Who We Are
We’re not your typical non-profit. We bring swagger to everything we do. That means we move with purpose in every step, driven by our commitment to putting our community at the centre of our work. Every day, we ask ourselves to see possibilities where others see limits. Because people with Parkinson’s and care partners deserve better. Better care, more inclusive research and access to treatment and support that make living well possible.
Our mission is to empower and inspire people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners to live fully and courageously. Through community support, advocacy, and research, we encourage others to see a diagnosis not as a dimming of light, but a spark for a new beginning.
Move forward. Together. On Mission.
The Role
The Senior Manager, Major Gifts develops and manages relationships with individuals who can make significant philanthropic investments in Parkinson Canada. The role builds a portfolio of prospective and current donors, learns their motivations, and connects their interests with opportunities across care transformation, programs, advocacy, and research. It supports giving through personal gifts and the structures donors use, including family offices, donor advised funds, and family foundations. The Senior Manager leads identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, working closely with organizational leaders and colleagues to secure meaningful, sustained support.
Key Responsibilities
Individual Giving and Portfolio Development
- Develop and execute individualized strategies for a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors.
- Identify and qualify prospective supporters through research, introductions, events, and collaboration with volunteers and leadership.
- Build relationships with individuals and families, understand their values and philanthropic goals, and develop appropriate opportunities for unrestricted and priority funding.
- Prepare tailored proposals, cases for support, briefings, and gift discussions; secure one-time and multi-year commitments.
- Maintain a strong pipeline with clear next steps, activity goals, and reliable revenue forecasts.
Giving Vehicles and Adviser Relationships
- Support donors who give personally or through family offices, donor advised funds, family foundations, and other philanthropic vehicles.
- Build effective relationships with family representatives, philanthropic advisers, and fund administrators while keeping the individual donor relationship central.
- Coordinate with Planned Giving and Finance when a donor considers gifts of securities, blended gifts, or other structures requiring specialist input.
- Ensure gift terms, designation, recognition, reporting, and processing are agreed and documented with the relevant internal teams.
Stewardship and Collaboration
- Create thoughtful stewardship plans that show donors the impact of their support and strengthen long-term relationships.
- Partner with Mission, Research, Programs, Marketing, Stewardship, and Finance to develop accurate funding opportunities and impact reporting.
- Engage the CEO, senior leadership, and Campaign Cabinet in donor relationships through clear briefing and follow-up.
- Collaborate with colleagues to coordinate donor relationships and opportunities across major, planned, annual, and corporate giving.
- Participate in Parkinson Canada's EOS operating framework, including regular meeting rhythms, quarterly priorities (Rocks), and defined role accountabilities.
Performance and Representation
- Record donor contacts, plans, proposals, commitments, and stewardship activities accurately in the CRM.
- Monitor portfolio performance against agreed goals for qualification, meetings, proposals, revenue, and retention.
- Share portfolio insights, opportunities, and risks with the Head of Philanthropy & Campaign.
- Represent Parkinson Canada at donor, community, and campaign events, including occasional evening or weekend
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least five years of progressive experience in major gifts, individual giving, philanthropy, or a related field, with demonstrated success securing significant gifts.
- Experience managing a portfolio through discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, including multi-year commitments.
- Understanding of giving through family offices, donor advised funds, and family foundations, and ability to work effectively with donor advisers and family decision makers.
- Strong listening, relationship management, writing, proposal development, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential donor information and complex relationships.
- Ability to manage a pipeline, maintain accurate CRM records, forecast revenue, and work across teams.
- Experience in health, research, or a national nonprofit is an asset; commitment to Parkinson Canada’s mission is essential.
Compensation: At Parkinson Canada, we believe that compensation should be fair and supportive of your experience and growth. For this role, the salary is between $95,000 - $105,000 per annum. Our salary ranges reflect progression from learning in the role to excelling, with each offer based on skills, experience, and role complexity. We strive for equitable, consistent pay, though rates may vary within the same role based on performance, specialized knowledge, and impact.
Parkinson Canada is firmly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America and the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace which is free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations, please reach out to us.
