Senior Development Officer, National Corporate Development

 “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 Sr Development Officer to join our team at Make-A-Wish Canada. Reporting to the Senior Manager, National Corporate Development, you will apply corporate fundraising principles and processes to manage the full cycle of national partnerships. In support of the growth of National Development’s revenue, the role includes, but is not limited to, securing corporate partnerships, sponsorship, cash donations and in-kind support for Make-A-Wish Canada’s mission.

This role can be based out of Pickering or Toronto (North York – York Mills), and is a full-time, permanent, hybrid position.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

New Business Outreach (50%)

• Support with lead generation, prospect research and cold calls/outreach as it relates to new business opportunities.
• Assess needs and contribute to the development and implementation of prospect identification, cultivation and solicitation.
• Writing and preparing briefing notes, solicitation plans and call reports to track donor interaction.
• Develop fundraising materials such as proposals, grant applications and donor correspondences.
• Update and maintain accurate and timely prospect information within the Foundation’s database (Salesforce) to enable accurate and reliable reporting.

Partnership Relationships (35%)

• Lead in managing and growing the corporate and corporate foundation donor portfolio (cash and in- kind) in the giving range of $1,000-$24,000.
• Apply grants and foundations fundraising principles to support grant applications under $25,000.
• Develop strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal departments to assist with development or coordination of material for donors are delivered in a timely basis, which may include social/marketing media, stewardship reports, end of campaign reports.
• Establish and provide support to National Development Team as required to ensure success of partnership events (e.g., guidance, materials, staff/volunteers, timelines, etc.).

Strategic Initiatives (15%)

• Support with the planning and execution of the corporate events, programs and initiatives.
• Support the National Development team on major donor activations and its campaign executions.

Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Post-secondary education in Business, Fundraising, or other relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• 1-2 years of working experience in fundraising (events, campaigns and working with
• volunteers), preferably in a multi-level organization within diverse communities.
• Ability to work independently and on various tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrate experience in overseeing tasks of others and working collaboratively with others to achieve the best results.
• Must be highly motivated and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable with public speaking.
• Demonstrate experience in problem solving and good judgement.
• Proven ability to take initiative and carry projects to completion.
• Demonstrate experience in using databases and the ability to learn and adapt to new technology.
• Strong MS Office skills (Word/Excel/Outlook/PowerPoint). 
• Access to reliable transportation to and from the office, for onsite visits and meetings with sponsors, donors, and the community, as well as for events.
• A clear criminal background check will be required.

YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Hybrid work environment (2 days in-office, 3 days remote per week) with occasional requirement to work outside of traditional office hours.  Primary responsibilities are carried out in the local office and remotely, however, you may occasionally be required to be out of the office for visits with sponsors and donors, and for other site visits and attending events in the community. 
• Requires evenings/weekends on occasion. 
• Occasional day travel in the GTA.

Physical/Mental Effort

• Work under pressure of tight deadlines, with a high-volume workload, and with multiple demands & changing priorities.
• Demonstrates emotional resiliency to be able to conduct cold-calls and continue to develop donor relations.

How to apply

If everything you’ve read so far sounds like you, we encourage you to apply now!  The deadline to apply is April 13^th, 2025, at 11:59pm ET.

To apply, please navigate to:  https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-CA/makeawishca/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/922

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.