Senior Manager, Philanthropy and Partnerships

Calgary Zoo; Calgary; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a Senior Manager, Philanthropy and Partnerships to lead a dynamic fundraising team. This role focuses on transforming donor relationships and spearheading large-scale fundraising initiatives, promoting wildlife conservation. The ideal candidate will have extensive fundraising experience and strong leadership skills, eager to make a significant impact in community engagement and development.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Flexible benefits plan

Employer matching RRSP program

Discounts on food and merchandise

Fun work environment

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years’ related experience in fundraising.
• Experience managing high performance teams.
• Proven success in large-scale fundraising campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage front line fundraising team to meet targets.
• Oversee strategic planning and execution of fundraising campaigns.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.

Skills

Fundraising

Leadership

Relationship Management

Project Management

Customer Service

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

CFRE accreditation

Tools

Tessitura

Microsoft Office

Job description

Join the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and lead a team of driven fundraising professionals to build meaningful connections with community members! The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a full-time permanent Senior Manager, Philanthropy and Partnerships to manage, coach and mentor our high-performance front line fundraising team.

The Senior Manager will ensure our Key Relationship Managers (KRMs) effectively manage and enhance relationships with community members whether they are individuals, foundations, or corporations, who each may have multiple philanthropic interests, community influence and/or capacity for supporting the growth and purpose of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. This role will have a strong focus on large-scale, transformational fundraising campaigns, as the organization prepares to embark on several major, exciting initiatives.

Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.

Our Core Values | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.

What you will do:

• Act as a leader of the fundraising team that is responsible for raising gifts from donors at all levels, with a focus on a high standard of relationship management and donor upgrading systems.
• Provide leadership to their team of KRM’s by representing their needs and priorities to the Director, Development. Oversee the development, maintenance and growth of the front-line business units in development (individual giving, annual giving and memberships, sponsorship/partnerships, planned to give, foundations and grants and national roles).
• Longer-term planning for increasing performance and expanding fundraising into markets across Canada.
• Support with strategic planning and execution of large-scale, transformational fundraising campaigns, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and long-term growth objectives.
• Act as a key support to ensure KRM's meet agreed targets including dollars raised, face to face activity, and portfolio size. This could include but is not limited to participation in key activities such as face-to-face calls, development of engagement plans and reviewing ask/stewardship materials.
• Building and maintaining relationships with other departments, with a focus on collaborating with their operational leader peers.
• Develop relationships and strategies with volunteers, board members and Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo leadership and executives which enable the meeting of KRM targets.
• Working with the national team of KRM’s, develop and implement fundraising plans to raise profile and funding for the Wilder Institute outside of the Calgary market.
• Ensures the KRM team is following a strategic moves management system to optimize fundraising success.
• Ensure full understanding of their teams fundraising activity in order to provide reporting on KPI’s by request or as needed to the Director, Development.
• Working with the front line business units, prepare annual revenue and expense budgets.
• Supervise the strategic objectives of direct reports, including annual goal setting and regular performance reviews.
• Achieve positive outcomes by providing ongoing coaching, training, inspiration and support; establishes clear accountability for team members; and ensures an atmosphere that encourages open and respectful communication.
• Manage performance metrics for all KRM team members in the areas of portfolio size, annual moves, asks and campaign related goals.
• Travel on occasion or as needed to meet with and support national team of KRM’s
• Manage projects as assigned, with the support of the Director, Development.
• Embrace continuous education on relevant information which affects this role.
• Performs other responsibilities as required.
  
  

What you will bring:

• Minimum of 10 years’ related experience fundraising in various areas of fund development (philanthropy, annual giving, sponsorship, grants etc.).
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in managing high performance teams.
• Experience with large-scale, transformational fundraising campaigns.
• CFRE accreditation considered an asset.
• Memberships in AFP, CAGP or other professional fundraising related organizations are considered an asset.
• Previous experience fundraising in a national organization considered an asset.
• Ability to take initiative and independently plan, organize, coordinate and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved and where meticulous attention to detail is required.
• Ability to manage and navigate sensitive/difficult conversations or situations that may arise.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interpret, organize, and present information and ideas in written or presentation form.
• Ability to determine requirements of a gift agreement, as well as contribute to and interpret gift agreement details.
• Ability to form strong relationships with team members across the country working remotely.
• Skilled in developing, interpreting and presenting KPI’s to various audiences.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Tessitura (or other fundraising databases).
• Project Management skills and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively to achieve results.
• Is self-motivated to create and initiate solutions.
• Demonstrated dedication to outstanding customer service.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including strong listening and interpretive skills.
• Ability to coach and mentor high performance teams.
• Ability to seek ways to add value to ongoing relationships.
• Ability to work effectively with donors and prospects, senior management, and other departments.
• Ability to manage time effectively between varied responsibilities.
• Communicate effectively at all levels.
• Strives to achieve best practices and committed to professional development.
  
  

Working Conditions:

• Mostly desk work, some on-grounds mobility is required.
• Although primarily Monday to Friday, occasional evening and weekend work is required.
• Access to reliable source of transportation is required.
• Travel nationally on occasion or as needed to manage the national team of fundraisers.
  
  

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.

What the Zoo Offers:

• Competitive compensation, vacation and flex days entitlement
• Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account
• Employer matching RRSP program
• Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
• Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan
• A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals
  
  

Are you ready to join one of Canada’s leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you.

Apply by doing the following:

• Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1VH1MBXm0)
• Submit your resume with a cover letter via our online application system.
• Fill in the Application questions:
• If hired, when would you be available to start?
• If hired, what would be your salary expectations for this position?
• Please briefly describe your experience including why you are a good fit for this role.
  

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter online by June 18, 2025 at 4pm MST.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organization’s mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.

All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that only those selected for interviews will be contacted.