Associate Director, Stewardship

UHN Foundation; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

UHN Foundation in Toronto, Ontario invites applications for the Associate Director, Stewardship. This role leads donor recognition strategy, oversees a stewardship team, and ensures accurate donor listings and policies while driving engagement with hospital partners and donors.

The position reports to the Vice President, Stewardship and supports major campaigns with a focus on governance, accountability, and donor impact. Hybrid work model.

Qualifications

• A relevant 4-year degree or, a relevant 3-year degree/diploma combined with a professional certification or, an equivalent combination of formal education and relevant experience.
• 7-10 years of experience working in this or related field in progressive leadership roles
• A proven track record for leading multiple, large and competing priorities with multiple stakeholders, including external and internal Excellent written and oral communication skills with a strong attention to detail and aptitude for engaging donors
• Experience building trusted partner relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendors
• Proven ability to build and sustain strong working relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders as well as work independently (and with ambiguity) to achieve results
• Proven ability to prioritise, plan and manage projects within established deadlines
• Highly proficient in the use of all corporate productivity tools including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, monday.com
• Experience in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and/or other design programs an asset Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or other donor database management systems preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead the Foundation's donor recognition strategy, ensuring meaningful and impactful recognition for qualifying donors while developing innovative approaches to strengthen donor recognition and stewardship.
• Oversee the planning, implementation and ongoing management of the Stewardship team’s physical recognition program, including naming opportunities, naming hierarchies, future expansion plans, and recognition policies.
• Provide strategic oversight for the execution of complex donor recognition and construction-related projects, involving collaboration with internal stakeholders and external vendors and ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and in alignment with stewardship best practices.
• Oversee the Stewardship team’s donor information and recognition program, including donor listings, recognition societies, and related initiatives, ensuring accuracy, consistency and program sustainability.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of five stewardship professionals by setting clear performance expectations, fostering accountability, support professional growth, and promoting a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Manage and monitor the physical recognition budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources and responsible financial stewardship.
• Oversee the administration and optimization usage of donor recognition systems and databases, including GiftMap and Raiser’s Edge NXT, to support accurate recognition tracking, reporting, and decision-making.
• Identify, recommend, and implement new recognition initiatives and stewardship opportunities that enhance donor engagement and celebrate philanthropic impact.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Foundation colleagues, hospital partners, donors, consultants, vendors, and other key stakeholders to advance stewardship objectives.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on donor recognition and stewardship best practices, providing guidance and consultation across the organization.
• Develop and evaluate recognition and stewardship policies, standards, and best practices.
• Analyze data and donor trends to inform stewardship strategies and measure program effectiveness.
• Manage risk and ensure compliance related to donor recognition agreements and naming commitments.
• Lead recognition planning for major campaigns, capital projects, and transformational gifts.
• Contribute to the achievement of the Foundation's strategic priorities by championing a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and integrity

Education

A four-year degree or equivalent with professional certification

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Teams

monday.com

Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)

Job description

VACANCY: Associate Director, Stewardship

REPORTS TO: Vice President, Stewardship

LOCATION: Toronto, Ontario (hybrid working model)

No. of VACANCIES: One (1).

SALARY RANGE: $120,000 .- $125,000 per annum

Please note: This range reflects the expected compensation for the candidates who meets the stated qualifications. Actual pay may vary based on experience, education, and internal compensation practices.

ABOUT UHN FOUNDATION

Part of University Health Network (UHN), Canada’s #1 hospital, UHN Foundation raises funds for research, education and excellence in patient care at Toronto General and Toronto Western hospitals, Toronto Rehab, The Michener Institute of Education at UHN and West Park Healthcare Centre. Our donor community is UHNITED to help us change the status quo of healthcare – helping recruit and train the brightest medical minds from around the world, develop new treatments for disease, and advance bold medical research.

UHN’s Toronto General Hospital has been ranked the #2 hospital in the world on Newsweek’s 2025 World’s Best Hospitals list, citing our leadership in transplantation, cardiac and vascular care, and surgical innovation.

