Associate Director Gift and Estate Planning

Overview

St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation inspires philanthropy to support the delivery of extraordinary care close to home. Our vision is to transform St. Joe’s as a leading community academic hospital that meets the needs of Toronto’s west end now and for future generations. With a growing and aging population, our Home of Extraordinary campaign represents the largest healthcare transformation in the west end, creating a unique opportunity for donors to leave a meaningful legacy that shapes the future of care.

Phisilanthropy at the Foundation is rooted in values, trust, and relationships. Donors, volunteers, and community members are at the heart of our work, and every gift is an opportunity to impact patients’ lives profoundly.

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Gift & Estate Planning provides strategic leadership for the Foundation’s planned giving program and serves as a trusted technical expert in gift and estate planning. The role leads the design and execution of the legacy giving strategy for our current Home of Extraordinary campaign, while also stewarding and growing a sustainable, long-term planned giving program beyond the campaign.

The Associate Director combines hands-on donor engagement with high-level strategic leadership. The majority of this role is donor-facing, cultivating and stewarding relationships with legacy donors, prospects, and professional advisors. Success is measured by the growth of legacy expectancies, pipeline health, donor engagement, and the contribution of legacy giving to both campaign and long-term fundraising goals.

Time-bound responsibilities tied to the current campaign:

• Legacy Campaign Strategy & Integration
  • Lead the legacy campaign strategy in collaboration with the Vice President, Development and Senior Leadership Team, aligning priorities, messaging, and activation timelines with the broader campaign.
  • Identify and activate opportunities to integrate legacy giving across all campaign pillars, ensuring consistent and compelling messaging for donors, volunteers, and staff.
  • Advise senior leadership on campaign positioning, best practices, and activation strategies specific to legacy giving within a comprehensive campaign environment.
  • Design and implement a Legacy Expectancy Challenge to inspire new commitments, broaden donor participation, and accelerate campaign momentum.
  • Serve as an ambassador for legacy giving during the campaign, building awareness, credibility, and trust across the community.
• Legacy Campaign Volunteer Leadership
  • Lead the evolution of the Advisor Council into a Legacy Campaign Committee, recruiting values-aligned volunteer leaders to support campaign goals.
  • Equip and support volunteers to participate in peer-to-peer outreach, donor conversations, and campaign activities related to legacy giving.
  • Partner with campaign leadership to align volunteer engagement with key milestones and fundraising priorities.

Evergreen Responsibilities That Extend Beyond The Campaign

• Legacy Giving Program Leadership & Technical Expertise
  • Serve as the Foundation’s internal subject matter expert on planned giving vehicles, including bequests, life insurance, securities, annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and blended giving strategies.
  • Guide donors and their professional advisors (lawyers, accountants, financial planners) through complex estate and legacy planning discussions with integrity, clarity, and compassion.
  • Ensure all planned gifts comply with Foundation policies, legal requirements, and regulatory standards.
  • Mentor and coach Foundation staff, volunteers, and major gift colleagues to build organizational fluency and confidence in legacy giving conversations.

Donor Engagement, Solicitation & Stewardship

• Maintain and manage a portfolio of planned giving, intermediate, and major gift donors, with significant time dedicated to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Identify and advance opportunities for blended giving, linking legacy commitments with current gifts or pledges to maximize donor impact and engagement.
• Collaborate with Communications and Donor Engagement teams to ensure legacy donors are recognized and stewarded…