Senior Director - Philanthropy - Foundation - Regular full-time - 2026-16843

Title: Senior Director, Philanthropy

Department: Philanthropy

Reports to: Executive Director, Philanthropy

Existing Vacancy: No

Location: 2075 Bayview Ave, North York, ON M4N 3M5 (K-Wing)

Who We Are

Sunnybrook Foundation inspires lasting support for Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, one of Canada’s largest and most dynamic health science centres impacting the lives of the more than 1.1 million patients it sees each year. Sunnybrook is ranked #3 in Canada and #30 worldwide in Newsweek Magazine’s World’s Best Hospitals 2026 list. This is the eighth consecutive year Sunnybrook has received this recognition.

Together with our donor community, Sunnybrook Foundation raises critical funds for Sunnybrook’s world class academic health sciences centre to achieve our shared vision to invent the future of health care. With ambitious goals ahead, the Foundation is committed to continuing to grow our results and impact as we help Sunnybrook to raise sights, uncover new possibilities, develop talent, and deliver exceptional care.

We are one team in pursuit of a common purpose – to inspire lasting support for Sunnybrook – and we are guided by our values: Build Connectedness, Act with Integrity, Meaningful Collaboration and Strive for Excellence.

Why Join Us

At Sunnybrook Foundation, purpose and passion drive us. We lead with our values and know that our diversity makes us stronger. Here, your work will help raise funds to shape the future of one of the world’s best hospitals, contributing to innovation and a profound impact on the communities we serve. You will collaborate, learn, and grow with a team united in our ambition.

Position Overview

The Senior Director, Philanthropy is an experienced strategic, collaborative, and operationally savvy senior major gift fundraising leader.

With experience building trusting relationships and credibility, and with a deep appreciation of the complexity of the hospital environment, the ideal candidate will create mutually beneficial partnerships that advance the work of the Philanthropy Team, particularly major gift fundraising; and be skilled at coaching and engaging physicians and hospital partners in all aspects of philanthropy.

Leveraging years of experience working with individuals and families through meaningful philanthropic experiences, the Senior Director leads gift solicitations for a strategic pipeline of donors and volunteers to maximize their giving to Sunnybrook.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Philanthropy, and working closely with the EVP, Philanthropy, the Senior Director will play an important role on the Foundation’s Philanthropy Team. Their work will build team capacity and the overall value of the major gifts portfolio, while leading a team of fundraising professionals in the development and execution of the short- and long-term fundraising strategies for a world-class Hospital.

This role supports the Executive Director, Philanthropy in the development and execution of annual business plans for a major gifts program with significant strategic and financial impact, ensuring alignment with Sunnybrook Foundation growth plan and the hospital’s priorities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Model Sunnybrook Foundation values in all aspects of their work and ensure strategies are concretely linked to Sunnybrook’s vision, values, and strategic plan.

• The Senior Director will formulate and lead the execution of the fundraising strategy for enterprise-wide strategic fundraising priorities (i.e. Critical Care Centre, Clinical Trials, Fellowships, etc). This includes: Developing project cases, key messages, overviews and proposals, subsequent training and knowledge-sharing; Coordinating multiple Foundation stakeholders to develop priority-specific pipelines, engagement and solicitation strategies ($100k+); measure, monitor, and manage overall performance of hospital-wide fundraising priorities against set goals

• Support and in some cases lead the development of key change management initiatives impacting the Philanthropy Team; assess readiness to engage in change efforts and facilitate the design and execution of the change effort including mitigating risks.
• Lead representative of the Major Gifts portfolio in key stakeholder groups, such as Campaign Steering Committee, Managers Meeting, etc.
• Adhere to and ensure compliance with Foundation and Hospital processes, policies, systems, and practices.
• Contribute to the SBF’s objective to maximize private sector support for the Hospital.

