Major Gifts & Donor Relations Officer | Calgary Academy

Calgary Academy & the Headwater Learning Foundation

Position Type: Continuous

Location: Calgary, Alberta ( Hybrid)

Apply Link – https://calgaryacademy.com/careers/current-opportunities/

Join Us in Transforming Education

At Headwater Learning Foundation (HLF), we’re on a mission to redefine education and empower learners to thrive. As a not-for-profit organization, HLF supports the operations of Calgary Academy (CA) while driving innovation and systemic improvements in education through groundbreaking research. With a growing reputation as a leader in mental health and neurodiversity research, HLF is committed to challenging the traditional factory model of education and creating learner-focused solutions that inspire change.

In this role, you’ll directly support the work of Calgary Academy (CA), a pioneer in K-12 education for over 40 years. CA is dedicated to embracing the individuality of every student, offering personalized pathways to success while fostering a lifelong love of learning. Guided by our Four Pillars and the principles of The CA Way, we create vibrant, student-centred experiences that empower learners to lead lives of passion and purpose.

Beyond CA, HLF also supports Headwater Learning Solutions (HLS), a change-making entity focused on driving sustainable improvements in schools, communities, and education systems across North America. Together, these three entities—Calgary Academy, Headwater Learning Foundation, and Headwater Learning Solutions—form the Headwater Learning Group (HLG), united by a shared vision to transform education and unlock every learner’s potential.

About the Role

It’s the Place to Empower & Be Empowered.

The primary responsibility the Major Gifts & Donor Relations Officer occupies a central role within the Philanthropy team, leading the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift donors in support of Calgary Academy, Headwater Learning Foundation, and Headwater Learning Solutions. With a focus on gifts of $10,000 and above, this role drives revenue for strategic priorities and the capital campaign, and develops a planned giving program to build lasting legacy commitments to the organization.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Advancement you’ll collaborate across departments, bring creativity to your strategies, and exemplify our REACH principles: Respect, Enthusiasm, Altruism, Commitment, and Honesty.

Together, we’ll cultivate connections that inspire lifelong engagement and support the transformative mission of HLG.

Key Responsibilities

Major & Leadership Giving:

• Portfolio Management: Manage a high-impact portfolio of 80–120 active donors and prospects, serving as the primary relationship manager through the full donor cycle (identification to stewardship) with a focus on five- and six-figure gifts.
• Strategic Execution: Develop individualized cultivation and solicitation plans, including the creation of formal proposals, briefing notes, and presentations for staff and volunteers.
• Capital Campaigns: Partner with the Executive Director of Advancement to drive capital campaign priorities, secure commitments, and hit annual revenue targets.
• Administrative Oversight: Manage gift agreements, pledges, and scholarship/award renewals, coordinating closely with Finance and Advancement teams for accurate reporting.
• Leadership Advisory: Provide strategic recommendations and detailed donor background profiles to support leadership during high-level meetings.
• Donor Pipeline Growth: Collaborate with advancement colleagues to transition donors to higher levels of giving and align strategies across various appeals and campaigns.
• Reporting & Analytics: Lead regular donor journey reviews and forecasting, providing updates on pipeline health and revenue progress via Raiser’s Edge NXT.

Planned Giving:

• Program Implementation: Design and execute a planned giving program for Calgary Academy and the Headwater Learning Foundation to secure long-term legacy commitments.
• Prospect Identification: Qualify legacy donors from within the existing major gift pool and the broader community, providing expert guidance through the gift planning process.
• Legacy Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records of all planned giving intentions and conversations in Raiser’s Edge NXT, providing regular revenue projections to the Executive Director.

Donor Relations & Stewardship:

• Tailored Stewardship: Design and deliver personalized stewardship plans that demonstrate impact, honor donor intent, and encourage gift renewals or upgrades.
• Cross-Team Coordination: Partner with the Philanthropy team on gift receipting and the Communications team to produce storytelling content, impact stories, and legacy giving awareness materials.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Relevant Post-Secondary Education or comparable experience.
• 5–7 years of fundraising experience in the not-for-profit sector, with a background in program leadership and annual giving.
• 3–5 years of experience in prospect research and the creation of comprehensive research profiles.
• Demonstrated success in planning and executing fundraising campaigns and events.
• Microsoft Office 365; experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT is considered a significant asset.
• Access to own vehicle and valid driver’s license is a requirement for this role. 
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Checks, must be provided within thirty (30) days of signing the employment contract, with suitability determined at the discretion of the Employer as outlined in the Terms of Employment.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Demonstrated digital fluency and the ability to collaborate effectively in cloud-based environments using Microsoft 365 tools such as Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
• Ability to model self-emotional regulation skills effectively, supporting personal well-being and fostering a positive work environment.
• Commitment to lifelong learning and critical thinking, actively seeking opportunities for professional growth and skill development.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills with the ability to inspire brand support both internally and externally.
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy and the ability to interact effectively with stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Highly organized, task-driven, and comfortable managing competing deadlines and multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to work independently while fostering strong team integration within a collaborative advancement/philanthropy department.

Our Assets

We are passionate about creating a thriving educational environment for our students. However, we recognize that the true heart of our success lies in our dedicated employees who choose to pursue their career passions within the Headwater Learning Group. Our commitment to our employees is centred on your well-being and financial security. We prioritize you and your family by offering extended health and drug coverage inclusive of Dental coverage, access to an Employee & Family Assistance Program, income protection with Long Term Disability in case of unforeseen circumstances, and a Wellness Benefit designed to nurture your physical and mental health and an RRSP matching program to secure your financial future.

Vacation time starting at 4 weeks plus, winter break which is about 2 weeks. To promote work-life balance, we offer a Personal Day, 10 Sick Days/Family Caregiving Days to use as required, and Top-Up Programs for Maternity and Paternity leaves, granting you the flexibility and support necessary for personal well-being and caring for your family members.

We are all learners, and this philosophy underpins our entire organization. We are committed to creating a collaborative work environment where every team member can grow and develop. Our belief in continuous learning is a core value and a driving force behind our strategic plan. We provide professional learning opportunities to all employees, ensuring that personal growth and development are encouraged and actively nurtured. By fostering a culture of learning and collaboration, we empower our team members to reach their full potential and contribute to the shared success of the Calgary Academy Community.

Details

This position’s starting annual salary is $87,000 to $96,000 and will be determined depending on a candidate’s experience and competencies.

This position offers a hybrid working environment which allows for remote and onsite hours required each week. The standard work hours are 7.5 hours, with flexible start times from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Occasional evening and weekend work could be required.

Aligning Values:

Please apply online through the Calgary Academy Careers Page (via ADP) and include in your application package the following information:    

• A resume that demonstrates your skills and experience.
• What specifically drew you to apply for this opportunity with Calgary Academy and the Headwater Learning Foundation?
• What about our mission resonates with you?

Please submit your application without delay to be considered for this role. We will begin reviewing applications right away and the posting will remain open until the position is filled.   

We wish to thank all candidates for their interest in Calgary Academy and the Headwater Learning Foundation, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.