Senior Development Officer, Signature Events

Every year, tens of thousands of British Columbians lace up their shoes and walk — for a parent who no longer remembers their name, a neighbour facing a frightening diagnosis, a future where Alzheimer's doesn't get the last word.

The Walk for Alzheimer's is one of BC's most beloved and enduring fundraising traditions. And Smart, Savvy + Associates is proud to partner with the Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon to find the person who will take it further.

This is not a supporting role. As the Senior Development Officer, Signature Events & Fundraising, you'll own the strategy, lead the relationships, and drive the growth of a province-wide signature event that already has deep community roots, and enormous potential.

What makes this opportunity different

Most fundraising roles ask you to build from scratch. This one hands you something real: a flagship event with history, community loyalty, and a mission that moves people. Your job is to grow it, thoughtfully, boldly, and sustainably.

You'll work closely with volunteer Walk Chairs, community organizations, sponsors, and internal teams. You'll be the connective tissue between the organization and the thousands of people who show up every year, and you'll shape what the next chapter of this program looks like.

This is a rare opportunity for a fundraiser who thrives on relationships, someone who knows how to activate a community, inspire volunteer leadership, and turn local energy into lasting impact for families living with Alzheimer's across BC.

What You’ll Do 

Lead fundraising strategy and performance 

• Develop and execute the fundraising strategy for a large-scale, province-wide signature event  
• Drive year-over-year growth in revenue, participation, and community engagement  
• Monitor performance across multiple communities, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities  
• Manage budgets, forecasting, and financial performance for the program  

Coach and mobilize volunteer leaders 

• Recruit, train, and support volunteer Walk Chairs and committees across regions  
• Coach volunteers to meet and exceed fundraising and participation goals  
• Strengthen volunteer engagement and build leadership capacity at the community level  

Build community and sponsor relationships 

• Engage community organizations, workplaces, and local leaders to grow participation and support  
• Build and steward relationships with sponsors and partners  
• Represent the organization in presentations, meetings, and community outreach  

Event oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight for Walk event planning and delivery in collaboration with the Events team.  
• Ensure a consistent, high-quality participant, volunteer and partner experience  
• Support peak campaign periods with hands-on leadership and problem-solving  

Collaborate across the organization 

• Work closely with Marketing & Communications, Community Services, and Volunteer teams  
• Contribute to program evaluation, reporting, and continuous improvement  
• Identify and introduce new fundraising opportunities and approaches  

What You Bring 

• 5+ years of experience in community fundraising, signature events, or peer-to-peer campaigns  
• Proven success growing revenue and participation in large-scale, multi-location fundraising initiatives  
• Experience leading and coaching volunteer-led programs  
• Confidence in public speaking, presentations, and making fundraising asks  
• Strong relationship-building skills with sponsors, community leaders, and partners  
• Experience managing budgets, forecasting, and financial performance  
• Ability to operate with autonomy, sound judgment, and accountability  
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple communities and timelines  
• Adaptability and comfort in fast-paced, evolving environments  

Nice to have: 

• Experience in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations  
• Exposure to marketing and communications as it relates to fundraising campaigns  
• Familiarity with donor databases such as Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar platforms  

The Details 

$68,000 to $75,000 base salary  
4 weeks + additional organizational closures 
Extended health, RRSP, and additional wellness supports 
Hybrid, Vancouver, BC (3 days in office) 

Occasional travel across BC and weekend work required during peak campaign periods 

The Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon supports approximately 85,000 British Columbians living with dementia. Their culture is grounded in empathy, purpose, and genuine collaboration — people here are motivated by the work, and it shows.

If you're a fundraiser who thrives on relationships, knows how to mobilize a community, and wants to do the most meaningful work of your career, we'd love to hear from you.

Smart, Savvy + Associates is a specialized recruitment agency focused on marketing, communications, and creative roles. Based in Vancouver, BC, we partner with organizations across Western Canada to help them hire with clarity and confidence. 

We believe diverse teams drive stronger results and are committed to equitable and inclusive recruitment practices. Candidates from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. If you require accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, please let us know.