Senior Manager, Donor Communications

Canadian Cancer Society; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 82,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid parental leave

Family sick time

Health insurance

Job summary

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is hiring a Senior Manager, Donor Communications for a 14-month contract. Based in Canada under a hybrid model, you will lead a team of four and shape donor-focused content across campaigns, channels, and programs to drive revenue and engagement.

Responsibilities include story development, creative briefs, donor journey optimization, and performance analytics, with emphasis on AI-assisted efficiency.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of experience with a strategic focus in communications, fundraising and direct marketing.
• Proven track record in conceptualizing and implementing fundraising and stewardship content strategies, with a focus on digitally driven programs.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills for direct response channels and 1:many audiences.
• Experience working within a brand and product framework to guide creative expression.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of inspiring, motivating and developing team members.
• Bilingualism (French/English) is highly preferred; French is required for candidates based in Quebec.

Responsibilities

• Lead content and communications strategy for integrated campaigns, products, segments and channels.
• Develop positioning, support and impact statements, and select storytellers, researchers and donors to express value propositions across all formats.
• Advise on and collaborate in the execution of creative work, including briefing, editing, rewriting and original copywriting.
• Support teams across the Development and Engagement function in producing direct response fundraising communications in digital and direct mail formats.
• Lead the development of donor-centric stewardship and engagement content, including impact reporting.
• Own the development and execution of the donor e-newsletter within the stewardship experience.
• Develop or refresh donor journey content to drive conversion and retention.
• Manage the donor communications inventory and oversee the annual review and update of all turnkey 1:many communications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional content creators to integrate content into cross-platform storytelling.
• Contribute to messaging frameworks and other tools that guide creative content strategy.
• Analyze and report on the performance of key communications pieces and provide recommendations for optimization.
• Monitor external markets and assess best practices across industries.
• Lead four direct reports, including recruitment, capacity building, performance feedback, coaching and retention.
• Champion the use of approved AI and technology tools (including Copilot) to increase team efficiency and quality.

Skills

Strategic communications

Fundraising strategy

Team leadership

English-French bilingual

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is a national nonprofit that funds transformative cancer research, provides support services for people affected by cancer, and advocates to governments for healthier public policy. It operates across Canada with staff, volunteers, donors and community partners working toward a future without cancer.

The role

This is a 14-month contract position for a Senior Manager, Donor Communications, sitting within the Development and Engagement function. The role leads a team of four direct reports and is responsible for content and communications strategy that supports revenue growth and donor engagement across a wide range of fundraising programs, products, segments and channels. The position can be based in Vancouver BC, Ottawa ON, Calgary AB, Halifax NS, St John's NL, Kelowna BC, Prince George BC, Montreal QC, or Québec QC, under a hybrid work model.

What you would do

• Lead content and communications strategy for integrated campaigns, products, segments and channels.
• Develop positioning, support and impact statements, and select storytellers, researchers and donors to express value propositions across all formats.
• Advise on and collaborate in the execution of creative work, including briefing, editing, rewriting and original copywriting.
• Support teams across the Development and Engagement function in producing direct response fundraising communications in digital and direct mail formats.
• Lead the development of donor-centric stewardship and engagement content, including impact reporting.
• Own the development and execution of the donor e-newsletter within the stewardship experience.
• Develop or refresh donor journey content to drive conversion and retention.
• Manage the donor communications inventory and oversee the annual review and update of all turnkey 1:many communications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional content creators to integrate content into cross-platform storytelling.
• Contribute to messaging frameworks and other tools that guide creative content strategy.
• Analyze and report on the performance of key communications pieces and provide recommendations for optimization.
• Monitor external markets and assess best practices across industries.
• Lead four direct reports, including recruitment, capacity building, performance feedback, coaching and retention.
• Champion the use of approved AI and technology tools (including Copilot) to increase team efficiency and quality.

What they are looking for

• Undergraduate degree in Communications, Fundraising, Marketing or a related field.
• At least 7–10 years of experience with a strategic focus in communications, fundraising and direct marketing.
• Proven track record in conceptualizing and implementing fundraising and stewardship content strategies, with a focus on digitally driven programs.
• Experience leading the development of an e-newsletter to promote donor engagement.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills for direct response channels and 1:many audiences.
• Experience working within a brand and product framework to guide creative expression.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of inspiring, motivating and developing team members.
• Solid knowledge of the Canadian nonprofit sector.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office.
• Bilingualism (French/English) is highly preferred; French is required for candidates based in Quebec.

Working arrangements

The role is hybrid, with office locations available in Vancouver BC, Ottawa ON, Calgary AB, Halifax NS, St John's NL, Kelowna BC, Prince George BC, Montreal QC, and Québec QC. Detailed office location information is available at https://cancer.ca/en/contact-us.

Pay and benefits

The salary band is CAD 82,000 – CAD 92,000. CCS offers a competitive benefits package including paid parental leave, family sick time and health insurance.