KCI Search + Talent has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of the Wolf Cooper Foundation. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Ellie Rusonik, Senior Vice President/Practice Lead, or Meredith Roberts, Senior Search Consultant KCI Search + Talent by email at WCF@kcitalent.com.
Interested candidates should send their resume and a letter of interest to the email address listed above by November 27, 2025. All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence.
The Role & Organization
Wolf Scholars is Canada's new pre-eminent undergraduate scholarship program focused on developing Canada’s next generation of innovators, builders, and leaders.
Every year, Wolf Scholars will bring together 16 exceptional incoming undergraduates studying a range of disciplines in the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts & Science. Wolf Scholars will receive a full academic ride, participate in a joint academic seminar at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, travel domestically and internationally, learn from valuable internships and career training, and participate in a leadership development curriculum that will stay with them for life.
We're seeking an energetic, organized, and entrepreneurial individual who is excited about the opportunity to build a high-impact program from the ground up with a passionate team! The Wolf Scholars team is supported by a world-class Advisory board of top Canadian business and not-for-profit leaders.
The Director of Development will report to the Executive Director and serve as the Foundation's fundraising lead. This role will oversee all philanthropy and fundraising operatiosn and will build and manage their own donor portfolio to encourage outright, planned, and blended gifts. In support of the annual Wolf Scholars Tribute Event, the incumbent will lead the sponsorship program and manage event production and execution.
The Director will work in collaboration and partnership with an Advisory Board of top Canadian business and nonprofit leader to identify prospective donors and supports; establish donor engagement strategies; and support the senior leadership volunteers in the cultivation, soliciation and stewardship of key donors.
The ideal candidate will be personable, confident, creative, and nimble, with a strong track record in major gift development who can effectively straddle both strategy and operations to drive fundraising success. The Director will be adept at working in a fast-paced environment, and comfortable being accountable for ambitious fundraising goals.
To support the launch of the Foundation, Ted Garrard, C.M. of West Shore Consulting, ahs been engaged by the Foundation to provide strategic guidance and support developing fundraising infrastructure, policies, and prospect pipelines. The Director will have the opportunity to work with and benefit from Ted’s support during onboarding and the first few months in the role.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as fundraising strategist and an operational leader for the Foundation, in collaboration with the Executive Director and Board Chair.
- Develop short- and long-term fundraising strategies, including setting, tracking, and assessing multiyear plans and goals that align with the Foundation’s priorities and needs.
- Develop donor acquisition, retention, and migration strategies for WCF donors with a focus on major gifts in the $10,000 to $1 million + range.
- Manage a personal portfolio of high-value prospects and donors. + Oversee all proposal development for prospective donors.
- Establish and oversee a comprehensive donor experience and stewardship program providing the highest standard of accountability and recognition.
- Lead the sponsorship program and related fundraising activities for the annual Wolf Scholars Tribute event and work in partnership with third party logistics vendor on event production and execution.
- Support the development of annual budgets and business plans to achieve the program objectives and assess progress.
- Work collaboratively with the Executive Director to ensure all business, fiduciary and legal responsibilities pertaining to fundraising are met.
- Provide oversight and support of funding agreements, the distribution of tax receipts, and corresponding acknowledgement letters on an ongoing basis; ensure that all prospect and donor records are well managed.
- Represent WCF in the community, at events, and with partners in a manner that supports increased awareness.
- Maintain knowledge of best practices and trends around philanthropy.
Qualifications and Competencies
- Progressive fundraising experience with a specific focus on soliciting major gifts (at the five-figure level and above).
- Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to engage, inspire, build, and sustain strong collaborative working relationships across diverse groups, including students, senior volunteers, colleagues, as well as with existing and prospective donors.
- Experience developing proposals with the ability to tailor to the specific interests of major donors and advocate passionately for the Wolf Scholars program.
- Strong project management skills including managing budgets and financial reports, multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Ability to work in a team-oriented environment, collaborating with other stakeholders within the University and the broader community.
- Understanding of prospect research and use of data to identify donor prospects.
- Knowledge of event planning and coordination principles and practices.
- Proficiency with fundraising CRM systems and maintaining donor records; experience onboarding new technologies is an asset.
- Reputation for a high degree of integrity and trustworthiness and exemplary judgement.
- Highly organized and accurate with excellent attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to solve problems and manage a variety of complex projects concurrently to a high standard of excellence.
- A persuasive, credible, and polished communicator with ability to effectively and passionately communicate with a wide variety of audiences both orally and in writing.
- Creative, flexible and able to handle complexity and ambiguity.
- Results-driven, hard-working and focused on continuous improvement.
- Maintains knowledge of philanthropic trends with the ability to put into practice.
- Proficiency in French is an asset.
- A bachelor’s degree or higher.
- A professional designation such as CRFE is an asset.
- Flexible availability to work variable hours as needed for donor meetings and events.
Additional Employment Details
- Reports to: Executive Director, Margot Ghersin
- Working: Hybrid in downtown Toronto, Canada
- Salary Range: $125,000-135,000 CAD annually, plus performance-based incentive of up to 10%
- Ideal Start Date: As soon as possible
- Eligibility: Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada
- Benefits: Generous paid time off, extensive benefits package, and exceptional networking & growth opportunities through exposure to top Canadian leaders through the Foundation’s Board
