Development Officer, Pickering

 “The best prescription I’ve ever given is a wish.”

-Dr. Jeremy Friedman, Associate Paediatrician-in-Chief, SickKids Hospital & Medical Advisor for Make-A-Wish® Canada

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST WISH?

Is it to be part of an organization that is child-focused, values employee experience and is an inspiring workplace? If so, Make-A-Wish is for you!

Make-A-Wish^® Canada creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child’s wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness.

“It’s been wonderful to have this wish to look forward to… It’s wonderful to see (Rowan) with something that brings him pure joy after all he’s been through and missed out on!”

–Melissa, mom to wish kid Rowan (age 5, leukemia), who wished for an indoor jungle gym.

MISSION, VISION AND VALUES

Our mission is, together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illness. Supported by our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child.

Our values are Child-Focused, Integrity, Impact, Innovation, and Community.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Meaningful opportunities to make an impact and change the lives of children with critical illnesses within your community and across Canada
• A collaborative team environment where you feel valued and inspired
• An attractive compensation package that includes group health and dental premiums which are fully covered by the Foundation, RRSP, & Wish paid hours
• Annual vacation starting at three weeks & additional paid leaves
• Work/life balance and flexibility
• Hybrid working environment
• Employee Wellness Program
• Corporate discounts
• Continuous learning, development and internal training opportunities
• Fun employee activities, contests, and more!

Make-A-Wish^® Canada is committed to fostering a culture that aims to change lives while offering a rewarding employment experience where your contributions make a true difference every day!

WHERE YOU COME IN

We are looking for a Development Officer to join our team at Make-A-Wish Canada. Reporting to the local Manager, Development, this position is responsible for the management and coordination of events in the region, securing sponsorship, media relations, Salesforce reporting/date entry, donor development, grant writing and researching opportunities to increase chapter revenue.

This role is located in Pickering and is a full-time, permanent, hybrid position.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Plan, execute, and evaluate the full cycle of events at the chapter level, ensuring excellence in every aspect of assigned fundraising initiatives.
• Establish and lead event committees to foster collaboration and achieve event objectives by providing clear guidance, materials, timelines, and support to volunteers and staff.
• Identify, inspire, and cultivate corporate and individual donors to secure financial contributions, in-kind donations, and multi-year commitments.
• Collaborate with the Manager, Development, to create and maintain a robust donor pipeline, targeting net new revenue opportunities while stewarding existing relationships.
• Execute strategic cold-calling and relationship-building efforts to expand the donor base and secure sponsorships.
• Work creatively with the marketing team to design and produce promotional materials, ensuring alignment with event goals and organizational messaging.
• Partner with the Wish Family Engagement team to incorporate Wish Families into events when appropriate, enhancing the impact and emotional connection of initiatives.
• Provide day-of-event support for Chapter Signature Events, ensuring smooth execution and exceptional attention to detail.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including volunteers, sponsors, donors, suppliers, and community partners, to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Act as a proactive team player and ambassador for the Foundation, representing the organization professionally at events and in donor interactions.
• Maintain meticulous administrative records and utilize Salesforce, Donor Drive, and MS Office tools to track donor activities, manage event logistics, and ensure data accuracy.
• Conduct market research and seize opportunities to grow sponsorships, corporate partnerships, and donor engagement strategies.
• Continuously refine processes to improve event outcomes and achieve revenue goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Post-secondary education in fundraising/business or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• 2 -3 years working experience in the fundraising area, preferably in a multi-level organization within diverse communities.
• Ability to work independently and on various tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated experience in overseeing tasks of others and to work with others on a job to achieve the best results.
• Must be highly motivated and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong oral and written communication, interpersonal and presentation skills. Ability to speak to groups of people in a variety of settings.
• Demonstrated experience in using databases and ability to be able to train on databases; and the ability to learn and adapt to new technology.  Salesforce experience would be an asset. 
• Access to reliable transportation, to and from work, as well as for attending events, donor and sponsor visits, and other physical meetings in the community is a requirement.
• A clear Criminal Background Check will be required.

YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Hybrid work environment (2 days in-office, 3 days remote per week): responsibilities are carried out in the local office and remotely, however, you will be regularly required to be out of the office for visits with sponsors and donors, for site visits, and attending events in the community.
• Given the nature of events, may work irregular hours including evenings and weekends.
• Works under high degree of pressure on day of events to ensure logistics and all aspects of events are carried out successfully.

Physical/Mental Effort

• Emotional situations in dealing with wish recipients and families facing life threatening conditions or illnesses, in palliative care, and end-of-life stages. 
• Demonstrates emotional resiliency to be able to conduct cold-calls and continue to develop donor relations.
• Physical activity will be required at events, such as lifting boxes with materials and equipment, setting up the equipment, etc.
• Work under pressure with multiple tight deadlines, demands, high volume workload, and dynamic/overlapping priorities.

How to apply

If everything you’ve read so far sounds like you, we encourage you to apply now!  The deadline to apply is January 2^nd, 2025, at 11:59pm ET.

To apply, please navigate to: https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-CA/makeawishca/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/779

Make-A-Wish Canada provides equal opportunity in employment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Reasonable accommodations due to disability are available on request at any stage of the hiring process.  

Our Commitment to IDEA

Make-A-Wish Canada (MAWC) is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). We believe that it is essential to our mission that we build a diverse, balanced, and vibrant workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and seek to serve. Research has shown that candidates from underrepresented groups often only apply when they feel 100% qualified. Therefore, we ask that even if you do not see yourself fully reflected in every job requirement listed on this posting, to still apply.

Recruitment process

Our recruitment process is swift in pace.  Once applications are reviewed, we will contact our shortlisted candidates.  Our typical process includes a phone screen, one or two interviews, and reference checking, followed by an offer and a criminal background check for the successful candidate.

We would like to thank all applicants for their interest in working with us!

ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH® CANADA

Since 1983, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted over 38,500 wishes across the country, over 1,000 last year alone. As an independently operating affiliate of Make-A-Wish International, Make-A-Wish Canada is part of the network of the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization. We serve children in every community in Canada, and in more than 50 countries worldwide.

JOIN OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY

For more information on how you can support Make-A-Wish^® Canada or get involved please visit our website at makeawish.ca.