Senior Manager, Development - Events

Make-A-Wish ® International; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Make-A-Wish Canada is seeking a Senior Manager, Development - Events to lead fundraising events in Quebec. This full-time, hybrid role involves managing event logistics, developing fundraising strategies, and collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure successful events that change the lives of children with critical illnesses.

Benefits

Health and dental premiums fully covered

Annual vacation starting at three weeks

Employee Wellness Program

Continuous learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in fundraising event management.
• Strong understanding of charity sector and not-for-profit fundraising events.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute signature events including the 48-Hour Ride.
• Develop strategies to meet targeted revenue for fundraising events.
• Collaborate with sponsors and manage event logistics.

Skills

Bilingual

Relationship Building

Fundraising

Event Management

Education

CFRE or equivalent designation

Tools

MS Office

Salesforce

Donor Drive

Job description

Job Description

Posted Friday, May 16, 2025 at 4:00 a.m. | Expires Monday, June 2, 2025 at 3:59 a.m.

"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

Ourmissionis, together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illness. Supported by ourvisionto grant the wish of every eligible child.

Ourvaluesare 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
• 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 offeringa rewarding employment experience where your contributions make a true difference every day!

WHERE YOU COME IN

We are looking for a Senior Manager, Development - Events to join our team at Make-A-Wish Canada. This position is responsible for the management and execution of Make-A-Wish Canada’s signature and community events in the Quebec marketplace, including and not limited to their largest fundraising event, the 48-Hour Ride.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: event asset management, participant and sponsor care, website and registration, contest management, logistical and schedule planning, expense tracking, volunteer management, entertainment, and post-event communications. Reporting to the VP, Development (Quebec), the Sr. Manager, Development is directly accountable for ensuring the success of the 48-Hour Ride in partnership with an external event producer.

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

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• In partnership with the Vice President Eastern Canada and an external Event Producer, develops strategies to meet targeted revenue for the 48-Hour Ride which contributes to the overall fundraising goals of the organization.
• Identify potential partners for events and MAWREC.
• Continuously manage the event budgets,
• Works collaboratively with the Chapter Advisory Board to identify prospective sponsors and participants from within and outside of MAWC’s existing network.
• Manages event websites and registration sites and supports participants through the registration process.
• In conjunction with Communications, identifies the need for, and creates, event printed and digital assets.
• Manages effective systems for tracking activity through Salesforce and Donor Drive enabling MAWC to grow and/or maintain ongoing relationships with current and past donors.
• Manages the application for and implementation of event contesting with the province of Quebec.
• Meticulously documents event activity including revenue and expenses.
• Using the Make-A-Wish database, recruits and manages volunteers required for events.
• Books and manages event entertainment as required.
• Participates in the planning and implementation meetings across multiple Make-A-Wish departments.
• Plans and executes post-event recognition and stewardship programs.
• Acts as a representative for MAWC by conducting presentations at various meetings and events as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bilingual in French and English.
• Strong understanding of charity sector and not-for-profit fundraising events.
• Minimum 5 years of experience of fundraising event management and execution.
• CFRE or professional equivalent professional designation an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large numbers of volunteers.
• Experience in the direct ask role with proven results in successfully cultivating and soliciting event participants and sponsors.
• Strong relationship building skills, with the ability to motivate and persuade with tact and diplomacy.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office, with knowledge of Salesforce and Donor Drive.
• Ability to handle sensitive, confidential information appropriately and to demonstrate excellent judgement when communicating with and about donors and/or prospects.
• Highly self-motivated and directed.
• High attention to detail.
• Reliable transportation to and from the office, and for events and donor meetings.
• A Criminal Background Check is required.

YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The main responsibilities will be undertaken at home or at the office, in a hybrid work model. However, you may will be regularly required to perform event-related duties throughout the city of Montreal and be present at the 48-Hour Ride and other regional events as required.
• Regularly requires work outside or beyond traditional office hours and thus requires a flexible schedule year-round.

Physical/Mental Effort

• Works under pressure of tight deadlines, with high volume workload, and with multiple demands and changing priorities.
• Demonstrates emotional resiliency to be able to work with multiple stakeholders, participants and sponsors.
• May be exposed with sensitive situations with respect to Wish Children and families, as well as donors.

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.

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!

For 40 years, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted over 39,000 wishes across the country, 1,389 of them last year alone. As an independently operating affiliate of Make-A-Wish International, Make-A-Wish Canada is part of a 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. For the second year in a row, Make-A-Wish Canada has been named a Great Place to Work and in 2024 was named to the Top 100 Best Workplaces for Giving Back.

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 .