Vice President

Keynote Group; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Keynote Group is seeking a Vice President of Philanthropy for The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. This pivotal role involves advancing the organization’s philanthropic priorities while providing leadership across all areas of fundraising and donor engagement.

The successful candidate will cultivate high-value donor relationships, strengthen community partnerships, and represent the Foundation publicly. This position demands a compassionate, people-centred approach, strategic vision, and the ability to communicate effectively across diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated track record of leading sophisticated fundraising strategies and cultivating donor relationships.
• Experience in hands-on fundraising execution and strategic leadership.
• Proven ability to represent the organization in a professional manner.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Foundation’s philanthropy function and enhance donor awareness.
• Develop and execute fundraising strategies to increase multi-year commitments.
• Serve as a key external ambassador to strengthen visibility and foster trust.

Skills

Fundraising strategies

High-value donor relationships

People-centred leadership

Networking

Bilingual communication

Education

Experience in philanthropy

Job description

Learn more about this exciting opportunity

Central Role

As a member of the executive leadership team, you will play a central role in advancing The Ottawa Cancer Foundation’s philanthropic priorities and long-term organizational vision.

Internally, you will provide leadership and guidance to the philanthropy team while helping strengthen alignment, communication, and operational effectiveness across functions.

Key Position

As one of the organization’s key external ambassadors, you will play an important role in strengthening the Foundation’s visibility and presence throughout the region.

Vice President, Philanthropy @ The Ottawa Cancer Foundation

Company: The Ottawa Cancer Foundation

The Ottawa Cancer Foundation is an independent charitable organization dedicated to providing direct support, practical services, and compassionate care to individuals and families affected by cancer across the Ottawa region. For more than 30 years, the organization has played an important role within the region’s cancer care landscape, initially through funding research and clinical trials, and more recently through the evolution of a community‑based model focused on improving quality of life for those navigating the realities of cancer.

Today, the Foundation operates as a growing cancer support organization delivering programs, services, and resources for cancer patients, caregivers, and families both within its Community Cancer Hubs and through a broad network of community partnerships. Through this collaborative model, the organization is able to extend its reach and provide access to a wide range of support services while remaining responsive, accessible, and deeply connected to the needs of the people it serves. Following the recent opening of a second location in Ottawa’s west end, the Foundation continues to broaden access to care and strengthen its presence across the region.

Following significant investments in systems, infrastructure, and organizational alignment, the Foundation is entering an important period of growth and external engagement. Supported entirely through philanthropy, sponsorship, events, foundations, and community giving, the organization is focused on strengthening long‑term donor partnerships, enhancing visibility across the region, advancing several facility and infrastructure initiatives, and continuing to build awareness around the evolving needs of those impacted by cancer.

Skills & Experience

Leadership

You are an accomplished leader with a demonstrated track record of leading sophisticated fundraising strategies, cultivating high‑value donor relationships, and advancing long‑term philanthropic growth within complex organizations.

You have successfully balanced strategic leadership with hands‑on fundraising execution, bringing experience across major gifts, annual giving, corporate partnerships, foundations, planned giving, campaign activity, and donor stewardship.

You are highly relationship‑oriented and bring the presence, confidence, and professionalism required to represent an organization publicly and credibly.

Networking

Your ability to read a room, adapt your approach, and foster meaningful connections allows you to engage effectively with a wide range of audiences and stakeholders.

The ability to communicate in both official languages would be considered a strong asset.

People‑Centred

You are also someone who values purpose‑driven work and recognizes the importance of compassionate, people‑centred leadership within emotionally sensitive environments.

Summary of the Role

Reporting to the CEO, the Vice President, Philanthropy (“VP”) will lead the Foundation’s philanthropy function during a period of organizational momentum and increasing external engagement, helping strengthen awareness, deepen donor confidence, and expand philanthropic investment in support of cancer care services across the region.

As a member of the executive leadership team, you will play a central role in advancing The Ottawa Cancer Foundation’s philanthropic priorities and long‑term organizational vision. You will provide leadership across all areas of fundraising and donor engagement, including major gifts, annual giving, corporate partnerships, sponsorship, events, foundations, planned giving, and future campaign initiatives. You will oversee the development and execution of fundraising strategies designed to strengthen long‑term philanthropic support, with particular emphasis on cultivating sustained donor relationships, increasing multi‑year commitments, and supporting the Foundation’s future capital and infrastructure priorities. Working closely with the CEO, Chief Mission Officer, VP of Finance and Operations, Board committees, and other senior leaders, you will help align fundraising efforts with evolving organizational needs, operational priorities, and future growth plans.

As one of the organization’s key external ambassadors, you will play an important role in strengthening the Foundation’s visibility and presence throughout the region. You will actively engage with donors, community leaders, corporate partners, volunteers, and stakeholders to foster trust, increase awareness, and elevate the organization’s profile within the broader philanthropic and healthcare landscape. You will represent the Foundation publicly, speaking at events, building authentic connections, and navigating sensitive conversations with empathy, professionalism, and credibility. Internally, you will provide leadership and guidance to the philanthropy team while helping strengthen alignment, communication, and operational effectiveness across functions. You will foster a collaborative and accountable environment that supports both day‑to‑day execution and long‑term planning, while ensuring the team remains positioned to deliver a high standard of donor experience and engagement. As the Foundation continues to evolve, you will bring both strategic perspective and practical leadership, helping the organization balance immediate priorities with future opportunities for growth and impact.