senior officer, estates and legacy guidance

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 plan (HOOPP)
• Making a difference in the lives of children/youth
• Competitive wages
• Flexible schedules
• Onsite fitness centre
• Learning opportunities
• Inclusive culture
• Wellness programs

About the Role

As a key member of the Philanthropy team, the Senior Officer, Estates and Legacy Giving, working with the Director, Estates and Legacy Guidance, leads the growth, stewardship, and strategic management of the Foundation's legacy giving portfolio.

You will be responsible for identifying and cultivating legacy and planned giving prospects, stewarding long-term donor relationships, and engaging professional advisors and partners to grow the Foundation's future giving pipeline. You will analyze data, design engagement strategies, and collaborate across teams to ensure donors experience meaningful and inclusive relationships that reflect the CHEO Foundation's mission and values.

This role balances independent leadership of projects and portfolios with collaboration across Philanthropy, Communications, and Stewardship teams, contributing to the overall fundraising strategy.

About you

You are a strategic relationship builder who blends compassion with financial and analytical acumen. You understand that effective legacy giving combines trust, timing, and technical understanding and you have the judgment to navigate complex conversations with professionalism and empathy.You are energized by collaboration, thrive in a dynamic environment, and are motivated by the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy for children, youth, and families.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a portfolio of planned giving and legacy donors and prospects
• In partnership with the Director, develop and execute annual and multi-year plans for growing the legacy giving portfolio, including performance targets and metrics
• Design and implement engagement strategies that reflect donors' values and align with Foundation priorities
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for donors considering bequests, gifts of insurance, or other planned giving vehicles
• Collaborate with professional advisors (lawyers, accountants, financial planners) to facilitate complex gift arrangements
• Engage in face-to-face meetings to deliver a relationship approach to fundraising for CHEO partner priorities, creating an active donor pipeline
• Seek out new and creative ways of connecting with new legacy prospects in the community, including collaboration and coaching of other Foundation staff
• Analyze donor data and pipeline trends to inform decision making and report on portfolio performance and ROI
• Play a supportive role in the ongoing stewardship of legacy, major gift and annual donors
• Seek continual improvement and stay on top of gift planning trends and tax/law changes by actively participating in professional development associations such as CAGP or Ottawa Estate Planning Council
• In collaboration with integral internal departments at the Foundation, analyze and seek evidence-informed pathways to drive for growth within the portfolio

Qualifications

• Bilingual (English and French) preferred.
• Post-secondary education or equivalent experience in fundraising, or a related field
• Strong background and experience in legacy/planned giving, fundraising and donor relations
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, and writing skills; comfort discussing complex or sensitive topics
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to connect with donors in an authentic manner
• CAGP membership holder, completion of the Original Gift Planning Course is an asset
• Ability to work in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Proficiency in CRM systems (Raiser's Edge preferred), Office 365, and data analysis tools

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00-$82,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Vision care
• Work from home

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ottawa, ON K1H 8M8