TEAM OVERVIEW

POSITION SUMMARY

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of a multi-year planned giving strategy aligned with fundraising and campaign priorities.
• Assume accountability for program performance, growth and sustainability, including annual plans, objectives and key performance indicators.
• Strengthen planned giving policies, processes and practices with Foundation leadership and Finance.
• Advise leadership on donor trends, emerging opportunities, risks and long-term legacy revenue.
• Lead planned giving marketing and donor engagement strategy.

• Independently manage a portfolio of prospective and confirmed legacy donors, accountable for cultivation, solicitation and documented commitments.
• Lead sensitive discussions involving estate intentions, family circumstances, philanthropic priorities and deferred giving.
• Develop individualized engagement strategies from identification through long-term stewardship.
• Partner with Major Gifts on blended current and future giving opportunities.
• Prepare sophisticated donor proposals in collaboration with qualified legal, financial and tax advisors.
• Exercise judgment on cultivation priorities and escalation of complex donor matters.

• Lead development and management of the Foundation’s legacy recognition and stewardship program.
• Establish personalized engagement for confirmed legacy donors.
• Strengthen retention, documentation of intentions and continued philanthropic involvement.
• Oversee legacy communications, recognition, impact reporting and events.
• Guide sensitive donor and family communications involving bereavement and estate matters.

• Build a strategic network of estate lawyers, financial planners, accountants, estate trustees and other professional advisors.
• Represent the Foundation in complex donor and advisor discussions.
• Develop referral relationships and advisor education initiatives.
• Collaborate with external specialists to ensure appropriate advice and organizational risk management.

• Oversee coordination of the estate gift pipeline, including beneficiary notices, anticipated distributions and outstanding matters.
• Work with Finance and external legal representatives to monitor administration, support timely distributions and escalate issues.
• Establish reliable estate tracking and forecasting processes for financial planning.
• Assess anticipated estate revenues, timing and risks, providing projections to leadership.
• Ensure accurate, confidential records and consistent follow-up.

• Serve as the internal planned giving subject matter resource for fundraising colleagues.
• Integrate legacy giving into donor strategies, campaigns and philanthropic proposals.
• Develop training and practical resources to help colleagues identify and initiate planned giving conversations.
• Collaborate with hospital leaders on long-term clinical funding priorities.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives involving Development, Marketing, Stewardship and Finance.

• Establish and monitor metrics for qualified prospects, engagement, documented intentions, confirmed commitments and estate revenue.
• Oversee planned giving data quality in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT.
• Produce analysis and forecasts on pipeline strength, performance, opportunities and risks.
• Recommend improvements and inform leadership decisions on priorities and resources.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum five to seven years of progressive experience in fundraising, planned giving, major gifts, estate administration or related relationship management.
• Experience independently managing significant donor relationships and complex philanthropic opportunities.
• Demonstrated success developing fundraising strategies and delivering measurable results.
• Strong working knowledge of planned giving vehicles, estate administration and charitable gift planning.
• Experience with legal, financial and estate planning professionals.

• Hospital foundation or health care experience is an asset; CFRE or specialized planned giving education is an asset.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strategic thinking, independent judgment and accountability for program outcomes.
• Advanced relationship management and solicitation skills.
• Understanding of charitable gift planning, estate administration and deferred gift financial implications.
• Ability to advise senior leaders and collaborate with professional advisors.
• Excellent communication, analytical, forecasting and reporting capabilities.
• Exceptional discretion, ethical judgment and donor confidentiality.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects independently.
• Proficiency with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT and related tools.

PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS

• Foundation-wide staff: Development/Major Gifts, Annual Giving, Communications, Finance, Stewardship, and Leadership
• Hospital-wide partners including Clinical Leads, Physicians, and Executive Leadership
• Professional advisors (e.g., estate lawyers, financial planners, accountants, estate trustees)
• Legacy prospective donors, confirmed legacy donors, and donor families

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Flexibility for occasional evening and weekend commitments.
• Valid driver’s licence and reliable transportation for local donor visits.
• Police background check.
• Commitment to WRHN Foundation’s mission, vision and values.
• Close access to Kitchener-Waterloo

WHAT WE OFFER

• Salary Range: The target hiring range for this role is $86,700 to $102,000, with ability to progress commensurate with experience and success.
• Work Culture: Hybrid and flexible work environment, with a minimum of two days per week in the office to support collaboration, team engagement and organizational connection.
• Purpose: Opportunity to lead a strategic program with a lasting impact on regional health care.
• Growth: This position offers an experienced fundraising professional the autonomy to shape a critical component of the Foundation’s long-term philanthropic strategy, influence organizational fundraising practices and build a lasting legacy of support for local health care.

WRHN Foundation Values

• Trust
• Transparency
• Collaboration
• Innovation
• Excellence