Director of Development

Job Posting

Director of Development

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

This position will preferably be based in the Greater Toronto Area

Salary: $111,017 to $120,877, commensurate with experience

About Us

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) is Canada’s leading progressive research institute dedicated to developing and promoting public policies that advance social, economic, and environmental justice. With a strong commitment to evidence-based research and advocacy, the CCPA plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse and influencing policy decisions at all levels of government.

Position Overview

The Director of Development holds a senior management position within the CCPA and is responsible for developing a strategic and relationship-driven fund development plan with a particular focus on building long-term, sustainable revenue streams from major gift donors. As CCPA’s senior fundraising leader, the Director oversees the development department. The role includes direct supervision of three (3) full-time team members and two (2) part-time term employees. The Director is responsible for executing an integrated fundraising strategy across the organization to build resilience in CCPA's donor base and funding streams, with a focus on major gifts and sustainable donations.

Key Responsibilities

Provides Strategic Leadership:

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, the Director will develop and implement a comprehensive and strategic fund development plan which is aligned with the CCPA’s priorities and growth objectives, with benchmarks and deliverables. 
• Lead the CCPA’s fundraising planning process, establishing annual goals, priorities, performance metrics, and revenue targets.
• Identify sustainable donor pipeline development through emerging charitable opportunities, partnerships, and revenue streams that support the CCPA’s mission.
• Provide insights about fundraising and make recommendations about development to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors and committees of the CCPA.

Manages the Development Department:

• Responsible for the collaborative and efficient functioning of the Development Department implementing fundraising systems, policies, procedures, and operational processes to support organizational growth with an annual review. 
• Oversees the Development staff and conducts annual performance reviews
• Provides regular revenue reports to the ED
• Prepares and oversees the annual development budget and ensures it is balanced
• Ensures the overall health of the database and donor processing
• Oversees fundraising systems, policies, procedures and operational processes
• Foster a collaborative and equitable work environment with the Development team that reflects the CCPA’s values.

Fundraising:

• Leads donor stewardship initiatives building and maintaining meaningful relationships with major gift donors, while offering strategic advice to other CCPA staff who coordinate relationship development regionally across Canada
• Develop strategic donor relations and stewardship plans for staff to implement, including engagement events and opportunities that advance fund development initiatives. 
• Provide direction, initiate, and approve annual giving appeals, such as email solicitation, direct mail solicitation, and broad one-to-many solicitation campaigns and ensure the strategies complement the goals  of the CCPA
• Oversees the legacy donation program and the prospecting for new donors
• Represent the CCPA at public events and maximize external relations and fundraising objectives through identifying, developing, and maintaining strong relationships with existing and potential funding partners - either personally or collaboratively with other senior members of staff.
• Plans and supports donor engagement events and activities, securing sponsorships for such events.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree with 7 – 10 years of progressive fundraising experience, including demonstrated success securing and stewarding major gifts.  
• Experience using donor management systems and fundraising databases; experience with DonorPerfect is an asset.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop fundraising plans, establish measurable objectives, and achieve ambitious revenue targets. 
• Proven experience engaging donors of all ages and from different backgrounds, stewarding them to become donors.
• Leadership experience within a growing organization, expertise in strategic and goal-oriented team management, administration, operations, and financial management,  as well as a proven record within an advocacy organization.
• Knowledge and commitment to the CCPA’s vision and social justice objectives. 
• Exceptional capacity for managing and leading a diverse team in a unionized environment. 
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Demonstrated skills and experience to think strategically and actively research and learn about future industry trends.
• Excellent judgment, integrity, and discretion.
• Demonstrated skills to provide sound direction and advice on a variety of complex issues to all levels within the organization. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation and public speaking skills in English to communicate effective messages to internal and external stakeholders. 
• The above skills in French are considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse and inclusive workplace. 
• Demonstrated professional development activity, including but not limited to engagement in AFP, CCAE, CAGP, and other national organizations to support professional fundraising.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your qualifications and experience, and three current references to https://ccpa.bamboohr.com/careers/  no later than December 31, 2026 at 5:00pm ET. Your cover letter should focus on your experiences working within an organization (or multiple) to leverage their mandate and deliver on fund development plans to grow and sustain funding metrics, including but not limited to dollars raised.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The CCPA is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We especially encourage applications from Indigenous people, Black and racialized persons, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and women.