Team Leadership and Support

• Monitor discovery pipeline across Philanthropy, working with the ED to ensure pipelines are qualified, developed and maintained at $100,000 and greater
• Provide strategic direction to Philanthropy Team and interdepartmental colleagues on targeted major gift donor communications, recognition, and stewardship activities, and leveraging planned giving engagement opportunities
• Lead team training and support for increased patient and family giving referrals from Hospital partners
• Support fundraising priority development and approvals processes for the Philanthropy Team, with particular focus on fundraising feasibility assessments.
• Acting as lead when directed by and in the absence of Executive Director, Philanthropy on team activity, such as pipeline assignments, gift processing approvals, etc.

Major Gift Fundraising Portfolio

• Develop and manage a portfolio of high net worth towards the successful completion of major gifts at the $1 million+ level, annual target of $5M+
• Responsible for a limited number of complex major gift strategies and/or supporting the CEO and VP with select transformational relationships.
• Engage and support senior volunteers, leveraging relationships for the Foundation.
• Lead and mentor a team of relationship managers responsible for executing fundraising strategy within designated programs toward growth in their performance and career objectives
• Coach and mentor direct reports on donor and program engagement strategies, including recommendations for blended gift strategies, leadership involvement,
• Review and approve proposals and impact reports within designated programs
• Measure, monitor, and manage performance against set performance targets and fundraising priorities.

Qualifications and Competencies

Below are qualifications and competencies we believe the successful candidate will need for this role:

• Progressive leadership in fundraising roles with a minimum of ten years’ proven experience developing and successfully executing major gift fundraising strategies of significant complexity, preferably in a health care or academic environment.
• An outstanding record of professional accomplishment in fundraising, including the solicitation of major gifts at the 6- and 7-figure level and above.
• Demonstrated ability leading and developing progression in employees with diverse skills and experience.
• Experience guiding and motivating staff with the ability to develop and mentor individuals and teams toward fundraising success.
• Experience with pipeline development and management best practices, data and reporting that informs decision making, and a keen understanding of metrics and key performance indicators.
• Experience engaging and supporting volunteers directly involved in major and principal gift cultivations, solicitations, and stewardship.
• Experience liaising and building relationships with senior leaders and strategic partners (internal and external).
• Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in promoting a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; previous experience and understanding of working with staff, volunteers, and donors from diverse cultural, socio-economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated success in developing relationships, engaging, and working with senior volunteers, physicians, and hospital administration to advance the mission of the organization.
• A strong understanding of donor engagement across various giving streams and vehicles and its importance in strengthening and deepening donor relationships.
• Ability to work independently with discretion relating to donor negotiations, policy administration and interpretation, and administrative responsibilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence, inspire, and engage key stakeholders internally and externally.
• Understand and successfully navigate the philanthropic industry, keeping abreast of best practices locally, regionally, and globally.

Total Rewards Package

This role has been evaluated with an annual salary range of $155,000 -193,000. The hiring range for this position is $155,000 -175,000. The salary will be determined based on the successful candidate’s years of experience, qualifications and competencies that are relevant to this position. This position is also eligible for performance-based compensation.

In addition to salary, our competitive compensation package also includes, comprehensive health and dental benefits, HOOPP (Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan), hybrid work environment with a minimum of two (2) days in office, two (2) float days each fiscal year and additional Sunny Days (long weekend closures in advance of summer long weekends and Christmas Eve).

We thank all applicants in advance. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Sunnybrook Foundation does not use AI to screen job applications.

​​​We know that everyone’s career journey looks a bit different and experience comes in many forms. If you’re unsure whether your experience matches all of the requirements but still think this would be a great fit, we encourage you to apply.

Sunnybrook Foundation values equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace and is committed to fostering a work environment where employees can bring their whole selves to work, are valued for their diversity, and feel a sense of belonging.

Sunnybrook Foundation is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience for all candidates. If you require accommodations at any stage of the hiring process, please let us know when you are contacted.