Careers

Manager of Development

Park People supports and mobilizes people to help them activate the power of parks to improve quality of life in cities across Canada. We support a Canadian network of park people by sharing knowledge, connections and funding that bolsters their awesome work in parks. We also mobilize Canadians by highlighting the insights, policies and practices that help city parks meet their full potential.

Join us and make awesome things happen in city parks.

In this role, you will lead Park People’s efforts to secure, steward and sustain key elements of the organization’s revenue stream, in particular corporate partnerships and philanthropy (major gifts).

As the Manager of Development your role would include working with corporate and major gift donors throughout the relationship process. 

Identify

• Research corporate and major gift prospects nationally and in target cities across Canada including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and the GTA
• Work with Management Team, identifying best prospects and priorities for philanthropic giving and corporate partnerships
• Lead exploratory outreach and establishing contact with corporate contacts
• Develop and implement plans for initial outreach and developing relationships with potential future major gift donors.

Cultivate

• Create proposals, in collaboration with program and marketing colleagues, including program deliverables, marketing elements, outcomes and budgets

• Develop strategies to enhance corporate partnerships: employee engagement activities, stewardship and partner events, cause related marketing, sponsorship opportunities

• Work with the Communications and Marketing Team to assist in the creation of resources and visually compelling proposal materials that address potential funder priorities and needs
• Develop management and cultivation of potential donors with a goal of potential future funding requests.

Solicit

• Research, explore and identify key corporate lead contacts for pitches
• Work with Management Team and program leads to create pitch strategies, attend and support pitch meetings, and submit proposals

Secured Account Management and Stewardship

• Develop and implement plan for existing major gift funders to receive appropriate levels of stewardship
• Lead or support a program lead for corporate partnerships in progress.
• Review reports prepared by program leads and managers and provide feedback, ensuring reporting timelines are well coordinated

Systems, Oversight and Longer-Term Planning

• Maintain systems for annual planning and coordination of multiple team members around the pipeline, stewardship, and partnership development for all development efforts.
• Develop plans and strategies for the longer-term growth and diversification of Park People’s revenues from philanthropic donors and corporate partnerships.

As a Manager of Development, the skills and experience you bring to the role include:

• University degree, equivalent education, or equivalent experience in a relevant area
• 5-10 years experience in fund development including grant applications, corporate partnerships and major gifts.
• Proven track record in generating revenue and stewarding corporate sponsorship clients and major gift donors, including gifts over $100,000
• Knowledge of the funding landscape in Toronto and across Canada
• Superior oral and written communications skills, including comfort presenting to corporate executives and major gift donors
• Collaboration skills enabling your work with members of the entire Park People team 
• Knowledge of French is an asset but not a requirement

As a Manager of Development, you demonstrate personal and professional competencies including:

Tact and Diplomacy

Experience and understanding of high touch soliciting and making presentations

Representing the needs of donors and partners within the larger organization

A self-starter who enjoys working in a fast paced collaborative environment

Position Details:

• Salary Range: $ 55,000-$65,000
• Anticipate start date: early January
• This position is permanent, and we are open to either full time or a four day/ week role

Park People is a great place to work:

• We offer a generous benefits package including health and dental benefits, annual cost of living increases and a pension plan.
• An amazing work culture with smart, engaged colleagues
• We have a casual and collegial working environment in a beautiful space at 401 Richmond (which offers on site childcare). We value flexibility and work life balance for our team members, offer generous vacation time, flexible work hours and telecommuting options.   
• We are a group of dedicated and curious colleagues, who want to learn and improve while having fun.

Opportunities to get involved in new areas and grow professionally and progressive career opportunities as Park People continues to grow.

• Time and funding to support education and training, including regular staff field trip days to explore cool things happening across the city.
• A chance to lead change and have an impact in communities across Canada

If you would like to make a meaningful contribution to our city and communities while working with a dynamic, results-driven and expanding group that is at the forefront of an emerging urban park renaissance, this is an excellent opportunity and challenge for a connector and city builder with a high degree of diplomacy, sound judgment and personal drive for bringing positive change to our city. Please send your resume and cover letter in one electronic file in confidence by November 22 to admin@parkpeople.ca.

If you require accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please contact us at admin@parkpeople.ca. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.