National Director, Business Development & Advancement (Major Gifts)

Lead the Growth of Transformational Philanthropy Across Canada  

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) is seeking a strategic and relationship-driven fundraising leader to build and grow, our national major gifts program. This is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping the vision, leadership, and strategy to expand philanthropic revenue, strengthen donor engagement, and build a sustainable pipeline of transformational giving across Canada.

This role will lead a team of major gift professionals while personally managing relationships with high-capacity donors, volunteers, and philanthropic partners. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the future of major gifts fundraising at LLSC and advancing the mission. If you are energized by developing high-performing fundraising teams, securing transformational gifts, and building programs that create lasting impact, we would love to hear from you.  

About LLSC  

At the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, we are committed to improving the lives of Canadians affected by blood cancers through research, advocacy, support services and community engagement.  As we continue to grow and evolve, we are investing in a modern philanthropy program focused on meaningful donor relationships, long-term engagement, and transformational giving opportunities that advance our mission.  

We offer a flexible, collaborative, and mission-driven environment where employees are empowered to lead, innovate, and make a meaningful difference.  

About the Role 

The National Director, Business Development & Advancement provides strategic leadership for LLSC’s national major gifts program. The role is responsible for designing and implementing the strategies, systems and donor engagement approaches required to grow major gift revenue across Canada.

The Director will lead a team of major gift professionals while maintaining a select portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects capable of making transformational philanthropic investments. The successful candidate will be an experienced fundraising leader, who combines strategic thinking with strong relationship building skills and a proven ability to develop people, programs and revenue results.  

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership 

• Set the vision and direction for LLSC’s National Business Development & Advancement program (Major Gifts)  
  Drive program growth, revenue performance, and long-term philanthropic investment  

Team Leadership 

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing advancement team


• Establish goals, accountability measures, and fundraising best practices 

Fundraising & Relationship Management 

• Personally manage and cultivate a portfolio of high-capacity donors


• Secure transformational and multi-year philanthropic investments  

Program Development 

• Build scalable strategies, processes, and donor engagement plans that strengthen and mature the major gifts program 

Organizational Partnership  

• Collaborate across LLSC to connect donor interests with mission priorities and organizational funding needs  

What Success Looks Like

In this role, success means:  

• Growing philanthropic revenue through major gifts and transformational giving


• Expanding and strengthening LLSC’s national donor pipeline 


• Building a sustainable and scalable major gifts program


• Developing a high-performing fundraising team


• Increasing donor retention and long-term engagement  


• Strengthening cross-functional collaboration and philanthropic culture


• Advancing LLSC’s mission through meaningful donor partnerships  

What You Bring 

Experience 

• 7-10+ years progressive experience in fundraising, philanthropy, advancement or major gifts


• Demonstrated success securing major and transformational gifts


• Experience leading fundraising teams and managing performance


• Proven track record building and growing fundraising programs, pipelines and revenue results


• Experience managing complex donor relationships and high-value portfolios


• Experience developing fundraising strategies and translating them into measurable outcomes 

Knowledge & Skills  

• Strong understanding of major gifts fundraising principles, donor engagement and moves management 


• Exceptional relationship building and influencing skills 


• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term vision and day-to-day execution  


• Strong coaching and leadership capabilities


• Excellent communication, presentation and storytelling skills


• Experience working with CRM systems, fundraising analytics and pipeline reporting  


• Ability to collaborate effectively with senior leaders, volunteers and donors

Personal Attributes 

• Relationship focused and highly collaborative 


• Strategic, innovative and growth-oriented


• Results-driven while maintaining a donor-centered approach


• Comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity


• Passionate about mission-driven work and community impact
  

Primary Location: As this role has a national scope, candidates may reside in any province where LLSC operates.

Preference may be given to candidates located in the Greater Toronto or Metro Vancouver area.  

Regular travel across Canada is required to support donor engagement, fundraising activities and team leadership.  
This is a highly relationship-based role with significant time dedicated to donor meetings and external engagement.  
Flexible and hybrid work environments are supported.

Preferred Qualifications

• CFRE designation or equivalent fundraising credentials considered an asset


• Experience with campaign fundraising, principal gifts or planned giving initiatives


• Bilingual (English/French) is an asset