Development Officer, Strategic Partnerships

Full-Time Permanent

About Us

The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) has been serving Edmonton and area since 1907, dedicated to helping people and pets thrive, together. As a leader in animal welfare, we go beyond sheltering homeless animals — shaping a community that values the human-animal bond through advocacy, education, and accessible support services.

Our mission is to enrich the lives of people and companion animals through sheltering animals in need, supporting pet guardians, engaging with our community and inspiring compassion. Guided by our values of compassion, trust, improvement, results, inclusivity and teamwork, we work toward a more humane and connected community for all.

The Role

The Development Officer, Strategic Partnerships is responsible for cultivating, maintaining, and growing donor and community support and revenue opportunities, with a focus on corporate partnerships and philanthropy. This role identifies and engages corporate, foundation, and community partners, and designs partnership opportunities that increase financial support, program visibility, and community impact. The Development Officer, Strategic Partnerships is a strong relationship-builder with excellent communication skills and a passion for animal welfare, leading a portfolio of partnerships to drive revenue and deepen community impact. This position reports to the Manager, Fund Development and works collaboratively across teams to expand corporate partnerships.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Corporate and Foundation Partnerships

• Serve as the primary point of contact for corporate, foundation, and granting partners, ensuring consistent, high-quality communication, stewardship, and relationship management.
• Grow philanthropic investment, including cash and in-kind support, by stewarding existing partners and identifying, qualifying, and soliciting new corporate and foundation partners.
•  Research and apply best practices and trends in partnership giving and donor development, and conduct outreach calls and meetings to deepen partner engagement and support departmental goals.
• Build and expand mutually beneficial partnerships that support the Edmonton Humane Society, while overseeing accurate and up-to-date donor data management in Raiser’s Edge (BBMS), including contact reports, proposals, and prospect tracking.

Sponsorship

• Lead event sponsorship for EHS by stewarding existing sponsors, building new sponsor relationships, and achieving annual sponsorship revenue targets.
• Develop sponsorship materials, including packages, grids, and activation plans, in collaboration with the Communications team and Events Coordinator.
• Create and deliver value-added engagement opportunities for sponsors before, during, and after events, and provide ongoing stewardship to strengthen relationships.
• Promote and manage Kennel Sponsorship, Shelter Takeover, and other interactive EHS sponsorship opportunities to enhance sponsor engagement and support.

Grant Research, Writing & Management

• Identify, research, and evaluate grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Write and submit letters of intent, grant proposals, narratives, budgets, and reports aligned with organizational priorities.
• Maintain and manage a comprehensive grants calendar to track deadlines, reporting requirements, and stewardship activities, and lead all grant reporting.
• Collaborate with Finance and Communications teams to gather financial data, outcomes, and impact stories required for strong grant applications.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Lead cross-functional team meetings to develop and activate corporate partnership initiatives to ensure alignment on deliverables, timelines and partner expectations.
• Oversee internal corporate donation requests (cash, gift in kind, sponsorship and grants) as the primary point of contact, leveraging corporate partnerships when appropriate to secure prize items and incentives that support staff and volunteer engagement and shelter programs.

Education & Requirements

• Certificate, diploma, or degree in a related field (fund development, business, marketing, communications, public relations, or social sciences).
• Minimum three to five years of experience in strategic partnership development within nonprofit, corporate relations, or business development settings, with demonstrated success building relationships with corporate partners, sponsors, and community stakeholders.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation, or willingness to work toward CFRE certification, is an asset.
• Familiarity with CRM or partnership management platforms, such as Raiser’s Edge (BBMS).

Skills & Abilities

A successful candidate will bring knowledge, experience, or training in corporate sponsorships, partnership activation, stakeholder relations, and event or campaign support, with demonstrated success securing high-value partnerships or sponsorships through proposal development, negotiation, and stewardship. They will exercise sound judgment, tact, confidentiality, and discretion while maintaining high standards of performance and accountability in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment. Strong planning, organizational, and project management skills are essential, along with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. The ideal candidate is a proactive, adaptable, and solutions-oriented professional committed to continuous personal and professional development and collaborative fundraising success.

What we offer

Joining EHS means becoming part of a compassionate and dedicated team working toward a more humane community. You’ll be surrounded by passionate professionals who care deeply about what they do — for animals, for people, and for each other.

At EHS, we offer more than just a job — we offer meaningful work, growth opportunities, and a supportive environment where you can thrive.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Meaningful work that makes a tangible impact in our community
• Supportive leadership and a collaborative, inclusive culture
• Opportunities for growth, learning, and professional development
• A strong focus on employee well-being and work–life balance

Compensation & Benefits

The Development Officer, Strategic Partnerships  role is classified in Pay Band 5, with a pay range of $59,344.06–$78,915.20 per year, commensurate with the successful candidate’s education and experience.

• EHS offers a competitive not-for-profit compensation package, which includes:
• Comprehensive health and dental coverage, including a Health Care Spending Account
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) for personal, family and professional support
• RRSP/DPSP matching program to help you plan for the future
• Paid personal days, vacation, and bereavement time — including for pets
• Discounts on EHS programs and services
• Opportunities for personal and professional learning and growth

Hours of Work

• Standard hours: 40 hours per week; however, this position is expected to work the hours necessary to fulfill departmental responsibilities.
• Flexibility may be required for evenings, weekends or special events.
• Eligibility for a hybrid work arrangement may be considered based on organizational requirements.

OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION & SAFETY

The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) was founded on the principles of creating positive change in our community. Our hiring practices embrace compassion, support for our staff and volunteers, and our role as a community leader.

We believe that a culture of belonging — where people’s unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued and respected — strengthens our ability to serve both animals and people. Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and reconciliation helps us support pet guardians facing access-to-care challenges, strengthen the human-animal bond, and build a more compassionate, engaged, and inclusive society.

EHS is also a COR-certified employer, recognized by Alberta’s Certificate of Recognition program for maintaining the highest standards of health and safety for our staff, volunteers and the animals in our care. 

Please submit your application by February 25, 2026.