Vice President of Philanthropy

What You've Been Searching For!

You’ve spent years perfecting your craft as a philanthropy professional, and you thrive on the impact you make. It’s what fuels your fire, pushing you through even the toughest moments.

You don’t just care about people and the planet; you’re obsessed with making a difference! You’ve been hunting for that perfect opportunity that fuses philanthropy with your passion for food security and environmental sustainability. It’s the dream role you’ve been waiting for, where every day, you witness the incredible change you can spark.

Your journey with donors and colleagues has been epic, filled with memories and a rock-solid foundation of experience. You’ve crushed significant philanthropic milestones, climbed the leadership ladder, and you know there’s still so much more to achieve. Now, you’re ready to take your impact to the next level, unleashing your high-energy and growth mindset within a national organization set for explosive growth and even greater impact.

Get ready to crush it, both personally and professionally, as you drive the societal and environmental change you’re passionate about. Join forces with committed, motivated, and (dare we say) fun leadership peers and a rapidly expanding philanthropic team.

Enter Second Harvest…

Wait! What? They’re just a food bank, aren’t they?

Not even maybe.

Here’s how Second Harvest aligns with what you’ve been searching for:

They’re proud to support food rescue across Canada, rescuing food from coast to coast to coast, as they work towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
By offering an avenue for food rescue, they’re encouraging businesses to waste less and develop responsible food supply chains. 

SDG 13: Climate Action
By getting surplus food to people, they reduce greenhouse gases created when food goes to landfill. 

SDG 2: Zero Hunger
Feeding people across our country, they’re creating change by building more equitable food systems.

Second Harvest – Take a Closer Look

Driven by a Mission to keep food where it belongs: On plates and out of landfills, and a Vision of No Waste. No Hunger.

Second Harvest is Canada’s largest food rescue organization and is a global thought leader on perishable food redistribution. Their focused work on environmental sustainability and food security is multi-level, from international leadership and national advocacy to deep community impact through partner engagement. With strong brand awareness across the country, Second Harvest’s growing team has strategically primed itself for significant national growth in the coming years.

Programs, Research, Advocacy
Second Harvest is most notably known for its strong legacy in Food Rescue innovation: working with food businesses across the supply chain, including producers, distributors, retailers, hotels, and restaurants, to collect their surplus food, and then connect that food to charities and non-profit organizations, coast to coast to coast – feeding every province and territory. A renowned global thought leader on environmental sustainability and food waste, Second Harvest’s Research focuses on the issues of food waste and food access to specifically identify the real issues and develop innovative, effective solutions. Through Training and Education, Second Harvest passionately advocates for food security by educating non-profits, businesses, and people everywhere about food waste and giving them accurate, actionable information. Additional programs, Harvest Kitchens and Feeding our Future, experience a deep impact in their communities through Second Harvest’s network of local partners.

Team Culture
Second Harvest is an amazing team that works hard every day to rescue good healthy food to feed people and save the planet. Their success is the result of the incredible culture they have been cultivating over many years. As a small but mighty entrepreneurial team, Second Harvest emboldens an adaptive, decisive, efficient, nimble, collaborative, optimistic, positive, hardworking, innovative, transparent, motivating, progressive and autonomous culture. Most importantly, they hold themselves to the highest standards possible, believing it is essential they are accountable to their partners and each other. An essential part of their culture is interconnectedness. Recognizing and understanding interconnectedness is core to their business and something that is essential to our success and culture.

With extensive training on EDI, Second Harvest demonstrates workplace commitment to both inclusivity and an appetite for continual learning. Going beyond legalities, Second Harvest’s authentic inclusion is evident in the strong diverse relationships they have built across the country so that no one goes hungry.

About the Opportunity
Vice President of Philanthropy
Reporting directly to the CEO, the Vice President of Philanthropy will join a dynamic and ambitious team, spearheading the expansion of national philanthropic efforts. This role demands a relentless, results-driven leader and innovator, who excels at building relationships and securing high-impact fundraising opportunities. The VP of Philanthropy will craft and execute cutting-edge philanthropic strategies, guiding the team of three Directors with vision and expertise. With a proven track record in fundraising, exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, and robust team leadership experience, the ideal candidate will be adept at navigating complex data landscapes and driven by a passionate commitment to environmental sustainability and food security.

Qualities Needed to Excel in This Role
Visionary Leader: Capable of influencing and inspiring change while fostering unity and stability, empowering the team to exceed expectations.

Innovative Entrepreneur: Driven by curiosity and creativity, adept at leveraging knowledge and insights to create new opportunities and spearhead innovation.

Passion-Driven: Deeply inspired by the mission of Second Harvest and committed to the vision of “No Waste. No Hunger.”

Agile Thinker: Excels in thinking outside the box with a remarkable ability to adapt quickly in dynamic, efficient, and collaborative environments.

Exemplary Relationship Builder: Boasts exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with a strong executive presence. A polished speaker who excels at building strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

Accountability Champion: Proven track record in developing and executing business plans with sound decision-making skills and the ability to measure and achieve tangible results.

