Vice President Development and Communications

Vice President, Development and Communications Development and Communications Kitchener, Ontario Department: Development and communications Employment Type: Full-time, hybrid Minimum Experience: Executive Level Job Purpose The Vice President, Development & Communications plays a key leadership role in our organization, responsible for driving fundraising initiatives, cultivating relationships with stakeholders, and overseeing strategic communications efforts. This position currently has 5 direct reports and reports directly to the CEO and collaborates closely with senior leadership to advance the organization’s mission and goals. Responsibilities and Duties DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES EXAMPLES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO: Note – specific examples to be defined within annual workplan and may vary year to year Executing strategy and integrated approach to partnership development, engagement, and fundraising functions of the organization. Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure financial support from individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, and government agencies. Lead major git cultivation and stewardship efforts, including prospect research, donor cultivation events, and personalized outreach strategies. Collaborate with the finance team to ensure accurate tracking and reporting on fundraising initiatives. Stakeholder Relations and Engagement Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, sponsors, volunteers and community partners. Represent the organization at events, conferences, and meetings to enhance visibility and support. Build partnerships with other organizations and community leaders. Strategic Communications Develop and implement a cohesive communications strategy that enhances the organization’s brand, visibility, and public image. Oversee the creation of compelling content for various channels, including press releases, newsletters, social media, website, and marketing materials Ensure consistency and alignment of messaging with the organizations mission, values, and strategic priorities Pursuing fundraising opportunities that will enhance and diversify the organization’s annual fundraising plans. Identifying, preparing, soliciting, and submitting inquiries, applications, proposals, and reports for corporate and foundation funding in partnership with staff, and develop and monitor the grants. Working in partnership with staff to engage, cultivate, and steward existing and new initiatives. Overseeing the direction and scope of work for the marketing and communications team ensuring an integrated approach with fundraising. Working with the Manager, Marketing & Communications, develop, coordinate, and implement an integrated marketing and communication strategies for public relations, media relations, social media presence, online giving, digital communications, messaging, outreach, storytelling, and branding. Ensuring all communications and marketing are consistently on brand. Act as a strategic leadership partner to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you help to drive strategic decisions and projects that support the long-term success of the organization, ensuring operational excellence. Provide leadership in the absence of the CEO Managing, coaching and mentoring a team of 5 direct reports: Manager, Individual Giving (2 reports) Manager, Marketing & Communications (2 reports) Community Events Manager (5 reports) Major Gifts Officer Development Officer, Grants & Foundations Assigning and delegating responsibility for work throughout the fiscal year through development of annual workplans. Participating in team and staff activities, with responsibility to present donor development updates, campaign summaries, and lunch ‘n learn presentations based on professional development opportunities. Other Duties as assigned The short-term priorities of this role may change as priorities of The Food Bank and will be detailed in the annual work plan and strategic plan. Location and Hours The Food Bank of Waterloo Region is located at 50 Alpine Court in Kitchener, Ontario. The role is hybrid working 3 days in the office each work week. Hours of work are generally between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., for 40 hours per week (inclusive of 1 hour paid lunch each day). To meet the objectives of The Food Bank and commitments to our volunteers, members, and community, some irregular hours may be required. This may include two evenings a week and/or two weekends a month. Reporting Structure and Working Relationships The Vice President, Development and Communications reports to the CEO. This role is a key leadership role, oversees 5 direct reports and provides strategic leadership. A significant amount of time in this role is spent executing strategy to support the organization’s fundraising requirements and building relationships with key stakeholders. The role often collaborates with other teams at The Food Bank to meet objectives and commitments. Qualifications EXPERIENCE AND ASSETS EDUCATION 10+ years’ experience in management/leadership role with demonstrated success in business development, preferably in a not-for profit organization, foundation or higher educational institution. Strong administrative skills including planning and evaluation, budgeting, scheduling, project management, personnel management and assessment. Experience managing staff, financial resources and implementing related operational control and reporting systems. An understanding of digital/online engagement tools and platforms and the associated analytics with the ability to report and make recommendations using this data. Demonstrated ability to maintain and build consensus through collaboration. A record of progressive accomplishment in business development and/or fundraising. Personal attributes include strategic and integrative thinking, vision, innovation and entrepreneurship; an engaging, consensual leadership style; superior communications and relationship management skills. Experience working with various levels of government. An undergraduate and/or professional degree or relevant designations are preferred but other backgrounds/credentials will be considered. Knowledge of the principles and practices associated with fundraising including Donor Bill of Rights and Fundraising Code of Ethics. Required Work Capacities (Skills and Abilities) PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND COGNITIVE DEMANDS Minor bending, twisting of back and neck. 80% desk or computer work including meetings. 