4 Healthcare Jobs in Waterloo

Position Summary

The Director, Fundraising Events provides strategic and operational leadership for WRHNF’s signature events, community-led initiatives, and event-based donor and sponsor engagement.

Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, the Director directly manages two Managers and provides overall leadership to a team of two Managers and two Coordinators. The Director is accountable for an integrated events and sponsorship strategy that grows net revenue, builds community partnerships, strengthens donor relationships, and advances fundraising priorities.

The Director identifies, cultivates, secures and stewards key sponsors while supporting the team to develop compelling opportunities, proposals and partnership agreements. They oversee the full event portfolio - from strategy, budgeting and audience development through execution, evaluation and stewardship - ensuring events create meaningful pathways to deeper sponsor and donor relationships.

As a member of the leadership team, the Director brings strong people leadership, financial discipline and relationship-management expertise. They continually assess the portfolio and focus resources on events and partnerships that deliver meaningful financial, community and mission impact.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Event Strategy and Portfolio Leadership

• Develop and lead a comprehensive, multi-year strategy for the Foundation’s portfolio of signature events, community fundraising initiatives and related engagement experiences.
• Establish annual revenue, net income, sponsorship, participation, engagement and growth objectives for each event and the overall portfolio.
• Evaluate events using financial results, mission impact, audience engagement, donor acquisition, sponsor value, staff capacity and long-term growth potential.
• Recommend opportunities to grow, reposition, consolidate, transition or retire events based on evidence and alignment with Foundation priorities.
• Identify and develop new event concepts, partnerships and revenue opportunities that expand the Foundation’s reach and diversify fundraising.
• Ensure events support the broader donor pipeline by creating opportunities for donor acquisition, cultivation, stewardship and advancement.
• Maintain an annual master events calendar that supports effective planning, resource allocation and coordination across the Foundation.
• Monitor fundraising, experiential marketing and community engagement trends and incorporate relevant best practices into the event strategy.

Revenue Generation and Sponsorship

• Personally cultivate, solicit and steward key corporate sponsors, community partners, donors and other event stakeholders.
• Maintain a portfolio and pipeline of prospective and current event sponsors and partners.
• Lead strategies to maximize gross and net event revenue through sponsorship, participant fundraising, ticket sales, auctions, donations, matching opportunities and other fundraising channels.
• Develop annual sponsorship strategies, inventories, pricing models and customized partnership opportunities.
• Partner with Major Gifts, Annual Giving and other fundraising colleagues to coordinate relationship ownership and identify broader philanthropic opportunities.
• Ensure sponsorship benefits are meaningful, appropriately valued, fully delivered and aligned with Foundation and hospital policies.
• Support volunteer leaders and staff with sponsorship approaches, proposals, briefing materials and solicitation strategies.
• Build strong renewal and multi-year partnership strategies that encourage increased and sustained investment.
• Ensure event attendees, participants and sponsors receive appropriate follow-up and are thoughtfully connected to other engagement and giving opportunities.

Event Planning and Execution

• Provide oversight for the planning, production and delivery of all Foundation-led fundraising events and major community fundraising initiatives.
• Establish clear event plans, timelines, roles, decision-making processes, service standards and accountability measures.
• Guide the team in developing event concepts, programs, guest experiences, fundraising activities, recognition plans and logistical requirements.
• Oversee venues, suppliers, permits, contracts, insurance, licensing, gaming requirements, accessibility, safety, security and contingency planning.
• Ensure events are professionally executed, financially responsible, inclusive and consistent with WRHNF’s brand and values.
• Lead or support high-profile events on-site, including troubleshooting and decision-making before, during and following the event.
• Develop event risk-management and emergency-response plans in collaboration with relevant Foundation and hospital partners.
• Ensure appropriate post-event reconciliation, stakeholder follow-up, debriefing and evaluation are completed in a timely manner.
• Maintain clear event documentation, processes and tools that strengthen consistency and organizational knowledge.

Community and Third-Party Fundraising

• Provide strategic oversight for community-led and third-party fundraising programs that benefit WRHNF.
• Build relationships with community groups, businesses, schools, service clubs, grateful families and other fundraising partners.
• Identify opportunities to convert successful community initiatives into recurring or expanded partnerships.
• Ensure third-party initiatives comply with Foundation guidelines, brand standards, privacy requirements and applicable legislation.

People Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, coach and support a team of two Managers and two Coordinators, creating a collaborative, accountable and high-performing culture.
• Establish clear roles, goals, workplans and performance expectations aligned with the Foundation’s strategic and annual priorities.
• Provide regular coaching, feedback, professional development and performance management.
• Build team capacity in fundraising, sponsorship, relationship management, event production, project management and financial accountability.
• Allocate staff resources across the event portfolio based on organizational priorities, timelines, complexity and expected impact.
• Support effective workload planning during peak event periods and ensure scheduling practices comply with Foundation policies.
• Foster an inclusive environment in which team members contribute ideas, solve problems and take ownership of their work.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, templates, systems and cross-functional collaboration.
• Manage external contractors, consultants, event producers, suppliers and temporary staff as required.

Financial Management and Performance Measurement

• Develop and manage annual event revenue and expense budgets in collaboration with Finance and the Chief Philanthropy Officer.
• Monitor revenue, expenses, commitments, forecasts and net results throughout the event cycle.
• Ensure purchasing, contracts, approvals, expense management and financial reconciliation follow Foundation policies and delegated authorities.
• Negotiate vendor agreements and oversee procurement to achieve strong value, service and risk management.
• Establish consistent performance measures across the portfolio, including gross revenue, net revenue, cost-to-raise-a-dollar, sponsorship retention, participation, donor acquisition and engagement.
• Prepare regular reports, forecasts and recommendations for the Chief Philanthropy Officer, senior leadership and Board committees as required.
• Use performance data, participant feedback and market insights to improve event strategy, audience experience and financial outcomes.
• Ensure gifts, sponsorships, registrations and participant information are processed and recorded accurately and promptly.

Donor, Sponsor and Volunteer Engagement

• Build trusted relationships with sponsors, donors, volunteer leaders, participants, community partners and other key stakeholders.
• Recruit, engage and support volunteer event chairs and committees for all of our signature events, as well as event ambassadors and community champions.
• Establish clear volunteer roles, expectations, decision-making authority and accountability.
• Provide volunteers with the information, tools and coaching required to support fundraising and community engagement.
• Collaborate with hospital leaders, clinicians, patients and families to incorporate appropriate mission stories and experiences.
• Ensure patient and family participation is handled sensitively and in accordance with consent, privacy and ethical storytelling practices.
• Represent WRHNF professionally at community, donor, sponsor and hospital events.

Data, Systems and Reporting

• Ensure accurate and timely recording of event participants, sponsors, donors, relationships, activities and next steps in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT and other relevant platforms.
• Establish consistent practices for sponsor and event pipeline management, coding, contact reporting and relationship ownership.
• Work with Foundation Operations and Finance to support accurate gift processing, receipting, invoicing and reconciliation.
• Analyze participation, giving, sponsorship and engagement data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Ensure event-generated prospects are appropriately qualified, assigned, cultivated and transitioned within the Foundation’s fundraising pipeline.
• Maintain donor and participant confidentiality and ensure compliance with privacy legislation, Canada Revenue Agency requirements and recognized fundraising standards.
• Use data insights to support decision-making, forecasting and continuous improvement.

Collaboration and Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a collaborative member of the Foundation’s leadership team and contribute to organizational strategy, annual planning and culture.
• Work closely with Major Gifts, Annual Giving, Corporate Giving, Communications and Marketing, Stewardship, Finance, Fundraising Operations and Engagement, and Foundation Operations.
• Partner with Communications and Marketing to develop event brands, promotional strategies, digital campaigns, media plans and participant communications.
• Coordinate with hospital departments to ensure event activities, stories and funding messages align with approved priorities.
• Contribute event expertise to campaign launches, donor announcements, recognition activities and other Foundation experiences.
• Promote a coordinated approach to sponsors, donors and community partners to avoid duplication and strengthen relationships.
• Represent the Foundation’s mission, vision and values in all internal and external interactions.
• Undertake additional leadership and fundraising responsibilities as required.

