Director of Development

We acknowledge the land we are meeting on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.

Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) is the leading destination in Toronto to experience sustainable horticulture, and to better understand our collective role as stewards of our ecosystem. With free admission and over 300,000 visitors a year, TBG welcomes everyone to learn to love plants. Beyond an inspiring plant oasis, we are a dynamic community hub and an engaging learning environment.

In partnership with the City of Toronto, TBG is embarking on an exciting landmark capital expansion. Today the Garden is a 4-acre botanical garden nestled in the City of Toronto’s Park System adjacent to Edwards Gardens and the Wilket Creek Trail. As the Garden prepares to expand its managerial oversight across thirty-five acres (in a phased approach), the organization is scaling up to achieve sustained organizational performance as a relevant and inspiring living museum.

Toronto Botanical Garden connects people and plants, fostering sustainable communities and developing reciprocal relationships with nature through lifelong learning.

It is within this context that Toronto Botanical Garden invites applications and nominations for the appointment of its next Director of Development to join TBG on its journey of continued growth as an inspired plant place, an engaging learning environment and a dynamic community hub.

Reporting to the Executive Director, and as a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Development plays an active and strategic role in developing a culture of philanthropy that builds communities of support and attracts high impact philanthropy to TBG’s strategic priorities. The Director creates a development strategy and designs, directs and executes a multifaceted and full complement of fundraising programs, including major gifts and capital campaigns, sponsorship marketing, grant writing, planned giving, core mission and program initiatives, and special events. The Director fosters cross-team collaboration, and motivates and supports a team of staff, Board of Directors and volunteers, including members of the Development Committee, who advocate for TBG in the execution of the development plan.

This appointment requires an entrepreneurial, results oriented and community minded leader who is passionate about the mission of TBG, connecting people to plants, fostering sustainable communities and developing reciprocal relationships with nature through lifelong learning.

As the ideal candidate, you are a collaborative and experienced leader, fundraiser and strategic implementation professional who seeks and inspires excellence and impact in all endeavours. You are a motivated and motivating team builder and organization developer. You are an exceptional and engaging communicator, and have strong interpersonal skills. You can manage multiple priorities, think outside the box, solve problems, and take initiative.

You have proven experience creating and leading comprehensive fund development programs, achieving revenue targets, and building and maintaining relationships with a diverse base of engaged donors, sponsors and partners. You are comfortable managing annual and capital campaigns concurrently, and have knowledge of, and experience with, planned giving, special events planning and management, and marketing processes and concepts. Experience working with membership-based organizations such as museums, cultural, environmental or educational institutions is an asset, as is experience working in support of a voluntary board of directors.  Post-secondary education is an asset, as is a CFRE designation. You have demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and are committed to TBG as a garden for all; a diverse community that recognizes the life-giving role of nature, working together for a more sustainable world.

To apply or explore this key leadership position at Toronto Botanical Garden further, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter, in confidence, to Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Noshina Choudhary (noshina@griffithgroup.ca).

Toronto Botanical Garden is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a welcoming, safe, diverse and inclusive environment. TBG's workplace has a long-standing policy of providing fair, equitable, and accessible opportunities for all employees and prospective employees. TBG encourages all qualified applicants for employment regardless of age, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, or disability status.

All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Toronto Botanical Garden and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca) should you require any accommodation to participate in this posting, recruitment, selection and/or assessment processes.