Sr. Director, Stewardship

A Transformational Role in Philanthropy

Employment Type: Full-Time Permanent (35 hours/week), Hybrid, Toronto-based

How To Apply: Please apply via LinkedIn

At the Terry Fox Foundation, we are building a world-class philanthropy team inspired by Terry's enduring values: integrity, courage, determination, and compassion. As we embark on a bold new chapter in the fight against cancer, we invite visionary and driven individuals to join us in engaging donors to invest in transformative cancer research.

This is your opportunity to be part of something extraordinary-to help shape a high-performing team with ambitious goals and play a key role in a historic mission to "Finish It." If you're passionate about making a lasting impact and energized by the challenge of building something meaningful, we want to hear from you.

If we build a culture of meaningful engagement and authentic donor stewardship, we will deepen relationships, inspire greater generosity, and accelerate cancer research breakthroughs. The Senior Director, Stewardship, at the Terry Fox Foundation is a senior leadership role for a strategic and donor-centric professional who understands that stewardship is more than thanking donors - it is the art and science of fostering long-term philanthropic partnerships.

Why This Role Matters

Working closely with the Chief Philanthropy Officer and the broader Philanthropy team, the Director, Stewardship ensures that every donor experiences the full impact of their generosity. This role integrates the best thinking in donor relations, emphasizing that stewardship must be proactive, deeply personalized, and woven into every stage of the donor experience. Your leadership will shape how the Foundation acknowledges, engages, and elevates its donors, ensuring sustained and increasing philanthropic support for cutting-edge cancer research.

What You'll Achieve

• Strategic Stewardship Leadership: Develop and execute a comprehensive stewardship strategy that deepens donor engagement and drives increased giving.
• Impact-Driven Donor Journeys: Design individualized stewardship pathways for major and transformational donors that reinforce their impact and inspire continued investment.
• Personalized Engagement: Establish tailored recognition and engagement plans that move beyond traditional thank-you letters, fostering deeper donor commitment.
• Integration Across Teams: Work closely with fundraising, marketing, finance, and research teams to ensure donors see and feel the direct results of their support.
• Compelling Donor Communications: Lead the creation of reports, videos, and experiences that demonstrate the power of donor contributions in advancing cancer research.
• Event & Experience Strategy: Oversee the development of meaningful donor events, site visits, and one-on-one interactions that strengthen relationships.
• Stewardship Innovation: Introduce creative stewardship initiatives that differentiate the Terry Fox Foundation, making donors feel uniquely valued and inspired.
• Recognition & Accountability: Implement a structured, data-driven stewardship tracking system that ensures timely, effective, and consistent donor engagement.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Build and lead a high-performing stewardship team that embraces donor-centric principles and delivers exceptional experiences.

Who You Are

• A senior fundraising professional with 7-10 years of experience in stewardship, donor relations, and/or philanthropy.
• A thought leader in donor engagement, well-versed in the latest research and best practices
• A storyteller who understands how to translate donor impact into compelling narratives that inspire deeper investment.
• A strategic thinker who can design and implement stewardship frameworks that drive results.
• A high-EQ leader with exceptional relationship management skills, ensuring every donor feels valued and connected.
• A collaborator who thrives in cross-functional teams, ensuring stewardship is integrated into all aspects of fundraising.
• A data-informed decision-maker who uses insights to measure stewardship effectiveness and refine engagement strategies.
• A mission-driven professional who is inspired by Terry Fox's legacy and committed to playing a role in supporting cancer research.

What Success Looks Like

• Increased donor retention and growth: donors at all levels feel valued, leading to sustained and increased giving.
• Transformational donor experiences: supporters deeply connect with the mission through impactful engagement strategies.
• An integrated stewardship culture: fundraisers, executives, and board members embrace and prioritize stewardship.
• Recognition beyond expectation: donors consistently receive timely, meaningful, and personalized engagement.
• A best-in-class stewardship program: Terry Fox Foundation is recognized as a leader in donor experience and engagement.

This is more than a stewardship role! It's an opportunity to define the future of donor engagement and ensure that every act of generosity moves us closer to a world without cancer. If you are ready to lead with passion, creativity, and purpose, we invite you to be part of our journey.

How to Apply:

We appreciate your interest in joining the Terry Fox Foundation!

Please apply via LinkedIn by uploading a cover letter and resume along with your salary expectations.

Please note that only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Details regarding compensation, including the salary and benefits package, will be discussed with candidates invited to interview.

To be considered for this position, applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada at the time of application. The Terry Fox Foundation is unable to support work permit or immigration applications for this role. Employment is contingent upon the Foundation's receipt of all required documentation.

Finish It.

The Terry Fox movement is a Marathon of Hope.

Crossing the finish line means hope for everyone with cancer. Cancer will be defeated. For some cancer that will be prevention, for some cancer that will be management, and for some cancer that will be a cure.

Finishing the Marathon of Hope means cancer is no longer feared. Finishing the Marathon of Hope will mean hope for everyone.

The finish line is within sight. Now it's up to us to finish what Terry started.

Together, we can: Finish it!

About the Terry Fox Foundation and the Terry Fox Research Institute

The Terry Fox Foundation and the Terry Fox Research Institute are at the forefront of the fight against cancer, advancing bold, collaborative research that transforms lives. Inspired by Terry's vision and driven by the unwavering support of millions - in every community across Canada and places around the globe - we fund world-class, patient-centered research that accelerates breakthroughs in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. Since 1981, more than a billion dollars have supported collaborative cancer researchers and clinicians. Leading the way, Terry Fox Research Institute's national collaboration of cancer centres, universities and teaching hospitals is having impact immediate impact, today. For more information visit: terryfox.org.