Regional Director, Alberta & Prairies, NWT, Nunavut
JDRF
Salary: $105,000 - $115,000
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. It is not preventable, and its cause is unknown. It can affect anyone, at any age, at any time. Over 300,000 Canadians may have T1D, and the average incidence rate in Canada has been growing at an estimated 4.4% per year – among the highest countries in the world in terms of incidence.
People with T1D run the risk of dangerously high-blood sugar levels, which can lead to complications, or dangerously low blood sugar levels, which can result in a coma. Diabetes is the leading cause of amputations, blindness, kidney and heart disease, and other debilitating conditions. People with T1D must take insulin via syringe or insulin pump in required doses to control glucose levels in their blood.JDRF1 was formed by parents over forty years ago who wanted to find a cure for their children who had T1D and felt not enough awareness and research was focused on T1D. This origin has shaped JDRF’s fabric and continues today. Parents, people with T1D, and committed volunteers form the backbone of JDRF’s national support and give us an unrelenting passion and commitment to work to remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives.
JDRF Canada is one of seven international affiliates of JDRF that funds ground-breaking T1D research in Canada and around the globe. JDRF has funded, in whole or in part, the research projects of scientists involved in nearly every major scientific breakthrough in T1D research to-date. We also recognize that we help those living with T1D today to live healthier, easier, and safer lives until we arrive at the end of that path. JDRF will not rest until type 1 diabetes is fully conquered.
JDRF Canada raises funds through leadership gifts, planned giving, special events and peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate partnerships, and annual giving. Its staff is fully virtual across the country. JDRF is now recruiting an experienced fundraising leader to be our new Regional Director, Alberta & Prairies. Reporting to the VP Development, the goal of the Regional Director is to drive fundraising results in their region (which includes Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) by deepening and growing donor and volunteer relationships across the market.
Regional Directors are crucial leaders in JDRF’s fundraising teams, having broad responsibility for all fundraising strategies and execution in each region, partnering on national initiatives, and ensuring the JDRF supporter community is fully aware and engaged in JDRF’s incredible work. Ideally based in any of the region’s major cities, this is a compelling opportunity to:
• have autonomy over the development and execution of the region’s strategy;
• lead an engaged and keen team of five people across three provinces;
• work with highly committed donors & volunteers, and build on a strong foundation of success;
• join a virtual organization that values family and home life;
• contribute to JDRF’s national direction as a member of the senior management group.
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
The following pages outline the role, outcomes, and the ideal competencies in more detail. If you’re interested or curious, or know someone who is, please be in touch. This search is being led by JDRF’s search partner, Christoph Clodius at The Discovery Group, at christoph@thediscoverygroup.ca.
Application Timing & Process: The deadline for applications is August 25, 2023. After that point we’ll review submissions and begin the evaluation process. Candidates need to do their due diligence too, so at every point you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and look for information.
Compensation and Benefits: The Regional Director’s compensation range is $105,000 – $115,000. JDRF is pleased to offer a comprehensive health and wellness benefit package to support staff’s physical and mental health including;
• 4 weeks paid vacation, winter paid holiday office closure between Christmas and New Year’s, 11 stat holidays and flex weeks in the summer months;
• group RRSP Matching Program (3% match, immediate upon hire);
• Professional Development allowance up to $1000 annually;
• Manulife group benefits (employer paid premiums excluding LTD);
• Maple virtual health care, Not Myself Today program to support mentally healthy workplaces,
Location: JDRF is a remote-first workplace, and all of our staff work from their own home offices. JDRF provides home office reimbursement benefits of $70/month for internet and $150/year for other supplies (i.e., stationary, accessories etc. (up to $990 total annually).
The incumbent will ideally be based in any major city in the prairies, such as Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Calgary, or Edmonton. These are core cities for JDRF supporters, as well as major travel hubs since the RD will get to travel throughout the region. Additionally, the Regional Directors assemble a few times a year in a central location.
JDRF strives to foster a workplace that reflects the diversity of the community it serves and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. JDRF is also committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free selection process and work environment. Please advise if you require any accommodation measures to ensure you will be interviewed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation requests will be treated with confidentiality.
REGIONAL DIRECTOR POSITION SUMMARY
The Regional Director is an essential member of the team at JDRF, and as such will raise funds for important campaign areas through events, annual giving, corporate partnerships & philanthropy, and other methods. The incumbent will accomplish this through inspired leadership of a team of dedicated professional staff, engage and activate volunteers in fundraising, increase number and type of supporters in the pipeline, steward and maintain supporters and leading regional fundraising to achieve JDRF’s mission.
PRIMARY POSITION OUTCOMES
Strategic leadership
• Provide inspired and motivating leadership to the staff and volunteers while planning for and delivering JDRF’s fundraising programs (i.e., leadership gifts, annual giving, event fundraising) by serving as a visionary for the region and assigned territory.
