Director of Philanthropic Engagement
DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPIC ENGAGEMENT
PARTNER RELATIONS DIVISION
PURPOSE SUMMARY
The Director of Philanthropic Engagement provides strategic leadership for Compassion Canada 's major gift, foundation, and corporate partnership fundraising efforts. This role is responsible for developing and executing philanthropic engagement strategies that deepen donor relationships, expand philanthropic investment, and generate transformational support for children, families, and communities around the world. As a member of the Partner Relations Leadership Team, the Director leads a team of fundraising professionals, manages a portfolio of key philanthropic partners, and collaborates with organizational leaders to achieve revenue growth, donor retention, and long-term sustainability. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this role contributes to the strategic leadership of Compassion Canada 's fundraising and partner engagement efforts.
MINISTRY FOCUS
Compassion Canada is a Christian organization, committed to being child-focused, Christ-centered, and church driven. Every Staff member at Compassion Canada will:
- Agree with Compassion Canada โs core documents, including a Statement of Faith.
- Conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner at work and outside the workplace.
- Participate in regular Staff Gatherings which include spiritual practices like worship, Scripture reading, and prayer.
- Pray with staff or supporters when requested or deemed appropriate.
WHAT YOU DO MATTERS
TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic:
- In collaboration with the Partner Relations Leadership Team, establish strategies and relationship roadmaps to achieve Key Performance targets for the portfolio.
- Develop actionable strategies for meeting and exceeding revenue goals through gifts, donations, and new revenue streams.
- Develop and implement portfolio management and donor engagement strategies that move prospects through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and increased philanthropic investment.
- Monitor philanthropic trends, fundraising regulations, industry best practices, and Compassion's programmatic priorities, providing relevant insights and recommendations to organizational leadership.
- Provide strategic oversight for philanthropic initiatives, ensuring effective allocation of resources and achievement of organizational objectives.
- Partner with executive leaders, board members, volunteers, and key stakeholders to identify, cultivate, and advance strategic philanthropic opportunities.
Cross Functional:
- In collaboration with the Chief Development Officer and Partner Relations Directors, prepare annual plans, revenue forecasts, and budgets.
- In collaboration with Organizational Leaders track monthly fundraising, highlight anticipated deviations, and adapt tactics to respond to anticipated shortfalls.
- Liaise with Compassion International colleagues with related efforts to exchange best practices.
- Actively participate in weekly Staff Gatherings and prayer meetings.
Leadership & Management:
- Lead, coach, and develop the Philanthropic Engagement Team by establishing clear performance expectations, fostering professional growth, and promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and spiritual maturity.
- Accountable for achieving annual philanthropic revenue, donor retention, and portfolio growth targets through major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundations, and other strategic giving opportunities.
- Identify and pursue transformational and blended giving opportunities, including major gifts, legacy commitments, donor-advised funds, gifts of securities, and foundation investments where appropriate.
- Ensure exceptional donor experiences through personalized engagement, meaningful recognition, and stewardship strategies that foster long-term partnership and generosity.
- Monitor fundraising pipeline health, donor retention, portfolio movement, and forecast accur