Director, Community Engagement

Location: Guelph, ON | Position Type: Full-time | Reports to: CEO

The Opportunity: 

Lead with Purpose. Inspire Community. Transform Healthcare.

At The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital, we believe that great healthcare starts with a strong community. We’re looking for a strategic, collaborative leader to guide our Community Engagement team and help shape a healthier tomorrow for Guelph and beyond.

As Director, Community Engagement, you will be the driving force behind messaging that inspires giving, builds community, and strengthens relationships. If you’re an experienced professional in communications, marketing, and fundraising as well as passionate about healthcare and community, this could be the next chapter in your career.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary (target hiring range is $96,000–$115,000), with potential for growth
• Comprehensive benefits, including group benefits plan and defined benefit pension, generous time-off, personal days, early closures on summer long weekends, a parental leave top-up and a Sabbatical Program
• A hybrid work model (based primarily in our Guelph office)
• A collaborative and purpose-driven culture
• The opportunity to help build toward a new hospital for our growing community

About the Role

As a senior leader, you'll report to the CEO and work closely with the Directors of Philanthropy and Philanthropic Programs. You’ll lead strategy development and implementation across communications, marketing, annual giving, and community fundraising, while providing guidance and mentorship to a growing team. You will be stepping in to lead a high performing team who have experienced considerable growth over recent years. Your challenge will be to lead us into an even brighter future, building awareness, growing our donor base, and exploring new opportunities as we seek to meet ambitious plans for the future of Guelph General Hospital.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Lead strategic planning for community engagement and fundraising
• Monitor KPIs and optimize program performance
• Collaborate on multi-year goals and strategic growth initiatives

Brand & Communications

• Oversee Foundation messaging, branding, and public profile
• Lead communication strategy and marketing policy development
• Align efforts with Guelph General Hospital’s communications team

Fund Development

• Oversee all annual revenue streams: direct response, tribute gifts, events, lottery, online giving, and digital campaigns
• Ensure revenue growth through data analysis, innovation, and campaign optimization

Community & Donor Engagement

• Represent the Foundation in the local community
• Build and steward relationships with donors, service clubs, and volunteers
• Collaborate on sponsorships and support stewardship efforts across all programs

Team Leadership:

• Lead and grow a team of four, comprised of two managers who oversee their respective programs and two indirect reports in coordinating roles
• Foster an inclusive, compassionate, and high-performing work culture
• Support board development and represent the Foundation at board meetings

About You

You’re an experienced leader with a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and a passion for mission-driven work. You thrive in dynamic environments, enjoy mentoring others, and excel at bringing people together to achieve shared goals.

Must-Have Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree/diploma (preferably in Communications, Marketing, or related)
• 10+ years of progressive experience in marketing, communications, or fundraising, with at least 5 years in a management role
• Proven expertise in brand strategy, digital marketing, campaign optimization, and fundraising communications
• Strong project management skills and attention to detail
• Data-driven decision-making and fluency in analytics tools
• Skilled in MS Office and in CRM/fundraising software
• Demonstrated leadership experience and a passion for healthcare and community

Nice to Have:

• Master’s or post-graduate degree
• Experience in healthcare philanthropy and knowledge of the Guelph-Wellington community

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and planning
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Relationship-building and donor stewardship
• Team leadership and mentorship
• Adaptability, accountability, and time management
• Data analysis and results-driven decision-making

Our Values

At the Foundation, we are guided by values that shape everything we do:

Integrity

We uphold trust and transparency in our stewardship of each gift we receive and dollar we spend. We are accountable to the highest standards of ethics, and respect the privacy of our donors.

Inclusivity

We value diversity and different perspectives. We strive to create an accessible, safe and welcoming space for all.

Compassion

We treat everyone with kindness. We empathize with patients, their care partners and the Guelph General Hospital team.

Collaboration

We work as a team and with our donors, volunteers, hospital colleagues and other partners to make our community a stronger, healthier place for all. We match donor passion with impact.

Innovation

We welcome creativity and forward thinking. We believe that small improvements over time make a difference. We also embrace big ideas to strengthen our relationships with our donors and meet hospital needs.

Not everyone fits neatly into a box. We value the new perspectives and skills that divergent experience brings. If you have transferrable skills from other areas and feel you can make a meaningful contribution to our work, please apply.

About Us

The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital exists to transform healthcare through giving. Donors make it possible for the Hospital to purchase 100% of the equipment used in patient care—from life-saving technology to everyday tools that support safety and quality. Together, we’re creating a healthier future for our community.

Learn more about us: https://gghfoundation.ca/

Our Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital is dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse work environment that values every individual's unique perspective, background, and abilities. We welcome applications from candidates from different backgrounds, expertise, personalities, talents, and ideas. We treat everyone with kindness and care for one another, making people feel welcome and free to be themselves. As we strive to create an accessible, safe and welcoming space for all, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities during recruitment.

As part of our commitment to health and safety, all Foundation staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to applicable accommodations.