Director of Communications and Fund Development (Parental Leave Cover)

Summary

Action Canada seeks a strategic leader with a track record of developing and implementing strategy in fundraising and/or communications within the non-profit sector, to join us for an 18-month parental leave contract.

Description

Who We Are

Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights is a progressive, pro-choice charitable organization committed to advancing and upholding sexual and reproductive rights in Canada and globally. To achieve our mission, Action Canada engages in health promotion, legal and policy advocacy, campaigns, and movement-building.

We believe in a world where every person controls their sexuality, reproduction, gender expression, and health. In our fight for sexual and reproductive rights for all, Action Canada challenges the systems that create unequal access to information, health care, and rights.

For more information, visit actioncanadashr.org. 

Who You Are

You are a strategic leader with a track record of developing and implementing strategy in fundraising and/or communications within the non-profit sector. You have experience in individual fundraising, applying current best practice and analytics to develop an organization’s individual giving program. You possess a deep understanding of the power of marketing and messaging to reach a broad range of audiences. You actively apply anti-racist and anti-oppression principles and practices to your work, including to the development of communications and fundraising strategies. You have successfully supervised staff in previous roles.

Position Overview

Action Canada is seeking a Director of Communications and Fund Development to lead the Fundraising and Communications teams for 18 months (parental leave cover).

The Director of Communications and Fund Development develops and leads the execution of multi-pronged fundraising and communications strategies and is responsible for identifying appropriate tools to reach multiple audiences. The Director leads a team that coordinates and executes on all individual giving projects, including direct response, major gifts, and monthly giving, as well as a team that coordinates and executes on all external communications, including website and digital outreach, social media, and traditional media. The Director is responsible for overseeing all fundraising activities (other than grants) and all external communications at Action Canada. In 2024, Action Canada will celebrate its 10-year anniversary. The Director of Communications and Fund Development will lead on developing a campaign and events to mark this moment.

As part of the senior management team at Action Canada, the Director of Communications and Fund Development joins five other directors and the Executive Director in supervising the staff team and providing strategic leadership for the organization. This position reports to the Executive Director.

Essential Job Functions

• Develops strategy and establishes objectives and goals for the Fundraising and Communications teams;
• Supervises, directs, and coaches all members of the Fundraising and Communications teams, including administering the full cycle of the performance management framework;
• Ensures alignment between team workplans and goals, and the organization-level workplan and strategic plan;
• Develops and oversees budgets specific to the Fundraising and Communications teams;
• Evaluates and evolves current fundraising programs, with a focus on retention and growth;
• Identifies new opportunities for funding from individuals, including major donors and foundations;
• Monitors results and identifies and implements ways to deliver improved outcomes;
• Develops and maintains relationships with external stakeholders, builds alliances with other organizations, and represents Action Canada in various spaces;
• Independently and collaboratively writes grant proposals, cases for support and other fund development materials;
• Oversees alignment and compliance with the organization’s brand standards in all communications;
• Collaborates with the Executive Director and the management team to identify opportunities for continuous improvement in organizational processes and collaboration, advancement of the strategic goals of the organization, and implementation of ARAO principles and practices in Action Canada’s internal and external work;
• Collaborates with other teams and Directors to identify opportunities for public outreach and engagement and fundraising;
• Other duties as may be assigned by the Employer.

Qualifications

• Degree, diploma, or equivalent experience in a related field, such as Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or Fundraising.
• Minimum of five years’ progressive experience in Fundraising or Communications, or similar area of work, preferably in the not-for-profit and/or charitable sector;
• Minimum of two years’ management/supervisory experience;
• Proven leadership in developing fundraising and/or communications strategies;
• Understanding of best practices in individual giving, including direct response, major gifts, and donor cultivation;
• Understanding of marketing, communications, and organizational messaging to reach a broad range of audiences
• Superior interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to build and foster solid relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, donors, and funders;
• Strong project management skills;
• Strong decision-making skills and effective goal setting;
• Strong English-language writing and editing skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook);
• Knowledge, understanding, and commitment to reproductive rights and a person’s right to determine their own reproductive choices, anti-racism and anti-oppression, feminist policy and practice, and the mission and values of Action Canada;
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression principles and practices;
• English/French bilingualism is a strong asset;
• Eligible to work in Canada.

Hours, Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, salaried position (37.5 hours per week). This is a parental leave cover, for a contract of 18 months beginning in September 2023 and continuing to March 2025 (exact end date to be determined).

The salary for this position is $90,000 per annum. Action Canada also provides a generous benefits program, including extended health and dental benefits and RRSP contributions, vacation entitlements (3 weeks in your first year, and a 2-week closure over the winter holidays), and other leave (sick days and family responsibility leave).

Location 

Action Canada’s offices are based in Ottawa, Ontario; however, some staff members work in other locations under a remote work agreement. Action Canada will prioritize hiring candidates based in Ottawa but will consider applications from candidates within Ontario. All candidates must be legally able to work in Canada.

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How to Apply:

Hiring Process and Timeline

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted no later than July 7, 2023. Interviews will take place between July 5 and 14 with a projected start date of September 5, 2023.

The hiring process will include a panel interview to take place over video conference, and may include a second interview or a skills test.

Action Canada is committed to working within an anti-racism and anti-oppression framework and dismantling the white supremacy inherent to the SRHR movement. We are explicitly inviting women and gender diverse members of Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities to apply and self-identify in your cover letter. We welcome applications from people living with disabilities; please let us know if you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process or to undertake the position.

At this time, the majority of staff at Action Canada are working from home. The successful candidate will have the option of working from the Action Canada office in downtown Ottawa, or working from home. The interview and on-boarding process will occur remotely.

We thank all applicants in advance; however, only those invited for an interview will be contacted.