Development Manager

Position
: Manager, Development

Reports to
: Director, Development & Communications

Start Date
: Immediate

About The Stop

From our origins as one of Canada's first food banks in the 1980's, The Stop has blossomed into a thriving community hub where neighbours participate in a broad range of programs that provide healthy food, foster social connections, build food skills, and promote civic engagement. We believe that nutritious, sustainable, and culturally appropriate food is a human right for all.

At The Stop, we hire people who are passionate, dedicated and love what they do. We have a mindset of community support and a culture of collaboration, passion and dedication. Our goal is to deliver, both to our community and to our employees. We are excited to foster an environment that allows people to meet challenges and provides the opportunity to make an impact on the community within which we operate.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Director of Development and Communications, the Development Manager is a leadership role within our fundraising team. You'll provide strategic oversight of our fundraising efforts, directly manage a portfolio of major donors and corporate partners, and guide the success of our foundation and individual giving programs.

You'll also lead and mentor a team of Development Officers, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth. Acting as a bridge between our programs and fundraising teams, you'll ensure that our donor relationships are fueled by authentic, compelling stories of impact.

If you're a seasoned fundraiser who can lead every stage of the donor cycle, inspire high-performing teams, and balance strategic vision with hands-on portfolio management, The Stop is looking for you. In this role, you'll get a chance to influence systemic change and tackle one of our city's most pressing challenges: food insecurity. And because building community is at the heart of our work, you'll share daily chef-prepared lunches with colleagues as part of living our mission together.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Collaborate with the Director to refine and execute The Stop's fundraising strategy in alignment with our mission and values.
• Identify new opportunities to diversify revenue streams and deepen donor engagement.
• Establish best practices, policies, and procedures that ensure ethical, effective fundraising.

Major Gifts & Portfolio Management

• Personally manage a portfolio of 75–90 donors, securing gifts of $5,000+ through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Build strong pipelines between mid-level and major giving, ensuring donor relationships progress smoothly.
• Partner with program staff to develop proposals, reports, and impact stories tailored to donor interests.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage and mentor two Development Officers, providing guidance, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Lead regular team meetings, set clear performance goals, and celebrate successes.
• Foster a supportive, high-performance culture that empowers staff to exceed fundraising targets.

Organizational Impact & Representation

• Serve on the organization's management team, contributing to strategic planning.
• Represent The Stop at events and meetings, strengthening relationships with donors, partners, and community leaders.
• Raise awareness of poverty, social justice, and food insecurity issues among internal and external audiences.

Data & Compliance

• Oversee accurate donor record management in our CRM (Virtuous), ensuring data integrity.
• Track, analyze, and report on fundraising activities and outcomes for senior leadership and the Board.
• Ensure all fundraising activities comply with CRA regulations and Imagine Canada standards.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in securing major gifts ($5,000+), with experience managing all levels of a donor portfolio.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in fundraising, including team management and mentorship.
• Strategic thinker with strong foresight, problem-solving skills, and the ability to spot and seize opportunities.
• Exceptional relationship-builder with clear, persuasive communication skills and the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences.
• Experience managing individual giving programs and corporate/foundation partnerships.
• Proficiency with fundraising CRMs (Virtuous an asset) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Commitment to anti-racism/anti-oppression, ethical fundraising, and community well-being.
• Knowledge of the Canadian charitable sector and CRA compliance requirements.

Why Join The Stop?

• Impact:
  Your work will directly help provide over 500 fresh, nutritious meals daily to those who need them most.
• Collaboration:
  Join a passionate, supportive team committed to social justice.
• Growth:
  Lead high-profile fundraising initiatives while mentoring the next generation of fundraisers.

We celebrate our inclusive work environment and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply. If you are doubting that you have all of the skills and qualifications outlined within this posting, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may have skills or experience that are relevant that we didn't previously consider.

• Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and résumé using the Bamboo submission tab. The position will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and selected individuals will be invited first to participate in a video or telephone interview and then, if successful, in one or two in-person interviews. We may seek further assessment of your skills through your completed response to a relevant case study. In our commitment to being an equal opportunity employer, we are happy to provide reasonable accommodations for the role and within the interview process. If you require any accommodations during this process, please don't hesitate to reach out.