Fundraising development

Position: Senior Development Officer, Partnerships
Organization: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
Location: This position can be based onsite at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in Calgary, AB (with support for a hybrid work arrangement), or performed remotely in Alberta, British Columbia or Ontario.

Join our team at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and help make an impact on wildlife conservation! The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking full-time, permanent Senior Development Officer, Partnerships, who will play a key role in building meaningful relationships and securing corporate support that truly makes an impact on saving wildlife species.

Working in collaboration with the Partnership Business Unit and colleagues across the organization, the Senior Development Officer, Partnerships is responsible for building and facilitating relationships with the corporate community in pursuit of major and transformational investments. The primary focus of this position is cultivating national-level corporate partners, defined as companies with operations in three or more provinces.

The Senior Development Officer, Partnerships should expect to spend nearly 90% of their time attending or planning face-to-face meetings with prospective corporate partners. This includes frequent travel to key markets to attend meetings and events. The Senior Development Officer, Partnerships is responsible for developing a national cultivation strategy, which includes planning the logistics and managing a budget to execute this strategy.

The Senior Development Officer, Partnerships is a senior development professional with a proven track record of identifying, cultivating, and closing major and transformational corporate philanthropic and sponsorship commitments. They are a self-directed and motivated with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.

The Senior Development Officer, Partnerships is an ambassador for the Wilder Institute and Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo to all external audiences. They excel at inspiring others to join us on our journey to restore the balance between wildlife and wild places.

Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.

Our Core Values | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.

Location: This position can be based onsite at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in Calgary, AB (with support for a hybrid work arrangement), or performed remotely in Alberta, British Columbia or Ontario.

Salary Range: $75,000 - $92,000 per year.

What you will do:

• Fundraise major and transformational gifts/sponsorships from the corporate community, with a focus on national brands (defined as companies that operate in a minimum of three provinces);
• Actively build and maintain current relationships while fostering new ones with potential corporate partners with a target minimum annual investment of $100,000. This includes developing and implementing strategies for fundraising programs, partnership inventory, and portfolio growth;
• Establish annual revenue targets and KPI’s for the national partnership/sponsorship program in consultation with the Manager, Partnerships;
• Successfully steward prospects through the major gifts moves management cycle to secure major and transformational partnership/sponsorship commitments;
• Collaborate with other members of the Development team to research ideas and prospects, and contribute to the development of funding proposals, gift agreements, impact reports, and other partner communication materials;
• Responsible for completing detailed partnership value matrixes to determine appropriate return on investment;
• Effectively deliver all fulfillment obligations in collaboration with the Coordinator, Partnership Fulfillment;
• In consultation with the Manager, Partnerships, develop a national corporate cultivation strategy, including the budget planning and management required to effectively deliver on this approach;
• Work closely with Regional fundraising colleagues to advance corporate fundraising in target communities, ensuring coordinated cultivation and stewardship that strengthens opportunities across Canada;
• Engage all internal colleagues in the corporate fundraising process;
• Communicate the Wilder Institute and Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's Purpose and Values nationally, sharing our fundraising priorities and partner impact through storytelling;
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the Partnership Business Unit and the Development team, advising on continuous improvements to ensure the team continuously meets its annual targets;
• Attend relevant corporate events and networking opportunities;
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required;
• Embrace continuous education relevant to the organization and industry best practices;
• Perform other responsibilities as required.

What you will bring:

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred; similar combinations of experience and education will be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years fundraising experience, preferably in corporate philanthropy/sponsorship or major gifts;
• Proven exceptional donor/client relations experience;
• Experience with Tessitura, Raiser's Edge, or other CRM software and general proficiency in the use of MS Office software;
• Experience working on capital fundraising campaigns would be an asset;
• Experience managing relationships with and securing funding from national companies is a strong asset.
• CFRE certification is an asset;
• A valid passport is required along with ability to travel nationally and internationally as required;
• A valid driver’s licence is required;
• Solid understanding of corporate and philanthropic giving and donor/sponsor relationships, including best practices in cultivation, closing, acknowledgement, recognition, and stewardship;
• Ability to take initiative and independently plan, organize, coordinate and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved and where meticulous attention to detail is required;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively persuade people to support the Wilder Institute and Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's work;
• Exceptional active listening skills and demonstrated ability to effectively interpret, organize, and present information and ideas in written or presentation form;
• Ability to identify strong national corporate giving prospects, and the skills and/or network to effectively build meaningful relationships with key decision makers;
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and effectively collaborate with many stakeholders to meet deadlines;
• Ability to work independently, communicate at all levels with confidence, sound judgement, tact, and confidentiality;
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment, prioritize and multi-task;

Working Conditions:

• Work in an open environment with the Development team
• Sitting at a desk, using a computer for long periods of time
• Must be willing to work a variety of hours, including weekends and evenings
• Must be willing to travel nationally and internationally as necessary
• A combination of remote and in-office working arrangements available
• Occasional sustained standing or walking may be required - we are committed to collaborating with the successful candidate to ensure they have the tools they need to be successful.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.

What the Zoo Offers:

• Competitive compensation, vacation and flex days entitlement
• Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account
• Employer matching RRSP program
• Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
• Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan
• A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals

Are you ready to join one of Canada’s leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you.

Apply by doing the following:

1. Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1VH1MBXm0)
2. Prepare you cover letter, incorporating a response to: Please describe your approach to building and maintaining meaningful relationships with the corporate community. We are especially interested in examples that illustrate not just what you accomplished, but also reveal what drives you in this work.
3. Submit your resume with cover letter via our online application system here.
4. Fill in the Application questions:
   1. Confirm eligibility to work in Canada.
   2. If hired, when would you be available to start?
   3. Do you have a driver’s license?
   4. If hired, what are your salary expectations?

Please mention you saw this at rcen.ca or goodwork.ca.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter online by March 27, 2026.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organization’s mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.

All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that they will be contacted once applications have been reviewed and a final decision has been made.