Director, Community Engagement & Development
Job Summary
- Employer : CHEO Foundation, Ottawa, Ontario
- Type of position: full-time, permanent, hybrid
- Salary range: $120,000 to $132,000
About the CHEO Foundation
CHEO Foundation is the philanthropic arm of CHEO, CHEO Research Institute and Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. For 50 years, the CHEO Foundation has been the link between these respected institutions and the generous community that financially sustains them. CHEO Foundation staff are inspired by donors, and the community, who support pediatric healthcare, cutting-edge research and essential services to ensure children and youth can live their best lives. We are proud to put the interests of kids at the forefront of our decisions and we are intentional in everything we do. We improve by learning from experiences and by being accountable for our outcomes. We take care of ourselves and each other, embrace equity, diversity, inclusivity and indigeneity, and celebrate success as a team.
What We Offer
- Extended Healthcare Benefits
- Defined Benefit Pension (HOOPP)
- Making a Difference in the Lives of Children/Youth
- Competitive Wages
- Flexible Schedules
- Onsite Fitness Centre
- Learning Opportunities
- Inclusive Culture
- Wellness Programs
CHEO's Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The CHEO Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to practices that support Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigeneity.
About the Role
The Director, Community Engagement and Development is responsible for leading the Foundation’s strategy to grow community-driven philanthropy and expand engagement across the regions CHEO serves and nationally. Reporting to the Vice President, Innovation, Corporate & Strategic Partnerships, this role provides strategic leadership for initiatives for a core function with accountability for community engagement outcomes, pipeline development, and revenue contribution.
The Director designs and oversees a comprehensive community engagement strategy that strengthens CHEO’s presence across communities, expands into new markets and segments, and builds a sustainable pipeline of donors and partners aligned with the Foundation’s border fundraising priorities.
This role ensures alignment across community engagement, corporate philanthropy, leadership giving, and major gifts to maximize conversion of engagement into philanthropic investment. The Director represents CHEO Foundation externally with key partners and stakeholders and contributes to cross-functional planning and organizational strategy.
About You
You are a strategic and results-driven fundraising leader with a strong ability to translate community engagement into measurable philanthropic outcomes. You bring experience in building partnerships, leading teams, and developing scalable strategies that drive growth.
You are both a systems thinker and relationship builder, able to operate at a strategic level while enabling teams to deliver results. You are comfortable representing an organization externally and influencing across functions to achieve shared goals.
You bring the ability to develop clear strategies, establish measurable goals, and deliver results in a dynamic and evolving philanthropic landscape.
Primary Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Functional Ownership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive community engagement and fundraising strategy aligned with CHEO Foundation’s strategic priorities and revenue goals.
- Establish clear performance metrics across pipeline development, donor acquisition, engagement conversion and revenue contribution.
- Work collaboratively with Leadership Giving, Major Gifts, and Corporate Philanthropy teams to transition qualified prospects into strategic fundraising portfolios.
Partnerships and External Representation
- Build and steward strategic relationships with community leaders, corporate partners, and key stakeholders.
- Represent CHEO Foundation in external forums to strengthen brand presence and partnership opportunities.
- Position community engagement as a key driver of organizational fundraising success.
- Develop strategies that engage diverse and emerging communities, ensuring community fundraising reflects the communities CHEO serves.
Team Leadership and Capability Building
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, including managers and outreach staff.
- Establish clear goals, accountability structures, and development pathways aligned with organizational priorities.
- Build team capability in engagement, pipeline development, and conversion strategies.
Operations, Data, and Resource Management
- Oversee budgets, resource allocation, and program prioritization across the function.
- Leverage CRM systems and analytics to track performance, inform decisions and strategies, and report on outcomes.
- Ensure effective processes, governance, and operational discipline to support scalable growth.
Qualifications
- Significant years of progressive experience in fundraising, community engagement, partnership development, or nonprofit development, including leadership experience.
- Demonstrated success developing and executing strategies that drive revenue growth and donor acquisition.
- Experience leading teams and managing managers or senior staff responsible for public engagement or fundraising initiatives.
- Proven ability to build and convert donor pipelines across community and corporate sectors.
- Strong strategic planning, financial, and analytical skills with the ability to establish and track performance metrics and KPIs.
- Experience managing budgets and allocating resources across programs.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, including external representation.
- Experience with CRM systems and performance tracking.
- Bilingual (French/English).
Application Process
Please send your resume with a cover letter to apply@cheofoundation.com with the position title in the subject line. Although we appreciate the interest of all candidates, only candidates invited for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls please.
The CHEO Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Should you require any accommodation during the application process please notify Human Resources as per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.