Senior Development Officer, Direct Response
About the role
VACANCY: Senior Development Officer, Direct Response
REPORTS TO: Associate Director, Direct Response
LOCATION: Toronto, Ontario (hybrid working model)
STATUS: 18-Month Contract
No. of VACANCIES : One (1).This posting is for an existing vacancy for which we are currently undertaking recruitment
SALARY RANGE: $89,000 - $94,000 per annum
Please note: This range reflects the expected compensation for the candidates who meets the stated qualifications. Actual pay may vary based on experience, education, and internal compensation practices.
ABOUT UHN FOUNDATION
Part of University Health Network (UHN), Canada’s #1 hospital, UHN Foundation raises funds for research, education and excellence in patient care at Toronto General and Toronto Western hospitals, Toronto Rehab and The Michener Institute of Education at UHN. Our donor community is UHNITED to help us change the status quo of healthcare – helping recruit and train the brightest medical minds from around the world, develop new treatments for disease, and advance bold medical research.
As of February 2026, UHN’s Toronto General Hospital has been ranked the #2 hospital in the world on Newsweek’s 2026 World’s Best Hospitals list, marking the highest position ever achieved by a Canadian Hospital. This also marks the eighth consecutive year that University Health Network has been ranked as the world’s #1 universally accessible hospital. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care.
The Foundation´s vision and mission is to enable global leadership and innovation in health by developing strong relationships with UHN stakeholders. We are committed to supporting UHN's vision to create a healthier world by embodying our values of integrity, accountability, collaboration and inclusion.
Together with our donors, we are helping Canada’s #1 hospital reimagine healthcare.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Development Officer, Direct Response is responsible for the acquisition and retention of all Annual Giving donors up to $5,000 at UHN, providing the Foundation with a source of unrestricted revenue from mass market donors.
This role works with multiple channels across multiple segments and audiences, aiming to drive unrestricted revenue for the Foundation. This SDO works to grow acquisition and retention programs, develop and implement donor journeys to improve donor loyalty, and test new opportunities to engage new and existing audiences.
This role requires expertise to respond to market trends to maximize revenue by improving retention, renewal and acquisition of Annual Giving donors, and increase revenue per donor. This role has a specific focus on revenue generation through direct and digital mass market fundraising.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Revenue Generation
- Developing, implementing and ongoing management of programs to acquire and retain one-time gift donors
- Develop and maintain Direct Response budget, building strategies and recommendations to improve acquisition, retention and LTV of Annual Giving donors
- Oversee strategy and project management for all channel execution including but not limited to direct mail, email marketing, digital, telemarketing and SMS.
- Management of internal and external partners to develop fundraising materials and optimize results (Production manager, copywriters, designers, internal gift admin team, BI team, Marketing team), web development team, this includes developing project briefs, communication throughout projects and campaigns to ensure positive and proactive relationships.
Data and Reporting & Program Management
- Monitor and evaluate campaign and portfolio performance providing regular updates to Associate Director, Direct Response including preparing and sharing ongoing KPI reports
- Build and maintain Program expenses and revenue, including maintaining and updating detailed monthly financial spreadsheets and forecasting
- Develop and maintain multi-channel Donor Journey and Welcome Series,
- Maintain direct mail program including solicitations and stewardship for existing donors and past patient acquisition mailings
- Work closely with Digital team to plan and manage both social media, search, and paid digital campaigns through targeting existing donors and new audiences.
- Gather industry best practices and new trends and innovations through regular sector monitoring and networking in order to test and optimize portfolio performance
- Be the central hub in the Foundation for assistance with mail strategy and production
- Work with SDO, Monthly to develop a pathway to Monthly Giving through Welcome journey and ongoing email and mail communications
- Monitor response rates and renewal rates of donors on an ongoing basis and develop and implement strategies to encourage renewal and revenue per donor increase
- Developing program budget and ongoing optimization of spend and performance of multi-channel campaigns
- Managing competing timelines and priorities
Administration
- Manage invoice tracking and program fulfillment
- Ensure all files are maintained and in good working order
- Manage mail and mail upload to RE with BI team
- Performs other duties as assigned or requested
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- 3-5 years of relevant and progressive work experience in a fundraising role
- A university degree or college diploma in Fundraising, Marketing or a related
- Excellent project management skills with strong attention to detail and ability to multi-task
- Understanding of key drivers of donor acquisition, loyalty and long-term value
- Experience managing internal and external partners to deliver campaigns on time and on budget
- Understanding of direct response metrics, analysis, and effective marketing best practices across multiple channels including print and digital
- Computer literacy: Familiarity with The Raiser´s Edge or other CRM database required, along with comfort in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
- Ability to work in a fast paced and results oriented environment
- Regular business hours, with occasional weekend and evenings required
- Familiarity with The Raiser´s Edge or other CRM database an asset, along with
- Comfort in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) required
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Fast-paced, service and results oriented environment
- May have some activity outside of the office to support meetings
- The Foundation has a hybrid work model. Staff will be required to be in office a minimum of 2 days per week and will be required to have a safe home office set up for the remainder of the working days (specifics to be planned with your manager).
- Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues in all positions throughout the Foundation
- Shared commitment and support of the overall Foundation goals
University Health Network thanks all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. UHN has a diverse workforce and is an equal-opportunity employer.
Please note: All applicant screening and evaluation for this role are carried out manually by our recruitment team. We do not leverage AI in any part of the hiring process.
