Director of Strategy and Partnerships

Our employer partner, a national charitable organization that serves refugees and newcomers from diverse backgrounds, is currently looking to add an experienced Director of Strategy and Partnerships to their team!

Job Overview:

This role will have two equally important mandates: helping shape organizational strategy, program growth, and expanding the partnerships, relationships and funding opportunities that support the organization’s long-term sustainability and impact.

Working closely with the Executive Director as a senior organizational leader, the Director will translate the organization's strategic priorities into practical plans, identify opportunities for program growth and innovation, and ensure new initiatives are responsive to community needs, financially viable, and aligned with the organization’s mission.

Equally, the Director will strengthen the organization’s external positioning and network across government, the private sector, philanthropy, foundations and the nonprofit sector.

The successful candidate will bring established professional relationships and a demonstrated ability to leverage and expand networks to create meaningful opportunities for the organization.

They will be a highly collaborative leader who can work effectively across programs, finance, communications, and senior leadership to advance organizational priorities.

This is a senior, externally facing role for someone who can move comfortably between strategy and execution, from assessing a new program opportunity or developing a multi-year plan to engaging a government official, cultivating a corporate partner or leading a major funding proposal.

Key Responsibilities:

Organizational Strategy and Program Growth

• Translate long-term organizational goals into practical workplans with clear
  responsibilities, timelines, and measures of success.

• Monitor government policy, community needs, sector trends, and the funding environment to assess implications and opportunities for the organization.

• Identify opportunities to expand programs, reach new communities, and advance strategic areas of impact.

• Work with program leads to ensure services remain responsive to the needs of refugees and newcomers.

• Use program data, research, and community feedback to assess results, identify
  opportunities for improvement and innovation, and demonstrate impact.

Partnerships, Fund Development and External Relations

• Develop and lead relationship and partnership strategy across government, corporations, foundations, philanthropy, and other strategic sectors.

• Cultivate and leverage senior relationships to expand the organization's network, strengthen its profile, and open opportunities for funding, partnerships, sponsorships, and program collaboration.

• Identify and engage strategic partners whose priorities align with their mission, tailoring approaches to build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.

• Build and oversee a diversified pipeline of funding and partnership opportunities, including major grants, corporate giving, philanthropy, and strategic collaborations.

• Lead or oversee major funding proposals, partnership pitches, and expressions of interest, working closely with the Executive Director on high-value opportunities.

• Strengthen existing partnerships by ensuring commitments are delivered, relationships are sustained, and opportunities are converted into tangible outcomes.

Government Relations and External Engagement

• Lead and strengthen relationships with elected officials, senior public servants, government agencies, and other key stakeholders across municipal, provincial, and federal governments.

• Monitor government priorities, public policy, and funding developments affecting refugees, newcomers, and the charitable sector, and identify opportunities for the organization to contribute its expertise and community perspective.

• Advise and prepare the Executive Director and leadership team for high-level engagements,
  including briefings, meetings, roundtables, consultations, and public events.

• Identify and facilitate strategic introductions and engagement opportunities with government, corporate, philanthropic, and sector leaders to advance organizational priorities.

• Represent the organization, alongside the Executive Director, at conferences, roundtables, community meetings, and other strategic forums.

• Build collaborative relationships with community and sector partners while safeguarding the organization's non-partisan charitable mandate and ensuring refugee and newcomer perspectives inform external discussions.

Leadership and Internal Collaboration

• Serve as a member of their senior leadership team, contributing to organization-wide strategy, priorities, and decision-making.

• Lead and support staff and project teams, setting priorities, providing direction, and fostering accountability and professional growth.

• Drive cross-functional alignment across programs, finance, operations, communications, and strategic initiatives.

• Support Board reporting, governance materials, and preparation for Board meetings.

• Represent the Executive Director in internal and external engagements as required.

• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and respectful organizational culture.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in organizational strategy, nonprofit leadership, partnerships, fund development, government relations, program development, or a related field.

• 3+ years of experience managing staff and/or leading strategic initiatives.

• A university degree in public policy, nonprofit management, business, social sciences, or a related field is an asset; equivalent education and experience will be considered.

• Experience translating strategy into action, developing or expanding programs, and using data and community needs to inform priorities and outcomes.

• Proven ability to build and leverage senior-level relationships across government, corporations, foundations, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector to generate funding, partnerships, and other opportunities.

• Experience leading grant applications, partnership proposals, and funding opportunities is an asset.,

• Strong communication, writing, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to balance strategic thinking and execution.

• Strong judgment and ability to manage competing priorities, sensitive information, and complex stakeholder relationships.

• Knowledge of issues affecting refugees, newcomers, and marginalized communities is strongly preferred.

• Must be based in the Greater Toronto Area and able to attend meetings and events across the region; access to a reliable vehicle is an asset.

We thank all applicants interested in this opportunity; however, please note that only selected candidates will be contacted regarding next steps.

Recruitment Transparency & Compliance Statement

Jumpstart Refugee Talent advertises Ontario-based employment opportunities in alignment with the Employment Standards Act (ESA) job posting requirements effective January 1, 2026.

As a third-party sourcing organization, Jumpstart reviews publicly advertised postings to support compliance with applicable requirements, including:

• Review of compensation disclosures

• Prohibition on “Canadian experience” requirements

• Disclosure of artificial intelligence use (where applicable)

• Maintenance of posting records for compliance purposes

• Procedures to identify and address potentially fraudulent or misleading job postings

Jumpstart does not conduct hiring or make employment decisions. Employers remain responsible for final recruitment processes and employment determinations.