Summary

We are looking for a Development Officer to join our team at Make-A-Wish Canada. Reporting to the Manager, Development and working closely with the nationwide revenue development team, the Development Officer is responsible for managing and coordinating assigned fundraising initiatives and increasing revenues by developing a robust pipeline (third party, grants & foundations, DIY, service clubs, etc.), and is tasked with significantly growing revenue to support growth of MAWC’s strategic plan.

Description

"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 Development Officer to join our team at Make-A-Wish Canada. Reporting to the Manager, Development and working closely with the nationwide revenue development team, the Development Officer is responsible for managing and coordinating assigned fundraising initiatives and increasing revenues by developing a robust pipeline (third party, grants & foundations, DIY, service clubs, etc.), and is tasked with significantly growing revenue to support growth of MAWC’s 3-year strategic plan. 

The focus of this role will be to coordinate third party logistics, secure new revenue and in-kind donations, and grow the existing portfolio by building and managing donor partnerships for the BC & Yukon Chapter, supporting the organization nationwide. Acting as a representative of MAWC, this position safeguards the interests of the Foundation, Wish Families, donors, and fundraising event participants by following established fundraising policies.

This role is located in Vancouver and is a full-time, permanent, hybrid position.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

  • Drive revenues (third party, grants & foundations, DIY, service clubs, etc.) by sourcing, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing fundraising opportunities.
  • In collaboration with Manager, Development, create and maintain a robust pipeline, identifying opportunities for yearly and multi-year pledges and commitments, securing net new revenue, and stewarding existing relationships.
  • Conduct cold calling to solicit financial contributions and in-kind donations.
  • Collaborate with the Manager, Development and chapter team to develop and execute short-term and long-term development goals and the annual plan for the chapter, ensuring increased revenue year-over-year.
  • Continuously research market data/information and seize potential opportunities in third party, grants & foundations, DIY, service clubs, and signature events.
  • Strengthen and grow revenue development opportunities with existing donors through cultivation and implementation of strategies, ensuring that the business objectives of both the organization and the corporate partners are aligned.
  • Establish and provide support to third party & DIY organizers as required to ensure success of events (e.g., guidance, materials, staff, etc.), in collaboration with the Manager.  
  • Work creatively with the marketing team to assist them in the development and design of promotional and other material related to events under their portfolio.  
  • Collaborate with internal departments to develop impactful and useful material for development literature, which will include photos, videos, and captions for social media. 
  • Work in collaboration with Wish Family Engagement team to identify appropriate Wish Families for event participation when appropriate. 
  • Support on Chapter Signature Events as needs arise, in preparation-for and on the day-of.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders (National Office, volunteers, suppliers, sponsors, donors, media, and community liaisons) to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of assigned fundraising initiatives.
  • Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for the Foundation, specifically when communicating at events and with donors and other stakeholders.
  • Utilize strong administrative and computer skills to complete all administrative and data management tasks associated with fundraising on a timely basis. This includes MS Office skills (Word/Excel/Outlook/PowerPoint/Teams) and using Salesforce and Donor Drive to input and track donor activities.
  • Continuously works to increase awareness of MAWC through all contacts and business interactions through relationships, marketing, and promotion.
  • Ensure department adherence to financial policies and controls, working with the Manager to determine expense projections and monitoring expenditures against budget and forecast.
  • Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING

  • 2-3 years of progressive experience in fundraising/event management in a fast-paced environment.  Supervisory experience is an asset. 
  • Post-secondary education in business or fundraising, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant work experience. CFRE designation or working towards is considered an asset.
  • Solid understanding of the non-profit development landscape is a must.
  • Proven self-starter, with transferable sales experience, who is passionately driven to carry projects to completion and exceed targets with minimal supervision and, at the same time, work collaboratively within a team environment.
  • Demonstrated high degree of skill and success in strategic business development, specifically the ability to forge, manage, and maintain strong and authentic partnerships with new donors, while growing the value of existing donor base.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with a natural affinity towards collaboration, exercising sound judgement, and building trust with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to lead a team and coach volunteers to achieve common goals.
  • General financial management acumen to meet/exceed revenue targets, ability to manage operations within an established budget, and knowledge of government receipting requirements.
  • Strong written, editing, oral and presentation skills. Bilingual (English, Cantonese/Mandarin, and Hindi/Punjabi) language skills an asset.
  • Access to reliable transportation, to and from work, as well as for attending events, donor and sponsor visits, and other physical meetings in the community is a requirement.
  • A clear Criminal Background Check is required.
  • Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to their first day of work, subject to relevant accommodations or exemptions.

YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Hybrid work environment (2 days in-office, 3 days remote per week): responsibilities are carried out in the Chapter Office and remotely, however you will be regularly required to be out of the office for visits with sponsors and donors, for site visits, and attending events in the community.
  • Given the nature of events, may work irregular hours including evenings and weekends.
  • Works under high degree of pressure on day of events to ensure logistics and all aspects of events are carried out successfully.

Physical/Mental Effort

  • Emotional situations in dealing with wish recipients and families facing life threatening conditions or illnesses, in palliative care, and end-of-life stages. 
  • Demonstrates emotional resiliency to be able to conduct cold-calls and continue to develop donor relations.
  • Works under pressure with multiple tight deadlines, demands, high volume workload, and dynamic/overlapping priorities.

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.
 
How to apply
If everything you’ve read so far sounds like you, we encourage you to apply now!  The deadline to apply is January 8, 2024.

To apply, please follow the application link below.

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. 
 
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 1000 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.