20% standing or walking on concrete surfaces. Minimal lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling from/to floor and from/to/above shoulder. Some sustained or awkward positioning. Sustained activities requiring far, near vision, computer screens, speaking and hearing. Physical environment: indoors, shared office space with some exposure to warehouse (some heat/cold exposure). Relationship and network building. Teamwork and supervision of others. Working closely with colleagues and management. Working closely with the public, clients, or volunteers. Attention to detail, sound judgment and organization ability. Adaptability, time management, initiative, conflict resolution and problem solving. Ability to meet tight and frequent deadlines. The Food Bank’s Core Competencies COMMUNICATION You consider everyone (inside/outside the organization) with dignity and respect. You articulate thoughts and express ideas effectively using oral, written, visual, and non-verbal communication skills. You listen (twice) to gain understanding before speaking or acting. You convey information in a professional, precise, and easy-to-understand manner for others. DECISION MAKING/DECISIVENESS You gather and evaluate information that leads to smart decisions. You make and take responsibility for and demonstrate commitment to appropriate decisions in a timely manner. You ensure decisions are made based on policies, rules, and organizational directives. You are empowered to make decisions but know when to ask for help. FLEXIBILITY You display a positive attitude in the face of ambiguity and change. You adapt and respond to the changing environment and constructively create opportunities for change through active participation. You take on different tasks, roles, and projects assignments as organizational realities change. LEADERSHIP You represent The Food Bank while working in a positive light to the community. You act as role model for volunteers and other employees, providing guidance where you can. You demonstrate through your actions that you put your best foot forward in interacting with others. PROBLEM SOLVING You make quick, informed decisions to resolve an issue or a problem—staying calm and using critical thinking. Always come with recommendations to problems you encounter to your manager or leader. RELATIONSHIP BUILDING You create partnerships, build trust, and share ideas. You give warm and honest feedback, regardless of a colleague’s role or seniority. RESPONSIBILITY You prioritize workload, manage time, optimally use resources, and achieve greater results. You follow through on commitments. You take responsibility and hold yourself accountable for your own decisions, actions, and failures. SELF-AWARENESS You are curious with a drive to understand how the organization works. You are open to feedback and reflect on completed activities, identifying what worked well, what didn’t, and what could be done differently next time to support continuous improvement. TEAMWORK You work with others toward a common vision and/or goals and objectives. You participate actively, share responsibility and rewards, and contribute to the team’s capability. You understand and recognize the value of other points of view and ways of doing things. You empathize with your colleagues and respond promptly to other team member needs. Why Work for Us? We have a passion to live our mission – to channel our community’s energy so no one goes hungry – and are committed to helping obtain and distribute emergency food from our neighbours for our neighbours. Our employees and volunteers are invested in and passionate about the work they do and are inspired to drive thoughtful innovation and growth. We take the work seriously but try not to take ourselves too seriously; we understand the importance of the work we do and teamwork while balancing fun, excitement, and camaraderie in the workplace. What benefits does The Food Bank offer? Some benefits and perks provided by The Food Bank of Waterloo Region include: Competitive salaries/wages! We’re a proud certified Living Wage Employer (Ontario Living Wage Network). We believe that all employees should be paid a wage that allows them to meet their basic needs (like food, shelter, and clothing) while also participating in community life. Dental, drug, and supplemental healthcare coverage for individuals, couples, or family. A mental health and well-being focus with short-term counselling and resources provided by our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and up to $1000 per year in counselling services. Vision care coverage. An RRSP matching program (4%). A $350 per employee per fiscal year Wellness Benefit as well as a $500 per fiscal year Healthcare Spending Account. A Bring Your Own Device allowance to cover work-related cell phone use ($35+ depending on role). Professional dues and association fee coverage. A generous vacation package, paid sick and family responsibility days, paid floating days, and birthday off. Hybrid work environment, where applicable. Closing early on Fridays in the summer. some benefits may depend on employment status such as full-time permanent employment. We are an equal opportunity employer. We believe that diverse teams perform better and that fostering an inclusive work environment is a key part of growing a successful team. We welcome people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The Food Bank of Waterloo Region is committed to accessibility and to protecting the human rights our job applicants during the recruitment process. Should, at any point throughout the recruitment process, an applicant require accommodation or communication in an alternative format because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at 519-743-5576. We are committed to providing accommodation or alternate formats upon request within a reasonable time in a mutually agreed upon format. No phone calls please. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Job Type: Full-time #J-18808-Ljbffr