About UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

At UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, our vision is to lead the most vibrant Jewish community in North America - a community characterized by its diversity, unity, compassion, generosity and commitment to Jewish values. Together with our philanthropic, volunteer and professional leadership, we’re changing lives.

As one of North America’s leading Jewish non-profits, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto works to preserve and strengthen the quality of Jewish life in Greater Toronto, Canada, Israel and around the world. UJA advances this mission through fundraising, programs, and research focused on our strategic pillars: fighting poverty and improving well-being, growing Jewish education and identity, countering antisemitism and hate, and strengthening connections with Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.

About the Opportunity

The Senior Director, Philanthropic Leadership plays a critical role in advancing UJA’s mission by leading and inspiring a team of major gift officers responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-value donors. This senior leader will oversee strategy and execution to grow philanthropy among high-net-worth donors and prospects, including support for the Annual Campaign, Transformational Campaigns, and the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto.

Reporting to the SVP, Philanthropic Leadership, the Senior Director will serve as a key thought partner in developing and implementing innovative approaches to expand giving, deepen donor engagement, and strengthen the next generation of leadership within Toronto’s philanthropic community.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of major gift officers, providing regular coaching, feedback, and professional development to build their skills as high-performing fundraisers.
• Set clear goals and accountability structures to ensure team success in donor engagement, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning within the Philanthropic Leadership team.

Donor Portfolio Management

• Manage a personal portfolio of leading donor families, cultivating meaningful relationships and securing major philanthropic commitments across UJA’s funding priorities.
• Solicit gifts for UJA’s Annual Campaign, Transformational Campaigns, and the Jewish Foundation, ensuring integration and alignment across giving vehicles.
• Partner with volunteers and senior leaders to develop customized strategies for donor engagement and solicitation.

Strategic Growth & Prospect Development

• Develop and execute strategies to grow giving among new and emerging high-net-worth donors, identifying opportunities for engagement and entry points into UJA’s ecosystem.
• Lead cross-departmental initiatives to build a robust pipeline of prospects, incorporating data, analytics, and creative engagement strategies.
• Serve as the key professional partner to a network of volunteer leaders to identify, cultivate, and solicit new prospects.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with other teams within the Philanthropic Leadership Group—including Annual Campaign, Transformational Philanthropy, and Stewardship & Donor Experience—to ensure a coordinated, holistic approach to donor relationships.
• Collaborate with departments across UJA, including Planning, Marketing, and Events, to align strategies that enhance donor engagement and visibility.

Strategy & Leadership

• Contribute to the overall strategic vision and goals of the Philanthropic Leadership department.
• Use data and insights to measure progress, identify opportunities, and continuously improve donor engagement strategies.
• Represent UJA professionally in the community, inspiring confidence among donors, volunteers, and partners.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in major gifts fundraising or philanthropy, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership or management role.
• Passionate advocate and visible champion of UJA’s mission, values, and goals, inspiring others through action and unwavering commitment to advancing our shared purpose.
• Proven success securing major philanthropic gifts and managing donor relationships at the six- and seven-figure level.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, motivate, and develop fundraising talent.
• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage donors, volunteers, and colleagues at all levels.
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational, analytical, and planning abilities.
• Collaborative leader with a passion for Jewish community life and UJA’s mission.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE designation considered an asset.

*This is a full-time permanent position. At UJA we support a flexible work schedule and all of our employees engage in hybrid work. Engagement and connection are key to supporting the best employee experience and we want to ensure that this puts balance and well-being at the forefront of our approach to ways of working. In addition to a rich time off policy, UJA’s offices are closed on all Jewish holy days (yom tov) and we support early office closures to observe the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat).

Qualified applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume.
Only those applicants invited for interview will be contacted. Please be advised that all offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of professional references and background checks including Social Media Account(s) and a Police Records Check/Vulnerable Sector Screening.

Commitment to Inclusion and Accessibility:

UJA Federation supports a diverse candidate and employment experience. We are proud of our dynamic professional team, which reflects the diversity of the Jewish community and general community alike in Greater Toronto. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all communities. We encourage you to follow us to get regular updates on open roles. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace and believe this is essential to ensure that every member of our team can thrive.

We adhere to barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.

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