• Develop a market fundraising plan, identifying strategies and plans to grow engagement and fundraising in different markets across the region, in line with JDRF’s overall fundraising strategy.
• Marshall the varied talents and resources available to meet and exceed fundraising goals.
• Develop overall goals, timelines, and budgets in partnership with the National Support Office and ensure goals are achieved and performance meets or exceeds expectations.
• Understand JDRF’s core program KPIs and effectively use JDRF systems to aggressively monitor year over year trends and impact on performance.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of JDRF’s mission and research strategy.
Fundraising
• Lead a regional strategy to engage individuals through annual giving and monthly giving at JDRF, which includes developing the donor journey for these audiences, developing benchmarks for acquisition, retention, and annual plans for delivery and monitoring.
• Partner with regional Leadership Giving staff team and volunteer leadership to solicit funding and other support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other sources of funding and/or influence.
• Develop prospect solicitation strategies and proposals.
• Directly oversee a portfolio of prospects and actively participate in the cultivation and acquisition of major donors, foundations, and corporate contributions.
Staff and financial management
• Lead, coach, and inspire a team of five committed staff (including one direct report) and many volunteers through one-on-one supervision and overall team management; Cultivate and sustain a strong team-oriented culture, with an emphasis on collaboration, results, and accountability.
• Assess current priorities, workload, and resources on a going basis and establish an action plan ensuring that immediate needs are met while longer-term strategies, plans and actions are developed.
• Assess development needs of team members and in conjunction with the Human Resources team; implement training, coaching and career guidance as needed.
• Assess team members’ performance and implement behavior correcting measures if required.
• Evaluate human and financial resources and develop plans which support maximum market penetration and increased efficiency.
• Serve as an ambassador and spokesperson for the Alberta & Prairies region as required.
• Develop and implement regional business plans, monitoring ongoing performance and coordinate with colleagues to adjust the delivery of plans as necessary to achieve targets.
• Accountable for the development, management, and attainment of annual budgets, the maintenance of its fiscal records, and the timely and accurate submission of JDRF financial and forecast reports.
• Ensure efficient and appropriate utilization of JDRF equipment and facilities.
• Implement and reinforce JDRF policies, procedures, and programs within the region, in collaboration with National Directors/Managers.
• Communicate regularly with the national support office and participate or lead internal committees/teams as required by the Foundation.
• Operates within the philosophy, culture, and values of the Foundation.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, SKILLS, ABILITIES)
• Significant professional nonprofit fundraising experience, with a clear record of achievement in a complex, mission-driven organization
• Demonstrated experience managing, leading, coaching, and mentoring staff to achieve results. Experience managing staff remotely an asset.
• Some flexibility to travel throughout the region and to attend evening and weekend events; valid driver’s license required.
• University or College degree in Business Management, Fundraising or related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
DESIRED COMPETENCIES & IDEAL TRAITS
• Mission-aligned with the work, goals, and communities that JDRF works with.
• Experience and ability to partner with strong and active volunteer leaders is critical, as is the ability to work successfully with a large network of passionate volunteers.
• A broad base of fundraising experience to understand and appreciate how a multi-faceted fundraising program works and its pieces complement each other; successful mid-level or major gift fundraising experience would be valuable.
• Exceptional relationship-building and donor management skills: the identification, cultivation, solicitation and on-going stewardship of leadership individual donors and corporate partners.
• Navigational skills to manage JDRF’s various internal constituents, a keen and proactive team player and partner across the organization. Adept at managing complexity and identifying key stakeholders.
• Exceptional management skills and the ability to inspire, lead and motivate a talented and geographically disbursed staff team; develop and sustain an inclusive and respectful work environment through all interactions with staff.
• Commitment to staff development and ability to create career/development plans for staff, with a view toward retaining a talented team.
• Team player that has the experience and ability to interface with all levels of staff and volunteers. Must develop, grow, manage, and utilize relationships. Capability to leverage relationships and negotiate agreements.
• High level of comfort communicating complex information (e.g., JDRF research, goals, etc.) to a wide range of audiences, from high-net worth individuals to corporate and governmental leaders, the press, and the public.
• Ability to be a passionate spokesperson/representative of JDRF’s mission.
• Ability to translate strategies into achievable goals/deliverables. Highly analytical and understands know numbers and data can tell a story.
• Attention to detail while also having the ability to see the “big picture”.
• Highly accountable and self-motivated, personable, and service-oriented. Driven to set and achieve targets.
• Ability to work within a tight timeline and prioritize in a fast-paced dynamic environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills to successfully interact with external customers and staff within the organization.
• Strong interpersonal, customer service, problem solving and planning skills are required.