Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Senior Development Officer to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.
NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, we have brought people together to conserve and restore more than 20 million hectares across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With office locations in all ten provinces across Canada, NCC delivers results you can walk on.
NCC recognizes that we work on lands that have long been cared for by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. We are committed to transforming how we do our work, advancing Reconciliation through conservation, and working with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful, and supportive ways.
The Senior Development Officer is responsible for working in collaboration with the Development team to develop and execute an integrated and long-range cultivation, solicitation and stewardship plan of current and prospective major donors. The position is a key contributor to the annual revenue goals of NCC in Ontario.
The incumbent will focus on building and facilitating philanthropic relationships with individuals, businesses, corporations, organizations and foundations and on facilitating the decision process of making a current major gift (minimum of $25,000 but with a primary focus on $100,000 and larger gifts). The candidate should expect to spend the majority of their time attending or planning face-to-face meetings with prospective donors and should be willing to travel frequently within Ontario and occasionally elsewhere within Canada as required.
The candidate will be a self-directed and motivated individual with proven, exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with people from all walks of life. The incumbent must have an excellent proven record of donor relationship building, cultivation and solicitation of major gifts. The incumbent will work collaboratively with the organization’s Development and Marketing department. In this role, the Senior Development Officer will work with the team to identify and implement strategies and tactics to grow the number of major gift donors across Ontario.
-
Fundraise major gifts from private sources
-
Actively build and manage a portfolio of prospects and donors;
-
Develop and execute strategic plans for fundraising programs, donor approaches and solicitations;
-
Meet with donors and prospects face-to-face to facilitate donor decisions resulting in major gifts and the signing of donor agreements;
-
Collaborate with other members of the Development team, research ideas, contribute to developing funding proposals, gift agreements, and other donor communication materials and ensure the highest standard in the management of donor communications;
-
Provide timely information and professional responses to donor inquiries;
-
Support the execution of and attend major donor events and cultivate and steward relationships with the attendees;
-
Work in collaboration with the team to develop annual work plans and budgets to ensure that NCC and the Regional Development team meets its annual targets;
-
Effectively communicate NCC’s vision nationally and communicate to donors national and regional fund-raising priorities and donor impact through storytelling;
-
Contribute to the strategic direction of the department and advise on and contribute to continuous improvements related to industry best practices.
-
Work toward achieving an agreed upon annual revenue target;
-
All other duties assigned
-
Minimum of 5 years of fundraising experience, preferably in major gifts; or equivalent experience;
-
Proven exceptional donor/client relations experience;
-
Solid understanding of best practices in donor/ client cultivation, closing, acknowledgement, recognition and stewardship;
-
Exceptional active listening skills and excellent attention to detail;
-
Excellent communication skills, oral and written, with the ability to effectively persuade and inspire others to support NCC’s work;
-
Ability to work independently, communicate at all levels with confidence and exercise sound judgment, tact and confidentiality in relation to donors and the general public;
-
Proven ability to develop annual donor plans, set priorities, use planning and analytical skills, complete work with minimal supervision and meet deadlines;
-
Ability to work in a fast paced environment, prioritize and multi task;
-
Strong interpersonal skills and team player with a flexible and helpful attitude and outlook;
-
Experience in use of Raiser’s Edge or other CRM software and general proficiency in the use of MS Office software;
-
French language an asset but not required
Application Deadline
August 30, 2026 | 11:59pm EST, 9:59pm Mountain Time, 8:59pm Pacific Time, 10:50pm CST, 00:59 am +1 AST
At NCC, we're committed to providing a healthy, safe, barrier free and inclusive, workplace, where respect and diversity are recognized assets. We strive for bold conservation achievements in which equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are the norm. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. NCC implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify.
Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, contact us by email at [email protected] to make any required arrangements. If you have questions regarding accessible employment at NCC, please email us at [email protected].
