Donor Relations Lead

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Donor Relations, the Donor Relations Lead is responsible for driving Women Building Futures’ fundraising efforts by securing and stewarding values-aligned relationships that support the organization’s strategic plan and funding priorities. This role will focus on developing and implementing fund development strategies to meet ongoing and emerging financial needs and as a result - help WBF diversify their funding sources.

The Donor Relations portfolio is an exciting component of WBF’s impact. It oversees the critical funding from community investments to individual donations to growth partnerships that enable our organization to grow our impact.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Develop and implement comprehensive plans to identify and cultivate relationships with potential donors, sponsors and partners.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with existing and new donors, including foundations, CSR-related staff in corporations and individuals, ensuring alignment with WBF’s mission.
- Create briefing documents and cases for support to ensure internal alignment and effective communication.
- Research and identify new funding opportunities through diverse channels.
- Develop budgets and activation plans for new fundraising initiatives in collaboration with other WBF departments.
- Collaborate with the Senior Manager and other WBF staff to ensure smooth operations, data collection and fulfillment of partnership deliverables.
- Ensure timely receipt of donations and funding from partners.
- Foster strong internal communication across the organization, sharing updates on funding priorities and tracking progress.
- Expand and maintain a network of donors and partners across various sectors.
- Represent WBF at external events, confidently articulating the organization’s impact, strategy, and ways to support WBF.
- Remain up to date on trends and policy related to philanthropy and help elevate the organization’s capacity in this area.

**Skills & Abilities**
- High level of personal integrity and commitment to WBF’s mission and values.
- Strong relationship-building skills, with a focus on nurturing a network of donors and partners.
- Adaptability in a dynamic and changing environment.
- Knowledgeable about philanthropic work
- Excellent public relations skills, with strong communication and public speaking abilities.
- Proficiency in grant writing and proposal development.
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, including tact and diplomacy, to work effectively with diverse groups.
- Comfort working as part of a remote team most of the time.
- Experience in developing best practices and continuously improving donor stewardship processes.
- Knowledge of fundraising software and donor databases (e.g. Raiser’s Edge).
- Passion for WBF’s values and culture, with a commitment to continuous learning and creating inclusive workplaces.

**Education & Experience**
- Degree or Diploma in a related field or equivalent experience (e.g.+ fund development, business, marketing, communications, public relations, social sciences).
- Minimum of five years of experience in fundraising, donor activation, recognition and stewardship.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
- Flexibility to address challenges faced by industry partners, sometimes outside of business hours.
- Awareness of the challenges faced by women in non-traditional roles and the barriers to adult learning and employment.
- Experience working with industry or familiarity with skilled trades an asset
- Strong organizational, project management, and resource management skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience with donor management software, such as Raiser’s Edge, is an asset.