Position Summary

WCS Canada is seeking a Senior Fundraising Communications Officer to play a central role in growing our organization’s fundraising capacity by building meaningful relationships and engaging existing and prospective donors.

The position will create, develop, and enhance an integrated mix of donor and partner-centered communication tools from copy to design, to support individual, corporate and foundation partnerships and other fundraising activities. This will include the creation of Cases for Support, donor Impact Reports, proposals and grant applications, and meaningful stewardship correspondence from conception to completion. The successful candidate will be a captivating storyteller who can inspire our community by sharing our conservation work. The incumbent will work closely with teams across the organization, including Communications and Marketing and Conservation programs, as well as with external contractors, to achieve organizational goals.

This position will be a vital member of a small, successful and motivated team working toward implementing our five-year fundraising strategy. The ideal candidate will have exceptional interpersonal, communication and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands. The right candidate will be a passionate storyteller, a savvy relationship manager, and able to deliver on ambitious targets.

Principal Responsibilities:

•  Collaborate with the Director of Philanthropy to develop targeted solicitation strategies, customized proposals, sponsorship packages, briefing documents, grant applications, and presentations to secure individual, corporate and foundation gifts.
•  Enthusiastically develop communication messages and materials in support of Annual Giving and donor stewardship initiatives, including strategizing concepts, identifying key themes, target audiences and delivery channels, and facilitating needed input and approvals from colleagues, culminating in well-managed production.
•  Champion planning, writing, and delivering fundraising emails, segment lists, and undertake regular email performance tracking and analytics to maximize response and conversions.
•  Develop proposals, grant applications, and donor reports in collaboration with our conservation scientists, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of information while creating compelling audience-centric material.
•  Deliver superior donor stewardship, to retain and upgrade support – including prompt, personal and meaningful gift acknowledgement correspondence, timely renewals, strategic monthly conversions, and gift upgrades.
•  Write and produce compelling communications that spotlight and share donor stories.
•  Act as an internal champion of the Fundraising Team to support a culture of philanthropy at WCS Canada and implement strategic ideas with a focus on deepening engagement.
•  Develop and manage the production of bi-annual Impact Reports and WCS Canada’s Annual Report.
•  Strategize and draft content updates when needed pertaining to donor-focused areas of WCS Canada’s website, to ensure accurate and up-to-date presentation of fundraising WCS Canada’s development initiatives and channels.
•  Help coordinate donor stewardship and fundraising events and participate in donor cultivation.
•  Work with the Communications Team on the design and production of any marketing and communications materials related to fundraising including digital advertising through social media and Google Ads.
•  Participate in the analysis of supporters to identify giving trends and new potential revenue opportunities.
•  Contribute to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that promotes engagement and belonging.
•  Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications/Skills/Experience:

•  A degree in fundraising, communication, marketing or a similar field of study or work experience equivalent.
•  3-5 years’ experience in fundraising or communications, with expertise in developing high-quality customized corporate, major gift and foundation communications including proposals, reports, letters, and other communication assets.
•  Superlative writing and communication skills , with strong ability to inspire and motivate donors in response to calls to action, and reflective of a well-evolved understanding of correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax.
•  Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong sense of diplomacy, and demonstrated ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with colleagues, volunteers, donors, and other stakeholders.
•  Proven ability to work in a multi-layered, complex, results-orientated institution with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
•  Superior ability to produce high-quality work under tight, changing deadlines, combined with a comfort managing multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.
•  Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategies that strengthen long-term relationships with donors and/or volunteers.
•  Superior project management skills and ability to coordinate multiple priorities concurrently and establish new standards of success.
•  Understanding of current and emerging best practices in stewardship and donor engagement.
•  Demonstrated commitment to advancing the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
•  Commitment to professional development and personal growth.
•  Ability to work independently, rise to new challenges, find creative solutions, and prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment, with an unwavering commitment to detail.
•  Experience with graphic design, Adobe Suite, and email marketing platforms a strong asset.
•  Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge fundraising database a strong asset.
•  Computer proficiency in using the MS Office suite.
•  Bilingual (ability to write formal communications in French) is an asset.