Ambulance BC & Yukon’s fundraising strategy and donor culture.
• An opportunity to drive performance and growth, ensuring that your leadership contributes. directly to the organisation’s mission and long-term sustainability.
• A welcoming, inclusive, and diverse workplace where qualified applicants of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
• This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement.

Why This Role Matters

St. John Ambulance has a rich legacy of service and lifesaving education, and as an organisation, we look forward to engaging more people and organisations in broader philanthropic support and recognition. With your leadership, we will build a stronger culture of giving, grow our community of supporters, and create a sustainable foundation for the decades ahead. This is a rare opportunity to shape something meaningful from the ground up and to see the impact of your work across British Columbia and the Yukon.

How to Apply

If you are ready to make a lasting impact on philanthropy across BC and Yukon, we encourage you to apply.

Please submit your resume along with a cover letter that outlines your interest in the role and explains how your experience and qualifications align with the position to bcy.hrteam@sja.ca.

SJA BCY is committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, please let us know.

We thank all candidates for applying; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Closing date: Open until filled.