Deadline to Apply: Monday, March 16th, 2026
Senior Development Officer, Direct Response
About the role
VACANCY: Senior Development Officer, Direct Response
REPORTS TO: Associate Director, Direct Response
LOCATION: Toronto, Ontario (hybrid working model)
STATUS: 18-Month Contract
No. of VACANCIES : One (1).This posting is for an existing vacancy for which we are currently undertaking recruitment
SALARY RANGE: $89,000 - $94,000 per annum
Please note: This range reflects the expected compensation for the candidates who meets the stated qualifications. Actual pay may vary based on experience, education, and internal compensation practices.
ABOUT UHN FOUNDATION
Part of University Health Network (UHN), Canada’s #1 hospital, UHN Foundation raises funds for research, education and excellence in patient care at Toronto General and Toronto Western hospitals, Toronto Rehab and The Michener Institute of Education at UHN. Our donor community is UHNITED to help us change the status quo of healthcare – helping recruit and train the brightest medical minds from around the world, develop new treatments for disease, and advance bold medical research.
As of February 2026, UHN’s Toronto General Hospital has been ranked the #2 hospital in the world on Newsweek’s 2026 World’s Best Hospitals list, marking the highest position ever achieved by a Canadian Hospital. This also marks the eighth consecutive year that University Health Network has been ranked as the world’s #1 universally accessible hospital. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care.
The Foundation´s vision and mission is to enable global leadership and innovation in health by developing strong relationships with UHN stakeholders. We are committed to supporting UHN's vision to create a healthier world by embodying our values of integrity, accountability, collaboration and inclusion.
Together with our donors, we are helping Canada’s #1 hospital reimagine healthcare.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Development Officer, Direct Response is responsible for the acquisition and retention of all Annual Giving donors up to $5,000 at UHN, providing the Foundation with a source of unrestricted revenue from mass market donors.
This role works with multiple channels across multiple segments and audiences, aiming to drive unrestricted revenue for the Foundation. This SDO works to grow acquisition and retention programs, develop and implement donor journeys to improve donor loyalty, and test new opportunities to engage new and existing audiences.
This role requires expertise to respond to market trends to maximize revenue by improving retention, renewal and acquisition of Annual Giving donors, and increase revenue per donor. This role has a specific focus on revenue generation through direct and digital mass market fundraising.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Revenue Generation
- Developing, implementing and ongoing management of programs to acquire and retain one-time gift donors
- Develop and maintain Direct Response budget, building strategies and recommendations to improve acquisition, retention and LTV of Annual Giving donors
- Oversee strategy and project management for all channel execution including but not limited to direct mail, email marketing, digital, telemarketing and SMS.
- Management of internal and external partners to develop fundraising materials and optimize results (Production manager, copywriters, designers, internal gift admin team, BI team, Marketing team), web development team, this includes developing project briefs, communication throughout projects and campaigns to ensure positive and proactive relationships.
Data and Reporting & Program Management
- Monitor and evaluate campaign and portfolio performance providing regular updates to Associate Director, Direct Response including preparing and sharing ongoing KPI reports
- Build and maintain Program expenses and revenue, including maintaining and updating detailed monthly financial spreadsheets and forecasting
- Develop and maintain multi-channel Donor Journey and Welcome Series,
- Maintain direct mail program including solicitations and stewardship for existing donors and past patient acquisition mailings
- Work closely with Digital team to plan and manage both social media, search, and paid digital campaigns through targeting existing donors and new audiences.
- Gather industry best practices and new trends and innovations through regular sector monitoring and networking in order to test and optimize portfolio performance
- Be the central hub in the Foundation for assistance with mail strategy and production
- Work with SDO, Monthly to develop a pathway to Monthly Giving through Welcome journey and ongoing email and mail communications
- Monitor response rates and renewal rates of donors on an ongoing basis and develop and implement strategies to encourage renewal and revenue per donor increase
- Developing program budget and ongoing optimization of spend and performance of multi-channel campaigns
- Managing competing timelines and priorities
Administration
- Manage invoice tracking and program fulfillment
- Ensure all files are maintained and in good working order
- Manage mail and mail upload to RE with BI team
- Performs other duties as assigned or requested
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- 3-5 years of relevant and progressive work experience in a fundraising role
- A university degree or college diploma in Fundraising, Marketing or a related
- Excellent project management skills with strong attention to detail and ability to multi-task
- Understanding of key drivers of donor acquisition, loyalty and long-term value
- Experience managing internal and external partners to deliver campaigns on time and on budget
- Understanding of direct response metrics, analysis, and effective marketing best practices across multiple channels including print and digital
- Computer literacy: Familiarity with The Raiser´s Edge or other CRM database required, along with comfort in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
- Ability to work in a fast paced and results oriented environment
- Regular business hours, with occasional weekend and evenings required
- Familiarity with The Raiser´s Edge or other CRM database an asset, along with
- Comfort in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) required
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Fast-paced, service and results oriented environment
- May have some activity outside of the office to support meetings
- The Foundation has a hybrid work model. Staff will be required to be in office a minimum of 2 days per week and will be required to have a safe home office set up for the remainder of the working days (specifics to be planned with your manager).
- Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues in all positions throughout the Foundation
- Shared commitment and support of the overall Foundation goals
University Health Network thanks all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. UHN has a diverse workforce and is an equal-opportunity employer.
Please note: All applicant screening and evaluation for this role are carried out manually by our recruitment team. We do not leverage AI in any part of the hiring process.
Deadline to Apply: Monday, March 16th, 2026