Job Description
Join the Y Development Team!
Be the Spark! Join our passionate team and be the spark that ignites the potential in others.
YMCA of Southwestern Ontario is one of the largest not-for-profit providers of licensed child care in Canada and delivers impactful health, newcomer, and community programs across the region. We are committed to strengthening communities and providing access for all.
Position: Director, Annual Giving & Community Engagement
Location: Southwestern Ontario (Association-wide) Hybrid with a minimum of one day per week in the office in London, must have the ability to travel to and from branches and events across YSWO including Chatham, Sarnia and St. Thomas.
Start Date: September 2026
Salary: $90,000 - $100,000
As part of your total compensation:
• Complimentary YMCA membership
• Discounts on child care and camp programs
• Vacation and personal days (as per policy)
• Benefits and pension (eligible roles)
• Access to wellness and counselling services
• A caring, supportive, and mission-driven team environment
In this role, you’ll be responsible for:
Leadership & Team Management
• Provide direct leadership to a team, including our Development Officers and Database Administrator
• Coach, mentor, and build capacity across the annual giving team
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and mission-driven culture
• Serve as the primary resource and subject matter expert for annual giving events and initiatives across the Association
• Provide in-person leadership and support at annual giving team events and initiatives in local communities
Annual Giving Strategy & Execution
• Lead and manage the Y’s association-wide annual giving strategy, ensuring alignment across all regions
• Develop and execute annual giving strategies that drive revenue, participation, and community impact
• Oversee project planning, timelines, targets, and performance tracking
• Work closely with the Development Officers to support localized rollout and execution
• Monitor results and continuously optimize campaign effectiveness
Events, Initiatives, & Community Fundraising
• Oversee the strategy, planning, and performance of all fundraising events and initiatives across the Association
• Provide direction and structure for event portfolios while enabling the Development Officers to lead local execution
• Ensure events and initiatives align with annual giving goals, brand standards, and donor engagement strategies
• Identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and increased return on investment
Gift Processing & Database Management
• Provide leadership and direction to the Database Administrator to ensure strong data integrity, effective reporting, and exceptional gift processing and donor management practices
• Use data insights to inform strategy, segmentation, and decision-making, and to create a pipeline of donors for major giving
• Ensure consistent tracking, reporting, and accountability across all annual giving activities
Collaboration & Strategic Alignment
• Partner closely with the VP Development to align annual giving with the broader fundraising strategy
• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications team on positioning, messaging, and asset development for events and initiatives
• Work with internal stakeholders to strengthen the culture of philanthropy across the Association
Education and Skills:
• Post-secondary education in fundraising, business, marketing, or a related field
• 7-10 years of progressive experience in fundraising, with demonstrated success in annual giving or other campaigns
• Proven experience managing staff and leading high-performing teams
• A strong understanding of multi-channel fundraising strategies and donor engagement
• Event planning know-how and experience overseeing fundraising events and community campaigns
• Exceptional project management skills
• Strong analytical skills and comfort working with donor data and reporting systems
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills
• A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Legally entitled to work in Canada
Why The Y?
YMCA of Southwestern Ontario is committed to building healthy communities and creating opportunities for all. Guided by our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and inclusiveness, we offer meaningful work that makes a difference.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
