Volunteer Engagement Coordinator

 “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 Volunteer Engagement Coordinator to join our team at Make-A-Wish Canada. Reporting to the Manager, Volunteer Engagement, the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations of the volunteer program in the Western Region (BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan), including community outreach, training, and continuously engaging with our volunteers. The focus of this role is on building and maintaining positive and rewarding volunteer partnerships.

This role can be based out of Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, or Saskatoon, and is a full-time, permanent, hybrid position.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Ensure wish reveals, wishes and fundraising events requiring volunteer assistance are properly staffed.
• Identify new and innovative ways to build relationships with community members and volunteer associations/centres and job fairs.
• Working closely with our Mission and Development teams, identify and fulfill volunteer needs.
• Ensure volunteers are aware of the logistics pertaining to their assignments and that they are fully trained in advance of wish reveals, wishes, or fundraising events.
• Attend community events and job fairs to keep the funnel of potential volunteers full, referring interested community members to our volunteer application process.
• Attend large regional events to help coordinate volunteers as needed.
• Coach volunteers and ensure their alignment with Make-A-Wish Canada’s values.
• Create communication plans, in consultation with regional Communication Specialists, to ensure volunteers are continually engaged with Make-A-Wish Canada.
• Maximize the use of existing MAWC volunteer engagement tools and stewardship resources to ensure volunteers are being actively stewarded.
• Work with the Manager, Volunteer Engagement and colleagues across the country to provide feedback and best practices to ensure the development of a best-in-class volunteer program.
• Conduct surveys to measure the success of the regional volunteer program.
• Maintain up-to-date volunteer records in Salesforce.
• Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Post secondary education in the Volunteer Management or Human Resources fields, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.  Certified Volunteer Administration designation is considered an asset.
• 3+ years of work experience within the non-profit sector, volunteer management focused preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in using databases; and the ability to learn and adapt to new technology. Salesforce experience an asset.
• Experience providing customer service to a highly diverse client base.
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple demands from various stakeholder groups.
• Positive attitude: ability to take responsibility and be accountable; ability to deal with change in the workplace and be innovative; respect for others.
• Must be highly motivated and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment on various tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated experience in problem solving and good judgement.
• Demonstrated time-management and organizational skills.  Flexibility with changing priorities and ability to remain focused to meet targeted timelines.
• Proficient in MS Office (Outlook/Word/Excel) and experience working with databases and mass e-mail.
• Bilingualism (English and French) is considered and asset for this role.
• Access to reliable transportation to and from work, as well as for occasional events within the community.
• A clear Criminal Background Check is required.

YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Hybrid work environment, with 2 days in office per week and 3 days remote. This role requires work outside of regular office hours on occasion, to facilitate virtual orientation sessions and trainings, as well as virtual or in-person events.
• Some travel day/overnight may be required.

Physical/Mental Effort

• Work under pressure to meet tight deadlines with a high-volume workload, multiple demands, and changing/overlapping priorities.
• May be required to lift items <25 lbs at events, such as swag, wish items, wish boxes, etc.
• May be subjective to sensitive situations regarding wish children and families.

How to apply

If everything you’ve read so far sounds like you, we encourage you to apply now!  The deadline to apply is July 14^th 2025, at 11:59pm ET.

To apply, please navigate to:  https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-CA/makeawishca/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/1041

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.