Department: Wildlife Conservancy

Rate of Pay: $85,000-$105,000 per year

Duration: Starting ASAP, 18-month contract (Non-Permanent)

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week

Number of Positions Open: 1

Looking for a career with a dynamic organization that is committed to protecting wildlife? We are interested in dedicated individuals who are positive, enthusiastic, and passionate about connecting people, animals, conservation science and traditional knowledge to fight extinction. Your Toronto Zoo makes animal well-being a priority in all operations and shows respect for all wildlife.

Apply Online byApril 15, 2026.

**Position Purpose:**The Stewardship & Development Manager is a dynamic professional fundraiser focused on retention and growth. They will play a pivotal role in developing, implementing, and optimizing a comprehensive donor stewardship program for individuals, corporations, and family foundations. This 18 month contract position will design and execute a stewardship strategy tailored by prospect level—focusing on donor retention, personalized engagement, identification of emerging major gift prospects, and recognition.

Working collaboratively across the development team, particularly with the Manager, Annual Giving and Engagement, this role will strengthen moves management practices, elevate donor experience, and support the growth of the mid level giving program. The ideal candidate is a relationship builder, strategic thinker, and skilled project manager who thrives in a mission driven environment.

##Core Role Responsibilities:

Stewardship Strategy & Program Development

• Create and implement a best-in-class, creative, and thoughtful stewardship strategy for all segments.
• Establish consistent practices for agreements, acknowledgments, recognition, impact reporting, and donor communications.
• Develop stewardship matrix and touch point calendars to increase retention and deepen donor engagement.
• Lead the development and refinement of a mid level donor program (e.g., $5,000–$50,000), aimed at retention, revenue growth and pipeline development.
• Effectively steward lead donors to support renewal and identify major giving potential.

Revenue Generation

• Create a mid-level gift development plan that increases revenue through corporate contributions, individual gifts, and family foundations.
• Portfolio management - proactively identify, cultivate, and solicit new donors and funding opportunities in the $5,000 to $50,000 range.
• Create tailored fundraising materials, proposals, gift agreements, etc. to align the prospective funder and programming areas.
• Ensure database is accurate and up to date for all prospects and donor records, including reporting and financial tracking, ensuring targets are hit.
• Provide major gift cultivation support to the Executive Director including prospect research, donor meeting prep, and tracking pertinent donor activities.

Moves Management & Donor Pipeline Support

• Work closely with the Executive Director and Manager, Annual Giving and Engagement to implement and enhance moves management systems.
• Identify, research, and qualify donors with the potential for major gift cultivation.
• Track, document, and analyze stewardship activities within the CRM to support informed decision making.

Donor Engagement

• Serve as a frontline stewardship contact for donors, connecting by phone, email, and in person.
• Conduct stewardship visits, donor thank you calls, and impact-focused engagement opportunities (e.g., tours, behind the scenes experiences, presentations, etc.).
• Ensure a warm, consistent, and mission forward donor experience at every touchpoint.
• Professionally represent the organization at internal and external events, networking and building relationships.

Recognition & Reporting

• Oversee donor recognition across all channels in alignment with established guidelines.
• Project manage donor reports, impact updates, and customized reporting for mid level and major gift donors.
• Partner with program, animal care, operations, and communications team members to gather meaningful stories, outcomes, and impact data for stewardship materials.

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Work collaboratively with all members of the fundraising and communications teams to integrate stewardship messaging and donor-centric practices.
• Partner with the Manager, Annual Giving and Engagement to ensure accurate data capture and reporting for stewardship and moves management.
• Support events and donor engagement initiatives as needed.
• Other duties as assigned to support team objectives.

Employee Engagement & People Management

• Provides guidance, coaching, development, and recognition to team members.
• Builds trust by resolving issues, maintaining open, collaborative and transparent communication.
• Respects and values the contribution all staff make to the success of the team and organization.
• Provides opportunities for learning and development.

##Technical Knowledge and Skills:

• 5+ years of experience in stewardship, donor relations, fundraising, or a related nonprofit field.
• Strong understanding of donor lifecycle, donor segmentation, and moves management principles.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with strong storytelling instincts.
• Demonstrated ability to engage directly with donors and build long-term relationships.
• Experience managing complex projects and meeting deadlines with high attention to detail.
• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g. Donor Perfect or similar).
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast paced, mission-driven environment.
• Passion for wildlife conservation, animal welfare, or environmental causes is an asset.
• Strong blend of interpersonal skills, business acumen, entrepreneurial spirit, and creativity.

While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.**The successful candidate may be required to provide a police reference check and/or driver’s abstract, at their own expense as a condition of employment.**Candidates may be required to take a written and/or practical examination relevant to the position.

##Your Toronto Zoovalues the importance of inclusive recruitment practices and strives to create a workplace that reflects and celebrates the rich diversity of our city. Please let us know if you require specificaccommodations to be in place before you begin the interview process.

##Your Toronto Zoo respects the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion and seeks to model these principles in all that we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workforce where all employees feel respected, supported and valued. We strive to create an environment that represents the rich diversity of our guests and our community and encourage applications from all qualified individuals who can contribute to enhancing our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Applications are especially encouraged from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and women.

##Your Toronto Zoo makes animal well-being a priority in everything we do, respecting wildlife, caring for our team, guest and community. We are a welcoming place to visit, volunteer, and work, united by a shared commitment to conservation, connection, and reconciliation. We blend science and traditional knowledge to protect species and their habitats, and we invite others to join us as Guardians of Wild, acting together to ensure wildlife and wild spaces thrive.

##This job posting is for an existing vacancy within our organization.

##Your Toronto Zoo uses artificial intelligence to screen, assess or select applicants.

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