The Foundation´s vision and mission is to enable global leadership and innovation in health by developing strong relationships with UHN stakeholders. We are committed to supporting UHN's vision to create a healthier world by embodying our values of integrity, accountability, collaboration and inclusion.

Together with our donors, we are helping Canada’s #1 hospital reimagine healthcare.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Director, Stewardship provides strategic leadership for UHN Foundation’s donor recognition program, ensuring meaningful and impactful recognition that celebrates philanthropy and strengthens donor relationships. Leading a team of stewardship professionals, the Associate Director oversees the Foundation’s physical recognition and donor information and recognition programs, including naming opportunities, recognition policies, donor listings and recognition societies.

Working collaboratively across the Foundation and UHN, the Associate Director provides strategic oversight for complex recognition initiatives and projects, including major campaigns, capital projects and transformational gifts. The role builds strong relationships with Foundation colleagues, senior leadership, hospital partners, donors, consultants and vendors to deliver recognition that is thoughtful, consistent and aligned with stewardship best practices.

The successful candidate is a strategic and action-oriented leader, creative problem solver and collaborative partner who is comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity. They bring sound judgment, strong project leadership and the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders while consistently delivering high-quality results.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the Foundation's donor recognition strategy, ensuring meaningful and impactful recognition for qualifying donors while developing innovative approaches to strengthen donor recognition and stewardship.
• Oversee the planning, implementation and ongoing management of the Stewardship team’s physical recognition program, including naming opportunities, naming hierarchies, future expansion plans, and recognition policies.
• Provide strategic oversight for the execution of complex donor recognition and construction-related projects, involving collaboration with internal stakeholders and external vendors and ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and in alignment with stewardship best practices.
• Oversee the Stewardship team’s donor information and recognition program, including donor listings, recognition societies, and related initiatives, ensuring accuracy, consistency and program sustainability.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of five stewardship professionals by setting clear performance expectations, fostering accountability, support professional growth, and promoting a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Manage and monitor the physical recognition budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources and responsible financial stewardship.
• Oversee the administration and optimization usage of donor recognition systems and databases, including GiftMap and Raiser’s Edge NXT, to support accurate recognition tracking, reporting, and decision-making.
• Identify, recommend, and implement new recognition initiatives and stewardship opportunities that enhance donor engagement and celebrate philanthropic impact.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Foundation colleagues, hospital partners, donors, consultants, vendors, and other key stakeholders to advance stewardship objectives.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on donor recognition and stewardship best practices, providing guidance and consultation across the organization.
• Develop and evaluate recognition and stewardship policies, standards, and best practices.
• Analyze data and donor trends to inform stewardship strategies and measure program effectiveness.
• Manage risk and ensure compliance related to donor recognition agreements and naming commitments.
• Lead recognition planning for major campaigns, capital projects, and transformational gifts.
• Contribute to the achievement of the Foundation's strategic priorities by championing a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and integrity

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• A relevant 4-year degree or, a relevant 3-year degree/diploma combined with a professional certification or, an equivalent combination of formal education and relevant experience.
• 7-10 years of experience working in this or related field in progressive leadership roles
• A proven track record for leading multiple, large and competing priorities with multiple stakeholders, including external and internal Excellent written and oral communication skills with a strong attention to detail and aptitude for engaging donors
• Experience building trusted partner relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendors
• Proven ability to build and sustain strong working relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders as well as work independently (and with ambiguity) to achieve results
• Proven ability to prioritize, plan and manage projects within established deadlines
• Highly proficient in the use of all corporate productivity tools including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, monday.com
• Experience in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and/or other design programs an asset Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or other donor database management systems preferred

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Fast-paced, service and results oriented environment
• May have some activity outside of the office to support meetings
• The Foundation has a hybrid work model. Staff will be required to be in office a minimum of 2 days per week and will be required to have a safe home office set up for the remainder of the working days (specifics to be planned with your manager).
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues in all positions throughout the Foundation
• Shared commitment and support of the overall

Foundation goals University Health Network thanks all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. UHN has a diverse workforce and is an equal-opportunity employer.

Please note:

All applicant screening and evaluation for this role are carried out manually by our recruitment team. We do not leverage AI in any part of the hiring process.