Director of Development

Role briefing

Rise Calgary is entering a defining growth phase and we’re looking for a Director of Development who is truly the major gifts owner—the person who builds and runs the pipeline, leads donor conversations, and closes transformational gifts. This is a high-trust, high-autonomy role for someone who loves relationship-based development and strong follow-through: a disciplined prospect pipeline, clear next steps, and donor-centered stewardship that doesn’t rely on heroic effort. You’ll partner closely with the Executive Director and Board to unlock introductions and credibility, while holding ownership of the day-to-day moves management and donor experience.

Why this role is exciting

• True ownership of major gifts: portfolio strategy, discovery, asks, closes, and stewardship.
• Build the engine: consistent moves management, donor cadence, and upgrades that scale year-over-year.
• Work with a values-driven team that is clear about how we show up for each other and our community.
• Shape Rise’s next chapter: strengthen philanthropic revenue to support long-term sustainability and capital/campaign priorities.

Culture and Values

• We’ve got each other’s backs.
• We create brave and safe spaces.
• We invest in our growth and development.
• We are data informed and results driven.
• We are innovative.
• We know our role in the ecosystem.

Full job description

Role details

• Title: Director of Development (Major Gifts Owner)
• Status: Full-time (proposed) | Director-level
• Reports to Executive Director

Position summary

The Director of Development leads Rise Calgary’s philanthropic revenue growth and holds ownership of the major gifts program. This role builds a disciplined pipeline, moves relationships through clear steps, and closes gifts aligned to Rise Calgary’s priorities. The Director partners closely with the Executive Director and Board members as strategic allies, while retaining ownership of follow-through, documentation, and donor experience.

Performance goals (first 12 months)

• Stand up a functioning philanthropy, foundations and major gifts program with defined portfolio ownership and a clear moves management rhythm.
• Build and maintain a prioritized prospect pipeline with documented next steps for each relationship.
• Establish a consistent stewardship and donor communications cadence that supports retention and upgrades.
• Deliver measurable pipeline movement (discovery meetings, qualified prospects, solicitations, closed gifts) with transparent reporting.

Core responsibilities

Major gifts program ownership

• Build and own major gifts strategy, portfolio segmentation, and results (qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship).
• Lead and close major gift asks; develop tailored proposals and donor-specific briefing materials.
• Coordinate the Executive Director and Board members for strategic introductions/co-solicitations while owning follow-up and next steps.
• Create stewardship plans so donors feel known, thanked, and connected to impact.

Donor pipeline: prospecting and moves management

• Build and manage a prioritized donor pipeline with clear next actions for each prospect.
• Lead donor discovery and qualification; design cultivation plans and engagement opportunities.
• Track pipeline health, maintain accurate notes, and ensure reliable follow-up and documentation.

Fundraising streams and annual growth

• Drive individual giving growth strategies (retention, upgrade pathways, recurring giving development as appropriate).
• Support corporate sponsorship and community partnership development aligned to mission and brand.
• Use events strategically for relationship-building (not as the primary fundraising engine).

Campaign readiness & leadership

• Lead donor strategy and quiet-phase pipeline execution (gift table coverage and prospect movement).
• Support board fundraising assignments with clear asks, scripts, and follow-up steps.
• Coordinate with communications supports (staff/contractors/students) to ensure donor-facing assets are timely and aligned.

Systems, reporting, and collaboration

• Partner with operations to ensure donor database integrity, receipting workflow, and reporting accuracy.
• Report activity and progress in a simple dashboard format (meetings, proposals, commitments, next steps).
• Collaborate with program/impact leadership to translate impact into donor-relevant language and proof points.

Qualifications

• Proven success in relationship-based revenue generation (major gifts, sales, business development, or comparable).
• Comfort initiating donor conversations and making direct asks in a values-aligned way.
• Strong planning and follow-through: pipeline discipline, documentation, and deadline management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to translate impact into compelling donor language.
• High integrity and confidentiality with donor information and relationships.

Core competencies

• Donor-centered relationship building and listening.
• Strategic prospecting and disciplined moves management.
• Persuasive communication and negotiation with integrity.
• Operational rigor: systems thinking, documentation, and reporting.
• Collaborative leadership with staff and board partners.

Notes

• Rise Calgary is committed to equitable, diverse, and inclusive recruitment practices and encourages applications from people historically underrepresented in the sector. Please contact ***email_hidden*** to explore this opportunity.