National Director, Leadership Giving

Note: Gerard Search is supporting Breakthrough T1D on this search. Please visit their website and find the posting here. Note that applications will be reviewed as they are received.

We’re excited to share that JDRF Canada is now Breakthrough T1D.

We’re the same organization, with the same mission and determination to realize a world free from type 1 diabetes (T1D) – just with a new name and look that reflects what the T1D community needs now and next.

It’s an exciting time to join Breakthrough T1D as we continue to break barriers to help people better manage the disease and enjoy full, healthy lives. Curing T1D is and always will be our north star and we will not stop until breakthroughs get us to a world free from T1D.

In 2021, Breakthrough T1D Canada launched the $100M Campaign to Accelerate to streamline and speed up the most promising type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. To date, the campaign is helping to fund more than twice as much research as before its launch, making a profound impact by improving diabetes management and prompting more human trials of cure therapies. Powered by our passionate community—individuals, families, companies, foundations, and more—we aim to achieve our goal by mid-2026 to advance life-changing breakthroughs for all people living with T1D.

Breakthrough T1D is growing our Leadership Giving team, and we’re searching for an experienced fundraising strategist and people leader for the new role of National Director, Leadership Giving. If you’re a dynamic, donor‑centered, and strategic fundraising professional who is excited to set the vision for a high‑impact national giving program, lead a talented remote team, and secure transformational philanthropic support, please read on to see if this is the right fit for you.

Here’s what your primary responsibilities would be:

• Leads the development and ensures the successful implementation of a strategic revenue generation plan for Campaigns and Leadership Giving.
• Actively builds and manages a portfolio of 50 – 75+ donors/prospects at the $200,000+ level in various stages of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship and ensures appropriate movement through the pipeline.
• Promotes donor centric culture, where requests from internal and external stakeholders are responded to with a high degree of urgency, relevancy and accuracy.
• Designs strategies to engage internal stakeholders in generating and accelerating major and leadership gift support.
• Assists in identifying, recruiting and developing senior volunteers and works closely with key volunteers and partners in all markets to identify, cultivate and solicit support; In collaboration with the CDO, manages the Campaign Executive Committee
• In conjunction with the National Director Leadership Giving Operations, establishes a systemic, strategic approach to prospect identification and donor pipeline development and management
• Leads the development of an annual business plan and budget in concert with other members of the Breakthrough T1D team; Regularly reports on the progress of business plan achievement and variances
• Leads, coaches, and inspires a team of committed leadership giving staff through one-on-one supervision and overall team management.
• Develops and implements appropriate accountability measurements for leadership giving activities and staff, putting in place rigorous systems, routines, procedures and behaviours to ensure success and growth in this area.
• Actively participates in and supports the Senior Management Team and cross-functional initiatives.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Minimum 8 – 10 years progressive leadership experience in major gift fundraising and campaign development and a University Degree in Business Management, Fundraising or related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 years’ experience in major gift fundraising with experience in securing gifts >$1M
• CFRE an asset
• Experience leading a team of staff, specifically a remote team, and supporting senior volunteers
• Understanding of type 1 diabetes or auto immune conditions and the process of peer-reviewed research is an asset
• Direct management experience with large-scale fundraising initiatives involving significant dollar amounts and implications, a large staff and diverse stakeholder groups
• Bilingual in French and English an asset

Abilities and Other Attributes

• Joy for fundraising, including enthusiasm to make asks and manage donor relationships
• Strong coaching, influencing and relationship skills with staff and volunteers
• Demonstrated ability to lead and implement organizational change and create a culture of accountability
• Demonstrated ability to create a sense of team collaboration and a culture of appreciation
• Strong ability to gain buy-in, find consensus and foster harmonious relations
• Strong business acumen with the ability to assess situations from a multi-stakeholder perspective
• Excellent organizational, time management skills and decision-making skills to achieve performance objectives
• Creative and strategic thinker, energetic and goal oriented

Other position requirements to note:

Location Preference: Breakthrough T1D is a remote-first organization with staff located across Canada. To best support meeting with donors, volunteers and stakeholders the preferred location this role is in or near the Greater Toronto Area or Montreal areas. For the right candidate, locations in other major centers in Canada may be considered.

Depending on location of the incumbent, travel may be up to 30% and a valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle is required.

The salary range for this role is anticipated to be $115,000 to $150,000 commensurate with skills and experience level of the selected candidate.

Application Instructions: Gerard Search is supporting Breakthrough T1D on this search. Please visit their website and find the posting here. Note that applications will be reviewed as they are received.

About Breakthrough T1D

Breakthrough T1D is the leading type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy non-profit organization in Canada. As we drive toward curing type 1 diabetes, we help to make every day better for the people who live with it.

Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) began in Canada as a grassroots organization in 1974, when a group of dedicated parents came together with a singular goal of finding a cure for T1D. Since the discovery of insulin, Breakthrough T1D has remained at the forefront of T1D research. Breakthrough T1D is committed to investing in the most promising research, advocating for progress by working with governments to address issues that impact the T1D community, and supporting individuals living with this disease.

Breakthrough T1D has a company culture rooted in our Core Values of Respect, Understanding and Integrity; Perseverance; Collaboration; Risk Taking and Entrepreneurship; and Efficiency, Effectiveness and Accountability – if our core values are exemplified in the way that you work, we might be a great fit for each other.

Here’s a few details about what Breakthrough T1D employees receive:

Remote-first: Our employees love the convenience and flexibility of working remotely, so all positions are work from home (within Canada).

Health and Wellness Benefits: Benefits to support your physical and mental health – this includes Manulife group benefits, Maple virtual health care, Not Myself Today to support mentally healthy workplaces and generous paid sick time.

Professional Development: We want employees to grow within their roles and have a career at Breakthrough T1D, so we practice Career Development Planning and have a budget for paid development opportunities for each employee.

Other benefits include: Group RRSP Matching Program, winter holiday office closures, flex weeks in the summer and more!

Benefits listed above for regular full-time employees. Not all benefits may be available to part-time or temporary employees.

Recruitment Process: We may review applications as they are received and this position will remain posted until it is filled. Our recruitment process typically includes an initial introductory phone call with an HR team member, and up to two video interviews over MS Teams with the hiring manager and other members of the team. Some positions may require a skills-based evaluation to be completed as a part of the recruitment process. We thank all those applicants that apply, but please note only those selected for an introductory phone call will be contacted after their application is submitted.

Breakthrough T1D strives to foster a workplace that reflects the diversity of the community it serves and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Breakthrough T1D is also committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free selection process and work environment. Please advise if you require any accommodation measures to ensure you will be interviewed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation requests will be treated with confidentiality.

Required Skills


Required Experience