POSITION TITLE: Senior Development Specialist, Partnerships & Philanthropy
PROGRAM: Development and Communications
POSITION TYPE: Permanent, full-time
HOURS OF WORK: 37.5-hour work week, hybrid at home and in office
CMHA Calgary is seeking an ambitious, relationship-driven fundraiser to help grow philanthropic and corporate support for mental health in our community.
This is a highly external-facing role. The successful candidate will spend a significant portion of their time meeting with donors, prospects, sponsors, business leaders, and community partners throughout Calgary. If you enjoy building relationships, opening doors, creating opportunities, and connecting people to a meaningful cause, we'd like to hear from you.
About the Role
The Senior Development Specialist, Partnerships & Philanthropy is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors, sponsors, and community partners while actively building a pipeline of new funding opportunities.
This role will play a key part in growing CMHA Calgary's individual giving program, with a focus on monthly giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and community fundraising opportunities.
Success in this position requires a balance of relationship-building and results. The ideal candidate understands that meaningful philanthropic support is built through consistent outreach, strategic follow-up, and the confidence to ask others to invest in CMHA Calgary's mission.
What You'll Do
- Build and manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects.
- Grow monthly giving through donor acquisition, upgrades, retention, and conversion strategies.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects.
- Develop and grow corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and workplace giving opportunities.
- Build relationships with business leaders, community partners, and supporters.
- Collaborate with CMHA Calgary's community events and third-party fundraising coordinator to maximize fundraising opportunities.
- Develop proposals, presentations, and partnership opportunities.
- Conduct donor, sponsor, and prospect meetings throughout the community.
- Maintain an active fundraising pipeline and identify new opportunities for growth.
- Represent CMHA Calgary at meetings, networking events, community functions, and fundraising activities.
Our Fundraising Philosophy
At CMHA Calgary, fundraising is not simply about asking for money. It is about inviting people, businesses, and community partners to be part of something meaningful.
We believe strong philanthropic support is built through trust, connection, impact, and engagement. At the same time, successful fundraisers understand the importance of making clear and direct asks when the time is right.
This role is not for someone who waits for opportunities to arrive. It is for someone who enjoys opening doors, starting conversations, following up, and creating momentum.
The Ideal Candidate
You are:
- Naturally curious and relationship-oriented.
- Energized by meeting new people and building new connections.
- Comfortable initiating conversations and opening doors.
- Persistent, disciplined, and consistent in follow-up.
- Motivated by goals, growth, and measurable outcomes.
- Comfortable making direct asks and moving conversations forward.
- Equally comfortable cultivating relationships and asking for support.
- Excited by the opportunity to represent CMHA Calgary in the community.
Qualifications
- Three to five years of experience in fundraising, business development, sponsorship, sales, account management, or partnership development.
- Demonstrated success generating revenue through relationship-based fundraising, sales, or business development.
- Strong networking, prospecting, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
- Experience managing donor, prospect, or customer pipelines.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Valid driver's licence and access to reliable transportation.
Why CMHA Calgary?
At CMHA Calgary, you'll join a passionate team working to create a community where mental health is a priority for all. You'll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, create lasting impact, and help secure the resources that make our programs and services possible for thousands of Calgarians every year.
Disclaimer
The above statements are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities. Additional duties, projects, and tasks may be assigned based on organizational priorities and operational needs.
As part of a mental health organization, employees may occasionally be exposed to emotionally charged, sensitive, or high-stress situations. The successful candidate must demonstrate resilience, sound judgment, emotional regulation, and the ability to maintain composure and professionalism under pressure.
CMHA Calgary operates CCTV equipment on its premises for safety and security purposes. Employees may be subject to video monitoring while on site.
CMHA Calgary is a smoke-free workplace. There may be occasional exposure to secondhand smoke from designated smoking areas located near the property.
CMHA Calgary is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and psychologically safe workplace. We welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Application closing date: The posting will remain active on the website until the positions are filled.
Candidates meeting the above criteria who wish to apply for this exciting opportunity should email their cover letter and resume to Human Resources at [email protected]
Please include the reference #20072026 in your email subject line of your application.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.
