Senior Development Officer, Ontario - CZ

Regular Full Time Specialist 3 CA

Salary Range: $75,000.00 To $95,000.00 Annually

Join our team at the Wilder Institute and Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo and help connect donors with national wildlife conservation impact! We are seeking a permanent, full-time Senior Development Officer, Ontario who will bring their senior fundraising experience to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects in support of the Wilder Institute's purpose, vision, and core values.

Based in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) or Ottawa, the Senior Development Officer serves as a key ambassador for the Wilder Institute. Working as part of the national Development team, the incumbent develops, cultivates, solicits, and stewards relationships with individual donors, corporations and foundations who serve the Ontario region, and community stakeholders through a donor-centric and relationship-driven approach to fundraising.

The Senior Development Officer, Ontario is accountable for achieving ambitious fundraising goals, including securing major gifts and expanding the organization’s network of supporters throughout the province. This role requires a highly motivated and results-oriented professional with a demonstrated ability to engage donors through all stages of the donor cycle. Working remotely, the SDO must collaborate effectively with colleagues, volunteers, board members, and senior leadership across Canada to maximize philanthropic opportunities and advance the Wilder Institute's conservation impact.

Regular travel throughout Ontario and occasional travel to Calgary and other locations across Canada is required.

We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.

Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.

This is a remote opportunity based in either the Greater Toronto Area or Ottawa.

$75,000-$95,000

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $25,000+ that is expected to generate $2M+ in value annually.
• Meet and exceed annual fundraising targets, activity metrics, and performance objectives, including revenue, significant interactions, solicitations, and portfolio size
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects using moves management principles and best practices.
• Maintain a diverse portfolio with a key focus on building relationships with individual prospects and donors. Secondary focus on working with local corporations and foundations who serve the Ontario region.
• Prepare compelling proposals, presentations, gift agreements, impact reports, and stewardship materials tailored to donor interests and giving capacity.
• Ensure timely follow-up and stewardship activities that deepen donor engagement and inspire long-term support.

• Act as a primary representative for the Wilder Institute within the Ontario market.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, prospective donors, Ontario-focused foundations and corporations, community leaders, and other key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-departmental team members and subject matter experts and, where appropriate, board members, volunteers, and executives to advance donor strategies and fundraising objectives.
• Increase awareness and visibility of the Wilder Institute's conservation impact and philanthropic opportunities throughout Ontario.
• Represent the organization at networking events, donor meetings, stewardship opportunities, and community engagements.

• Develop and implement a regional fundraising and engagement strategy, including annual travel/engagement plans aligned with organizational priorities in close consultation with the Senior Manager, Philanthropy and Partnerships.
• Research, identify, and prioritize major gift prospects in collaboration with the central Development team.
• Support national corporate, foundation, and government fundraising efforts by providing regional expertise and relationship management when required.
• Partner closely with colleagues…