SENIOR MANAGER, ASSOCIATION PARTNERSHIPS

Are you results-driven fundraising professional with exceptional people skills and a proven ability to work with individuals from all backgrounds? 

Join UNICEF Canada – one of Canada’s most respected and historic charities – and be part of a high-impact, ambitious, and mission-driven team working across Canada and globally to create a better world for children. 

We are seeking a talented individual for the role of Senior Manager, Association Partnerships.

Position Details

Why UNICEF & UNICEF Canada?

UNICEF is the world’s farthest-reaching humanitarian organization for children. Across 190 countries and territories, and in the world’s toughest places, we provide and advocate for education, health and nutrition services. We protect children from violence and abuse. Bring clean water and sanitation to those in need. Keep them safe from climate change and disease. Serve as the world’s largest provider of vaccines. Before, during and after emergencies, we’re on the ground with life-saving help and hope. The needs of children around the world continue to increase and the role of UNICEF is more important than ever.

UNICEF Canada is one of 32 National Committees located in high-income countries around the world. Our team exists to fundraise for UNICEF’s highest priorities, and to work neutrally with governments and the private sector in Canada and internationally to advance the rights and well-being of children and youth.

As UNICEF Canada prepares to launch a bold new Strategic Plan in 2026, a strong, committed team will be foundational to our success. Be part of this next phase of impact!

The Opportunity

As a key member of our dynamic Development team, the Senior Manager, Association Partnerships plays a crucial role in identifying, supporting, and cultivating donor relationships and funding partnerships with organizations that align with UNICEF Canada's revenue goals.

Reporting to the Vice President, Development, you will maximize income and support for UNICEF by forming high-value funding partnerships with organizations committed to improving children's lives and contributing to a sustainable future. This includes faith-based groups, professional and trade associations, community organizations, educational institutions, and diaspora communities in Canada.

You will execute strategies to build trusting, long-lasting relationships with these audiences, ensuring the survival and well-being of children worldwide. Your role involves developing new partnerships and managing donor relationships, overseeing commitments exceeding $1 million annually.

You will work closely with the Development, Individual Giving, and Marketing teams to enhance donor migration across campaigns and initiatives. You will support the creation of tools and resources for relationship managers. A significant part of your role will focus on relationship-building through phone calls and in-person meetings with current and prospective donors, and travel is required.

The ideal candidate is a bilingual fundraising expert with outstanding communication and interpersonal skills. They are a self-motivated professional with a proven ability to connect with diverse stakeholders and a strong track record in donor cultivation, relationship building, and solicitation. If you’re interested in making a difference in children's lives and contributing to a sustainable future, consider applying to this high-impact role!

Key Accountabilities

Revenue Generation (60%)

• With the VP, Development, design and execute a Cultivation and Solicitation Strategy for fundraising partnerships, focused on faith-based groups, professional associations, service organizations, women’s organizations, and grant-making associations.
• Manage a portfolio of prospects and partners, leveraging an existing pipeline while proactively identifying new opportunities.
• Build and nurture strategic, high-value, face-to-face relationships with donors and partners, engaging Senior Leadership and volunteers to support cultivation efforts.
• Partner with key internal stakeholders to develop and implement tailored prospect strategies, leading to successful solicitations and meaningful, inclusive donor engagement.
• Represent UNICEF Canada at key events, delivering impactful presentations and preparing senior leadership and stakeholders with briefing notes, talking points, and presentation materials to maximize engagement and fundraising success.

Stewardship and Retention (30%)

• Collaborate with key internal stakeholders to deliver best-in-class stewardship, ensuring strong donor retention through compelling impact reports, customized engagement assets, and resources (e.g., toolkits, communication materials, webinars, presentations).
• Lead prospecting, cultivation, and stewardship events for UNICEF and key fundraising campaigns, strengthening donor relationships and engagement.
• Partner with key internal stakeholders to develop and implement an annual stewardship plan that positions UNICEF as an industry leader in innovative and meaningful donor engagement, while meeting and exceeding reporting commitments.
• Work cross-functionally with all departments to ensure partnerships are strategically aligned, prioritized, and leveraged to maximize impact across the organization, and refer prospects, leads, and opportunities for other revenue channels, supporting a holistic approach to fundraising.
• Contribute to the creation of marketing and engagement tools that enhance donor relationship management and strengthen engagement.

Planning, Operations & Administration (10%) 

• Support the execution of UNICEF’s multi-year Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) and Annual Operating Plan, ensuring seamless integration across teams.
• Contribute to the development and execution of priority campaigns and initiatives, including emergency response efforts.
• Maintain a deep understanding of UNICEF’s programs, thought leadership, and impact, equipping you to effectively engage with donors and prospects.
• Ensure accurate and timely updates to donor records in Raiser’s Edge and team SharePoint files, tracking outreach, engagement, and solicitation plans for reporting purposes.
• Monitor revenue and expenses, providing timely updates regarding any budget adjustments.
• Represent UNICEF by traveling as needed and attending key events, including occasional evening and weekend commitments.

Additional Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and French (spoken and written).
• Post-secondary education in a relevant field.
• 5+ years of experience in fundraising, business development, or account management, with a strong track record of securing funding and/or managing larger-scale projects.
• Deep understanding of philanthropic motivations, giving mechanisms, and effective fundraising strategies.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking; able to engage diverse audiences with sensitivity and respect.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and foster meaningful connections.
• Proven ability to craft compelling donor-ready proposals, reports, and presentations that are strategic, creative, and aligned with UNICEF’s mission.
• Ability to travel both domestically and internationally as required.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge database management is an asset, including tracking relationships and generating reports.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and other relevant digital tools.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle for work-related travel.
• Collaborative mindset with strong interpersonal skills to engage effectively across teams.
• Strategic, detail-oriented, and resourceful, with the ability to drive new initiatives and optimize existing programs efficiently.

An Employer of Choice: What We Offer

UNICEF Canada is where diverse talent & passion come together to create extraordinary impact for every child. We are committed to being an employer of choice and building a culture that is inclusive, ambitious, compassionate, and high impact. 

Members of the UNICEF Canada team have access to the following employee benefits:

Our Commitment to Inclusive Workplaces & Recruitment

UNICEF Canada is an inclusive workplace and is committed to championing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process.

At UNICEF Canada, we believe strongly in personal connections and our hiring process is entirely human-driven. We do not use AI or automated systems to review applications or conduct interviews. Each candidate is evaluated by our experienced team to ensure a fair and thoughtful hiring experience.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter as one document to careers@unicef.ca by Tuesday, April 25, 2025.  Please include your salary expectations in your cover email and reference Senior Manager, Association Partnerships in the subject heading. 

UNICEF Canada thanks all applicants for their interest in this opportunity, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Consistent with our Child Safeguarding Policy, all successful candidates must receive clearance by a police background check (including a vulnerable sector screen).