About The Career Foundation:

The Career Foundation is a dynamic non-profit organization and registered charity that offers a wide range of employment, training, and workforce development services to job seekers and employers. Since its inception in 1988, The Career Foundation has steadily expanded its services. Operating out of seven locations in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area, as well as  offices in British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia, we now help thousands of people each year successfully achieve their employment goals. Our team of dedicated professionals has described The Career Foundation as caring, compassionate, innovative, and team-oriented. For more information about us and our services, please visit our website at CareerFoundation.com.

Some of the benefits and features available to our employees include: 

• Competitive compensation
• A comprehensive health benefits plan that includes massage therapy, naturopath services, travel coverage, and much more
• A comprehensive dental insurance plan
• An RRSP Matching benefit
• An Employee & Family Assistance program
• Employee wellness initiatives
• Paid days off for religious observance purposes
• Paid days off for personal wellness purposes

Role Description:

As a member of The Career Foundation’s executive team, the Director, Stakeholder Relations, Resource Development and Growth is responsible for cultivating and managing relationships that advance the mission and growth of the organization. This position plays a pivotal role in The Career Foundation’s growth plan as we expand our programs and impact through building strong partnerships with community organizations, industry leaders, governments, funders, and other stakeholders across Canada.

The Director will lead fund development with the same strategic intensity as stakeholder engagement. This dual focus will ensure The Career Foundation secures diverse and sustainable funding directly through our proposals or through partnerships. They will secure funding opportunities that strengthen and enhance the profile of The Career Foundation as a leader in employment services, workforce development, and shaping the future of work across Canada. This role will also oversee a team of Communications, Partnerships, and Proposal Development professionals to align strategies and efforts that drive defined outcomes.

Position Type:

Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Base Location and Travel Requirements:

The position’s official base location is The Career Foundation’s Head Office at Lawrence Avenue West and Allen Road in North York. The Director will also travel to other company locations within the GTHA, with frequent travel to partner and stakeholder locations across Ontario and other provinces within Canada to fulfill the scope of the position.

The successful candidate should possess a valid Ontario G driver’s licence and have access to a reliable vehicle for frequent travel between Ontario-based locations. The incumbent must also be flexible and available to travel to other provinces as required.

The role will also permit a hybrid-remote work schedule, as approved by the CEO and contingent on scope of work. The hybrid schedule requires a private work-from-home space with reliable high-speed internet. A company laptop, cell phone, and other equipment will be provided.

Vulnerable Sector Check Requirement:

An offer of employment for this opportunity will be contingent on the incumbent providing an acceptable Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC).

Start Date:

As soon as possible

Reporting to:

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Experience level required:

7+ years

Responsibilities include:

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Cultivates and builds strong relationships with key community leaders, governments, businesses, educational institutions, chambers of commerce, other non-profits, and philanthropic organizations across Canada.
• Identifies, vets, and develops opportunities for strategic partnerships that enhance the organization’s programs, services, presence, and impact.
• Formalizes and oversees mutually agreeable partnership agreements that support the mission of participating organizations.
• Organizes and facilitates meetings, workshops, and events to foster collaboration and share best practices.
• Represents the organization at external events, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.

Government Relations & Advocacy

• Monitors government priorities and policy developments at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels that impact employment, training, workforce development, and the non-profit sector.
• Develops and executes strategies to engage with elected officials, their staff, and relevant government agencies.
• Prepares and delivers compelling presentations, briefs, and policy recommendations to advance the organization’s mission.
• Represents the organization at government and funder announcements, committee meetings, and other government-led initiatives.
• Identifies and pursues government funding opportunities and grants, leading proposal development.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for external inquiries related to stakeholders and government affairs.

