Executive Director, Foundation

Matthews House Hospice; Alliston; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A local hospice organization in Ontario is seeking an Executive Director to lead fundraising efforts, foster community engagement, and manage philanthropic strategies. The ideal candidate will have a university degree, extensive experience in fundraising, and proven relationship management skills. This full-time role requires strong leadership and financial management capabilities. The salary range is competitive, and the position is on-site with no remote work options.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of fundraising and relationship management experience.
• Experience in closing major donations and sponsorship agreements.
• Excellent negotiation and diplomacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of strategic plans.
• Serve as the public face of the Foundation.
• Develop and implement donor engagement strategies.

Skills

Fundraising strategies

Excellent communication

Relationship management

Team leadership

Financial management

Education

University degree in Business, Marketing, Communications or Public Relations

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Matthews House Hospice

Department: Foundation - Fundraising, Events, Marketing & Communication

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Hours: 37.5 hours/week

Annual Salary: 80,000 ~ $110,000

SCOPE

The Executive Director (ED) of the Matthews House Hospice Foundation (MHHF) provides visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight to ensure strong and sustainable philanthropic support for Matthews House Hospice. The ED is responsible for fundraising, donor relations, community engagement, financial stewardship, and the overall management of the Foundation. This role is central to advancing the mission of Matthews House Hospice and strengthening its presence throughout South Simcoe.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategic Planning, Growth, and Innovation

• Lead the development and implementation of long-term strategic plans that support organizational growth and sustainability.
• Identify and implement new fundraising strategies and diversified revenue streams.
• Monitor trends in the non-profit and healthcare sectors to align strategic goals with emerging opportunities.
• Evaluate and enhance communication, marketing, and engagement strategies to support long-term success.
• Identify and implement technological advancements to improve service delivery, donor engagement, and operational efficiency.

2. Building Relationships and Advocacy

• Serve as the public face of the MHHF, fostering meaningful relationships with donors, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Build strong partnerships across South Simcoe, including social service organizations, local businesses, and community leaders.
• Attend community events to increase visibility and engagement for MHHF.
• Strengthen donor retention strategies while cultivating new relationships for long-term growth.
• Represent the Foundation with professionalism, compassion, and integrity in all public and media interactions.

3. Fundraising and Donor Engagement

• Develop and implement donor engagement strategies, including stewardship programs, major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, signature events and grants.
• Lead the planning and execution of fundraising events and campaigns.
• Ensure exceptional donor stewardship, recognition, and communication.
• Manage donor information with respect to privacy, confidentiality, and CRA compliance, including database management and receipting processes.
• Demonstrate strong storytelling skills to align donor interests with organizational impact.

4. Leadership, Team Development, and Culture

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a dedicated team to achieve organizational goals.
• Foster a supportive, collaborative, and accountable workplace culture grounded in respect, integrity, compassion, community, and excellence.
• Promote professional growth and development through mentorship, coaching, and training opportunities.
• Provide clear direction, set performance expectations, and ensure accountability across all roles.
• Ensure effective team communication and coordination to maintain a high-performing organization.

5. Administration, Financial Management, and Board Support

• Develop and manage the annual budget, monitor revenue streams, and ensure responsible financial stewardship.
• Approve expenditures and monitor financial performance to meet revenue and expense targets.
• Oversee financial reporting, audits, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Maintain strong relationships with the Board of Directors, providing regular updates on financial health, operational priorities, and strategic initiatives.
• Support the Board in governance, planning, and decision-making processes.
• Manage communication, marketing, and social media for both MHHF and Matthews House Hospice.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education

• University degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or Public Relations.
• Minimum 5 years of fundraising and relationship management experience.
• Experience in closing major donation and sponsorship agreements, in excess of $10,000.
• Demonstrated ability to acquire donation and sponsorship agreements with executive level prospects.
• Able to build and maintain lasting relationships with organizational departments, key fundraising partners, other stakeholders.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, methods, practices, and techniques.
• Excellent communication and marketing skills, including presentation experience to large and diverse audiences.
• Excellent negotiation and diplomacy skills, with a high degree of tact and persuasiveness.

Leadership & Sector Knowledge

• Progressive leadership experience with a demonstrated history of leading diverse teams.
• Experience in the non-profit, community health, or palliative care sector is preferred.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, organizational growth, and change management.
• Collaborative, creative, empathetic, and empowering leadership style.
• Ability to navigate complex challenges with calmness, clarity, and executive presence.

Fundraising & Community Engagement

• Proven experience in fundraising, donor relations, event management, or marketing within a non-profit or social services environment.
• Extensive knowledge of fundraising strategies including major gifts, planned giving, annual campaigns, and grants.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with donors, stakeholders, and community leaders.
• A proven track record of growing revenue and scaling organizational development.
• Experience in government relations and advocacy related to fundraising or community engagement.

Financial & Administrative Skills

• Strong financial management experience, including budget preparation, analysis, and reporting.
• Business acumen, political acuity, and strong conflict resolution skills.
• Experience working effectively with and reporting to a Board of Directors.
• Technological proficiency, including experience with CRM systems and digital engagement tools.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Exceptional communication skills, including public speaking, media engagement, and stakeholder relations.
• Ability to communicate with compassion and empathy when working with families, donors, and community members connected to palliative care.
• Strong storytelling ability to articulate impact and inspire donor support.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Clean Criminal Record/Vulnerable Sector police check.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as a leader of a team of staff and volunteers.
• Flexibility with scheduling.
• Ability to lift/move boxes and other items.

TIME COMMITMENT

• Full-time, on-site presence. Virtual or remote work is not applicable
• Regular daytime shifts from Monday - Friday
• On-call support is required for this position

To apply for this position, please forward your resume/cover letter to [e-mail]. If you are an individual who has a disability covered under the Human Rights Code and you require accommodation to apply for a Matthews House job posting, please indicate your accommodation needs within your application email.