Development Officer – Mid-Level Giving

Nova Scotia SPCA; Dartmouth; Hybrid; CAD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental & health benefits

RRSP matching

Rewards program

Employee discounts

Job summary

Nova Scotia SPCA is seeking a Development Officer to join our Fund Development team and grow support for animals across the province. You’ll build relationships with donors through calls, emails, meetings and personalized communication, with training provided.

You’ll manage a portfolio of mid-level donors (up to $5,000) and work with senior staff to identify engagement opportunities, while helping to coordinate the kennel sponsorship program and donor events.

Qualifications

• Strong relationship-building and communication abilities are essential.
• Willingness to learn fundraising practices, donor systems and new ways of working.
• Experience in sales, customer service, hospitality or community outreach is valuable.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with donors through phone calls, emails, meetings and personalized communication.
• Thank donors, share information about the impact of their support and invite them to continue or increase their giving.
• Manage a portfolio of mid-level donors (up to $5,000), with coaching from senior fundraising staff.
• Identify donors who may be ready for additional engagement and prioritize outreach and follow-up.
• Help develop and coordinate the SPCA's provincial kennel sponsorship program.
• Use Raiser's Edge NXT to record donor outreach, conversations, activities, next steps and results.
• Carry out donor cultivation and stewardship plans with the Fund Development team.
• Prepare donor updates, impact information and personalized communications.
• Support donor events and stewardship activities.
• Coordinate with various leaders to align mid-level donor plans with broader campaign objectives.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication skills

Donor engagement

Active listening

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Post-secondary education asset

Tools

Raiser's Edge NXT

Job description

Compensation: Starting from $25.00 per hour

Start Date: As soon as possible

Looking to build a career in fundraising? We can teach you the fundraising part.

If you enjoy connecting with people, building relationships, and working toward meaningful goals, we’d love to hear from you. The Nova Scotia SPCA is looking for a Development Officer to join our Fund Development team and help grow support for animals across the province.

Working alongside experienced fundraisers, you’ll build relationships with donors through calls, emails, meetings, and other outreach. No previous fundraising experience is required. We provide training and coaching in donor engagement, fundraising practices, and the tools needed to succeed.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Build relationships with donors through phone calls, emails, meetings and personalized communication.
• Thank donors, share information about the impact of their support and invite them to continue or increase their giving.
• Manage a portfolio of mid-level donors (up to $5000), with coaching and support from senior fundraising staff.
• Identify donors who may be ready for additional engagement and use donor information to prioritize outreach and follow-up
• Help develop and coordinate the SPCA's provincial kennel sponsorship program.
• Use Raiser's Edge NXT to record and track donor outreach, conversations, activities, next steps and fundraising results.
• Carry out donor cultivation and stewardship plans developed with the Fund Development team.
• Help prepare donor updates, impact information and other personalized communications.
• Support donor events and stewardship activities.
• Work closely with fundraising, communications, the Associate Director of Campaigns, Director of Campaigns, and Chief Strategy Officer to align mid-level donor plans with broader campaign objectives.
• Bring ideas, curiosity and a willingness to learn from the team.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

Education & Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Post-secondary education in fundraising, communications, marketing, business, community development, nonprofit studies, or a related field is considered an asset, but is not required.
• Relevant work, volunteer, community or lived experience is valued and will be considered alongside formal education.
• Previous fundraising experience is not required. Experience in sales, customer service, hospitality, retail, community outreach, call centres, recruitment, or other relationship-focused roles is considered relevant.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to learn new skills, systems, and approaches is essential.

You do not need to have worked in fundraising before. We are interested in people who have developed strong relationship-building and communication skills through work, volunteering, school, community involvement or other life experiences. You might be a good fit if you:

• Enjoy talking with people and are comfortable starting conversations with people you do not already know.
• Can build trust, listen well and understand what matters to someone.
• Are comfortable asking people to support a cause they care about and can do so in a respectful, confident and genuine way.
• Understand that strong fundraising is about building relationships over time, not simply making an ask.
• Are motivated by goals and comfortable tracking your outreach, follow-up and results.
• Are organized and able to manage conversations, commitments and next steps with multiple people.
• Communicate clearly and warmly by phone, email and in person.
• Are curious, coachable and willing to learn fundraising practices, donor systems and new ways of working.
• Can work independently while also contributing as part of a collaborative Fund Development team.

Additional Information

This position requires travel within Nova Scotia for donor meetings and events. A valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance are required. This role is primarily on-site in Dartmouth with flexibility for remote work as competencies are developed. Evening and weekend availability may be required based on donor schedules and event commitments.

Physical Requirements

May include working alone, meetings, and occasional attendance at outdoor events.

What We Offer

• Dental and health benefits including Teladoc telemedicine service (after 3 months).
• RRSP matching contributions (after 1 year)
• Internal employee rewards program.
• Employee discount for veterinary services, pet food and at SPCA thrift stores.

We thank all applicants for their interest in a career at the Nova Scotia SPCA, however, only those selected for screening will be contacted.