Senior Director, Philanthropic Leadership

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 fundraising strategy and execution, with a primary focus on growing UJA’s Annual Campaign, while ensuring strategic integration, where relevant, with UJA’s Supplementary and Transformational Campaigns and the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto.

A central priority of this role will be driving philanthropic growth through the identification, cultivation, and acquisition of net-new high-net-worth donors. The Senior Director will be expected to bring an entrepreneurial, results-oriented approach to expanding UJA’s donor base, building strong prospect pipelines, and developing innovative strategies to engage new philanthropic leaders.

Reporting to the SVP, Philanthropic Leadership, the Senior Director will serve as a key strategic thought partner, working closely with senior professional and high-profile lay leadership to strengthen fundraising performance, expand UJA’s philanthropic reach, and deepen relationships with Toronto’s leading donors and prospects.

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 a high-performing fundraising team.

Establish clear fundraising goals, performance metrics, and accountability structures, with a strong emphasis on donor acquisition, prospect pipeline development, solicitation activity, and revenue growth.

Drive a proactive, results-oriented fundraising culture that prioritizes prospecting, meaningful donor engagement, and the consistent advancement of philanthropic opportunities.

Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning, recognizing fundraising successes and encouraging creative approaches to donor engagement and growth.

Monitor individual and team performance, providing strategic guidance to ensure fundraising targets are achieved and opportunities are maximized.

Donor Portfolio Management

Manage and grow a portfolio of high-net-worth donors and prospects, including existing donor relationships, with a significant emphasis on identifying, cultivating, and securing net-new donors to UJA.

Proactively build and expand a personal portfolio through strategic prospecting, relationship development, and the conversion of new prospects into long-term philanthropic partners.

Work closely with high-profile lay leadership and influential community leaders, leveraging their networks, relationships, and insights to identify and engage new philanthropic prospects.

Drive giving primarily to UJA’s Annual Campaign, while identifying opportunities for strategic integration with UJA’s Supplementary and Transformational Campaigns and the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto.

Develop and execute tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that strengthen donor relationships and maximize philanthropic potential.

Strategic Growth & Prospect Development

Lead, develop, and execute a comprehensive prospecting and growth strategy , with a strong focus on acquiring net-new high-net-worth donors and expanding UJA’s philanthropic reach.

Develop innovative strategies and actionable tactics to identify, engage, cultivate, and convert new prospects into meaningful philanthropic relationships.

Establish clear goals, performance metrics, and accountability structures for prospect development, donor acquisition, and revenue growth across the fundraising team.

Build and oversee a robust prospect pipeline, leveraging data, research, strategic partnerships, and the networks of senior volunteer leadership.

Serve as a key strategic partner to high-profile lay leaders, working collaboratively to open doors, cultivate relationships, and secure significant new philanthropic commitments.

Identify opportunities to engage emerging philanthropic leaders and develop pathways for long-term involvement and investment in UJA.

Foster a proactive, entrepreneurial approach to fundraising, driving a culture of prospecting, collaboration, and measurable growth.

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, Events, and Research, to develop compelling donor engagement opportunities and support strategic fundraising objectives.

Identify opportunities for collaboration across teams to strengthen prospect development, expand donor networks, and maximize philanthropic opportunities.

Ensure donor engagement strategies are informed by UJA’s impact, priorities, and broader organizational vision.

Strategy & Leadership

Serve as a strategic thought partner to the SVP, Philanthropic Leadership, contributing to the department’s overall vision, priorities, and long-term fundraising growth strategy.

Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans with clear goals, timelines, and measurable outcomes.

Leverage data, analytics, and fundraising insights to evaluate performance, identify opportunities, and continuously refine donor acquisition and engagement strategies.

Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior volunteer leadership, donors, and community stakeholders, representing UJA with professionalism, credibility, and confidence.

Bring creativity, initiative, and a forward-thinking approach to strengthening UJA’s position within Toronto’s philanthropic community.

Qualifications

Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in major gifts fundraising, philanthropy, or a related field, including at least 3–5 years in a leadership or management role.

Demonstrated success securing significant philanthropic commitments, including six- and seven-figure gifts, and building trusted relationships with high-net-worth individuals and families.

Proven track record in new donor acquisition, prospect development, and building and converting high-value fundraising pipelines.

Strong leadership experience, with a demonstrated ability to coach, motivate, and develop high-performing fundraising professionals.

Exceptional relationship-building skills, with the confidence, sophistication, and judgment to engage high-profile donors, influential volunteer leaders, and senior community stakeholders.

Entrepreneurial and strategic mindset, with the ability to translate ambitious growth objectives into practical, measurable fundraising strategies.

Strong analytical, organizational, and planning skills, with a commitment to accountability and results.

Highly collaborative leadership style, with the ability to build partnerships and work effectively across