Manager, Strategic Initiatives

**Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre**

**Manager, Strategic Initiatives (MSI)**

**(1 year -Contract-August 2025-August 2026)**

**Reports to**:Assistant Executive Director

**Purpose of Job**:
The goal of this non-traditional development role is to cultivate new relationships, manage projects to deepen and broaden our impact, while leveraging existing partnerships and an entrepreneurial mindset to ultimately ensure that Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre (WNC) can best serve our community.

**Primary Function**:
The Manager of Strategic Initiatives (MSI) will coordinate, lead and oversee projects, initiatives and daily activities, and is responsible for identifying opportunities, advising on strategy, grant proposal development, recommending solutions, implementing project plans, fostering external partnerships and responding to the objectives and priorities of WNC.

**Hours per week**:35 (Full-Time) **Wage Grade**:4.5 (Non-union)

**Position Summary**:
The MSI is responsible for resource development and project management from planning to implementation, and monitoring of special and community partnership projects, to ensure the objectives of WNC are carried out efficiently and effectively. The MSI will work directly with the Executive Director and Assistant Executive Director to drive the development and management of both new and existing organization-wide fundraising campaigns, projects, partnerships, and initiatives. The MSI will work with staff, volunteers, students and community members across the organization to ensure that a variety of perspectives are well-represented in the development of new initiatives. The MSI will supervise all staff, volunteers and placement students of special and community partnership projects.

**Major Responsibilities**:
**Strategic Planning**
- Work closely with the Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, Fundraising Committee, existing donors and other key stakeholders to develop and manage a Fundraising Plan to support organizational objectives
- Strategically identify, build, establish and maintain relationships with funders, civic stakeholders, public systems, community groups, and corporate leaders
- Implements detailed plans and recommends policies/procedures regarding program specific requirements
- Provides input into and administers assigned budget, ensuring that expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations

**Resource Development**
- Create a compelling “Case for Support” and use this to secure major gifts, write proposals, secure grants and develop appeals
- Identify, research, cultivate and solicit new major gift donors
- Engage existing donors by inspiring them to get involved in the fundraising goal
- Arrange and attend strategic meetings between the Executive Director & Assistant Executive Director and prospective donors as required
- Identify board members and existing donors willing to help meet the Fundraising Goal, and support their efforts by preparing materials and attending meetings
- Prepare an annual fundraising budget, monitor expenses, and support financial audits as needed
- Periodically deliver progress reports directly to the Board and the Fundraising Committee
- Ensures continual monitoring of the Centre's fundraising initiatives progress to ensure that goals and objectives are being achieved and that accountability standards for resource development are met
- Oversees the administrative and daily operations of resource development at WNC by ensuring compliance with agency, City, contract and other revenue or special events policies and regulations
- Maintains up to date knowledge of current research, legislation, and ethical/best practices pertaining to resource development
- Develop and maintain a creative and warm donor stewardship culture within WNC

**Project Management**
- Provide project focused support to WNC's Executive Director & Assistant Executive Director to help advance organizational strategic goals and objectives
- Evaluates, prepares materials, and develops business development presentation
- Makes presentations to the agency's Committees and Board of Management relating to fundraising initiatives and special projects as required
- Develop and maintain Memorandums of Understanding with government agencies, community, and philanthropic institutions in support of ongoing projects
- Develop and manage accountability and project management tools to ensure goals are met

**Marketing & Communications**
- Prepares business plans, develops and executes marketing plans, writes solicitation proposals, reports, press releases and communication materials to attract commercial events, as well as identify, research, cultivate and solicit new major gift donors
- Works closely with the Assistant Executive Director and IT contractor to maintain the fundraising elements of WNC’s web site and database, including creating, implementing and tracking donor communication strategies, including the spring, fal