Education and Experience

Required

• Post-secondary education in fundraising, event management, business, communications, marketing, public relations, hospitality or a related discipline. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Proven experience securing and stewarding corporate sponsorships.
• Minimum seven years of progressive experience in fundraising events, sponsorship, community engagement or a related field.
• At least five years of experience leading, coaching and developing staff.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing complex, revenue-generating events.
• Strong experience developing and managing event budgets, revenue forecasts and financial performance.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects with overlapping timelines and stakeholders.
• Experience working with senior volunteers, committees, sponsors, donors, executives and community leaders.
• Experience using CRM, event registration, project management and fundraising technology.

Assets

• Experience within a healthcare, hospital, charitable or nonprofit environment.
• Experience overseeing a diverse portfolio that includes signature events, peer-to-peer fundraising and third-party community events.
• Experience working within a comprehensive fundraising campaign or complex philanthropic organization.
• Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT, online fundraising platforms and sponsorship management tools.
• CFRE, Certified Special Events Professional designation or relevant project management certification.

Skills and Competencies

• Strategic leadership and the ability to translate organizational priorities into actionable event and revenue plans.
• Strong people leadership, coaching, delegation and performance-management skills.
• Demonstrated fundraising, sponsorship solicitation and relationship-management expertise.
• Excellent financial judgment and a strong understanding of event profitability and return on investment.
• Exceptional project management, organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to lead effectively in fast-paced environments and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, negotiation and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong ability to influence and collaborate across teams without direct authority.
• Sound judgment, diplomacy and discretion when managing sensitive relationships or information.
• Creative, innovative and audience-focused approach to fundraising experiences.
• High standards of professionalism, accountability, integrity and ethical conduct.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data to evaluate performance and guide decisions.
• Knowledge of fundraising standards, charitable receipting, privacy, sponsorship and event-related regulatory requirements.
• Proficiency with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT, Google Workspace and relevant event-management tools.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including regular evening and weekend commitments related to events and community activities.
• Work outside standard business hours is an inherent requirement of this leadership position and will be planned and managed in accordance with Foundation policies.
• Ability to attend events and meetings throughout Waterloo Region and surrounding communities.
• Valid driver’s licence and access to reliable transportation.
• Ability to lift and transport event materials or equipment.
• Police background check required.
• Commitment to the mission, vision and values of Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation and a passion for improving local healthcare.

What We Offer

Salary Range: The target hiring range for this role is $112,200 to $132,600, with ability to progress commensurate with experience and success.

Vacation: Four weeks’ vacation, plus summer wellness days and additional float days.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package, HOOPP defined-benefit pension, and computer and mobile device provided.

Work Culture: Hybrid and flexible work environment with regular in-person collaboration and a minimum of two days per week in the office. Due to the nature of this position, additional in-person, evening and weekend hours will be required.

Purpose: A mission-driven leadership opportunity to shape community engagement and fundraising experiences that improve healthcare across Waterloo Region.

Growth: A collaborative environment where innovation, professional development and leadership are supported.

What Success Looks Like

• A clear, integrated and sustainable strategy guides the Foundation’s fundraising event portfolio.
• Annual gross revenue, net revenue, sponsorship and engagement goals are achieved or exceeded.
• Event profitability and return on staff and organizational investment improve over time.
• Signature events grow in reputation, participation, philanthropic impact and community reach.
• Sponsors and community partners experience strong stewardship, resulting in high renewal and increased investment.
• Event participants and community supporters are successfully engaged in the Foundation’s broader donor pipeline.
• New donors, sponsors, volunteers and community champions are identified and meaningfully engaged.
• The events team is collaborative, well-supported, accountable and consistently delivers excellent work.
• Event planning, budgeting, risk management, data collection and evaluation processes are consistent and effective.
• Volunteer leaders understand their roles and are equipped to contribute to fundraising and community engagement.
• Cross-functional teams work together effectively to deliver cohesive, mission-focused experiences.
• Donors, participants, volunteers and sponsors receive an exceptional experience that reflects the Foundation’s commitment to gratitude, impact and accountability.

The Process

We’re looking for an experienced and inspiring leader who understands that successful fundraising events are about more than a single day. They create meaningful relationships, introduce new people to our mission and inspire lasting philanthropic support for local healthcare.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you apply with a traditional résumé and cover letter or choose a more creative approach, we encourage you to showcase your leadership experience, fundraising success and passion for building exceptional community experiences.

We are committed to barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and encourage applicants to inform us of any accommodation they may require.

Please submit your application by Friday, August 14th at 5:00pm.