Seasoned Professional: Demonstrated success in building integrated development programs, including corporate sponsorships, foundations, annual, major, planned giving, and signature events.

About the Responsibilities

Leadership

• Cultivate and enhance strategic relationships with donors.
• Exemplify leadership by surpassing business objectives while upholding the organization's vision, mission, and strategic goals.
• Foster regular collaboration with other VPs to drive organizational synergy and philanthropic engagement across all levels.
• Oversee departmental policies and procedures to ensure adherence to donor rights, CRA regulations, and compliance/privacy standards.
• Demonstrate leadership within an empowerment model, showcasing superior team-building and interpersonal capabilities.
• Direct the department's operations, including recruitment, training, support, coaching and mentoring; implement and oversee performance goals, evaluations, and professional development initiatives.
• Collaborate and communicate with colleagues to contribute to and sustain a robust organizational culture.
• Undertake additional responsibilities as required or assigned to advance the organization's overarching objectives.
• Represent the organization at all events, special occasions, and meetings as necessary.

Philanthropy

• Strategically cultivate, manage, and enhance relationships with 25-35 high-value donors, spanning six and seven-figure contributions, including both new and existing partnerships with corporate entities and foundations nationwide.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO, staff, and volunteers to identify promising new prospects and secure unrestricted funding sources.
• Ensure that donor stewardship is exceptional, personalized, and reinforces their connection to Second Harvest and its mission.
• Integrate philanthropic opportunities seamlessly into all organizational publications, grants, reports, and collateral materials.
• Oversee and expand fundraising programs to consistently meet or exceed annual targets.
• Skillfully analyze data to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
• Drive all philanthropic team initiatives to ensure ambitious and escalating targets are set and achieved across various streams (including Annual, Major, and Planned Giving; Foundations; Corporate & Community Partnerships; Specialty Partnerships, and Event Sponsorship) through both traditional and innovative strategies.

Strategic Planning

• Strategic Planning Leader who drives the strategic vision for the philanthropic department by defining and executing ambitious goals and objectives, while ensuring reporting teams are fully supported and empowered.
• Architect and lead a comprehensive national philanthropy strategy, strategically positioning the organization to maximize revenue growth across diverse markets.
• Provide annual planning and oversight for the department, including goal-setting, KPI development, budget management, and human resource allocation, while rigorously monitoring financial performance against approved budgets.
• Influence cross-departmental strategy by engaging in high-level strategic discussions and decision-making processes to shape organizational direction and impact.

About the Requirements

Competencies

• Masterful networking and relationship builder, cultivating deep, trust-based connections with internal and external stakeholders, driving meaningful engagement and collaboration.
• Outstanding communication proficiency with demonstrated ability to articulate organizational vision with clarity and persuasion, inspiring active participation and alignment.
• Strategic time management adept in balancing people management with departmental objectives, optimizing productivity and efficiency.
• Proven donor cultivation success demonstrated with a strong record in nurturing donor relationships, securing contributions, and ensuring sustained stewardship.
• Strategic insight and planning expertise: Provides high-level strategic direction and operational assessment, driving impactful planning and execution.
• Strategic budget management experience: Skilled in crafting and overseeing both strategic and operational budgets, ensuring financial integrity and alignment with goals.
• Advanced analytical skills with expertise in assessment, decision-making, problem-solving, and critical thinking, with a talent for setting and managing priorities.
• Proficient in Raiser's Edge and Financial Edge with strong skills in leveraging these tools for optimized fundraising and financial management.
• Deeply knowledgeable and a passionate advocate for food security and the environment, committed to advancing initiatives in food security and environmental sustainability.
• Comfort with using AI for improving planning and measurement of philanthropic and strategic partnerships

Education and Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency in executive leadership and strategic management roles.
• Accomplished fundraiser and dynamic team leader with deep expertise across diverse fundraising channels.
• Exceptional track record of forging and sustaining impactful, long-term partnerships with corporations and foundations.
• Proven experience in engaging major donors and securing significant contributions.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Canada's national philanthropic landscape.
• Relevant academic credentials.

About the Compensation

Salary and Benefits

• The hiring range for this role is $160,000 - $180,000 CAD
• Cell phone and laptop will be provided.
• Mileage reimbursement in accordance with Second Harvest policy.
• Defined Benefit (DB) pension plan with company match up to 3%.
• Comprehensive health benefits plan and time away program.

Workplace Environment

• The Second Harvest office is located in Etobicoke, Ontario.
• The responsibilities of the VP Philanthropy may be performed hybrid with 60-80% of time required on-site.
• There will be regular local travel for external meetings.

Apply For This Role
Second Harvest strongly encourages applications from all candidates, especially those from equity-deserving groups, including but not limited to racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

Second Harvest is committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment and selection process. Please let us know if you require any accommodations.

Cause Leadership Inc. is managing this leadership search on behalf of Second Harvest.

Individuals interested in being considered for this opportunity are invited to apply below. Please upload your cover letter and resume. The search will remain open until a successful candidate is selected. We thank all interested parties but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.