Proposal & Fund Development

• Designs and implements strategies for organizational growth, including new revenue streams.
• Stays abreast of current and upcoming funding opportunities aligned with organizational goals.
• Analyzes calls for proposals and eligibility criteria to assess alignment and strategic fit.
• Writes clear, persuasive, and well-structured funding proposals for government, corporate, and foundation opportunities.
• Collaborates with internal teams to gather data, success stories, and program details to strengthen proposals.
• Tailors proposals to align with funder priorities, criteria, and impact objectives.
• Drives revenue diversification and explores social enterprise models, fee-for-service programs, or earned income strategies.
• Maintains a calendar of upcoming funding opportunities and submission deadlines.
• Supports the development of budgets, work plans, and supporting documentation as needed.
• Maintains a database of funders, partnerships, and proposal outcomes.
• Collaborates with programs to identify opportunities for expansion through stand-alone or partnership initiatives.
• Leads or co-leads annual campaigns, corporate sponsorship drives, and special initiatives.
• Monitors and evaluates fundraising performance, setting clear metrics and goals, and provides regular reports to the leadership team on progress and opportunities.

Communications & Public Affairs

• Oversees the marketing and communications team to develop messaging and materials that effectively convey the organization’s mission, impact, and position.
• Supervises and guides the Manager, Strategic Communications and Proposal Development to drive ongoing proposals with clear fund development goals.
• Prepares reports, briefings, and updates for internal and external audiences on government relations and stakeholder activities.
• Publishes op-eds or blog posts on workforce development challenges and innovations.
• Represents the organization at community forums, conferences, government meetings, and business networking events.

Strategic Planning & Reporting

• Contributes to the organization’s strategic planning process, particularly concerning expanding partnership opportunities for growth.
• Tracks and reports on key performance indicators related to government and stakeholder engagement.
• Stays informed on best practices in government policies, priorities, budgets, and available funding.
• Prepares fund development reports, including funding projections.
• Performs other relevant work as assigned to support the growth and development of the organization.

Qualifications/ Skills Required:

• Post-secondary degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Economics, Business Communications, Public/Government Relations, or a related field is highly preferred. A Master’s degree is considered an asset.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in stakeholder relations, public affairs, advocacy, or fund development with a proven track record of securing major funded contracts, corporate gifts, philanthropic grants, and strategic partnerships.
• Exceptional communication skills, including advanced written and verbal English proficiency, active listening, and the ability to adapt messaging for diverse audiences. Bilingualism in French or another language is considered an asset.
• Skilled in negotiation, relationship-building, and influencing senior stakeholders, with a proven ability to craft compelling proposals and align teams toward shared objectives.
• Proven track record in a results-driven environment and experience meeting assigned targets.
• Demonstrated understanding of legislative and policy-making processes at all levels of government.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong, productive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Must be willing to perform frequent local travel across different communities and provinces to meet the essential requirements of the position.
• Knowledge of the Employment Services industry and the Workforce Development landscape, including challenges faced by job seekers, is considered an asset.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on funding innovation strategies and social impact growth.
• Excellent project and time management skills, with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines and objectives.
• Process- and people-oriented with clear, respectful communication skills and the ability to build trust and rapport across all stakeholder groups.
• Influential leadership capabilities with the ability to align people and resources with objectives and build relationships across teams.
• High ethical standards and confidentiality, consistently exhibiting tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Capacity to identify problems, analyze data, and develop effective solutions.
• Experience designing scenario planning models and managing multiple, competing priorities efficiently.
• High emotional intelligence: demonstrates empathy, builds trust, and understands diverse perspectives.
• Adaptable and resilient, able to navigate ambiguity and dynamically changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, and Office 365 (including MS Teams and SharePoint).
• Tech-savvy with experience using, or the ability to quickly learn, other systems and software such as Power BI and project management tools.
• Proactive and accountable: takes initiative, anticipates needs, and owns outcomes.
• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor and handle sensitive information with the utmost confidentiality and discretion.
• Professional and courteous approach to client service, demonstrating exceptional customer service skills and a strong commitment to upholding the organization’s core values and respect for diversity.
• Willingness and flexibility to occasionally work outside regular business hours for critical meetings and engagements.
• Strong work ethic with a positive attitude and client-centered approach.

The Career Foundation’s Commitment:

The Career Foundation is committed to diversity and inclusion and aims to create a healthy and rewarding environment for all. We welcome applications from qualified individuals who represent the diversity of the people we proudly serve, including, but not limited to, visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and individuals of all genders and sexual orientation. The Career Foundation, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), is also committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. We will work with candidates requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process.