Alumni Relations And Development Officer

Benefits & Perks: We offer an array of total rewards to recognize loyalty, longevity, and passion for the work we do:

• Paid Vacation Entitlements that increase with seniority (subject to eligibility)
• Competitive total compensation packages
• Group health and benefits plans (includes medical, dental, and prescription medication, subject to eligibility)
• Generous pension plans with employer matching
• Free YMCA Health & Fitness Memberships
• Professional development opportunities including paid training and access to YMCA education scholarships
• Reduced rates for YMCA Child Care, Camp, and Child & Youth programs (subject to eligibility)
• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Opportunities for career advancement

Nature & Scope:

YMCA Camp Wanakita is seeking a dynamic and passionate Alumni Relations and Fund Development Officer to join our team. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in building and strengthening relationships with our alumni community while spearheading fundraising initiatives to support the camp’s mission, programs and capital needs.

The Alumni Relations and Development Officer will lead the development of a sustainable long term Alumni Relations program that serves to connect YMCA Wanakita staff, camp alumni and current campers and families with the camp in meaningful ways. The position will also support, lead and grow philanthropic giving at all levels for both, the annual campaign and capital needs.

In this role, you will:

• Work in consultation with the Senior Manager of Community Giving and Vice President of Philanthropy to drive a culture of philanthropy, lead annual fundraising campaigns, establish Community Fundraising & Member Engagement plans, goals, metrics and strategic priorities.
• Create an Alumni Development program with annual plans that support alumni engagement objectives, activities, and fundraising initiatives.
• Develop and implement strategies to engage and connect with Camp Wanakita alumni.
• Organize alumni events, reunions, and other activities to foster a sense of community and loyalty.
• Create and execute comprehensive fundraising plans, including annual giving campaigns, major gifts, and special events.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with potential donors, sponsors, and partners.
• Collaborate with the camp leadership to align fundraising goals with the organization’s strategic priorities.
• Aligned with YMCA Marketing and Communications, implement a multi-faceted communications strategy using traditional media and social media, that reaches out and connects with over 3,000 YMCA Wanakita camp staff, over 80,000 camp alumni and current camper parents.
• Employ A strategic and targeted approach to the development and delivery of local and on-site events that rekindle the experience of alumni at camp and demonstrate the value and impact of their support.
• Develop systems and best practices to engage camp and staff alumni from the past, and for new camp staff and campers at the beginning of their time at YMCA Wanakita, to support and enable a lifelong relationship with the camp.
• Give leadership and assume primary responsibility for the growth and maintenance of the YMCA Wanakita alumni database
• Work directly with the Fund Development team to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward relationships with select major gift prospects for YMCA Wanakita.
• Be comfortable with spending time at camp Wanakita to engage with staff and campers to build strong relationships to advance the Alumni Relations and Development work.

You bring:

• Post-secondary degree or certification in related field.
• Experience in building and/or supporting an Alumni Relations program considered an asset.
• Fundraising experience with focus on community, broad-based fundraising, annual campaigns.
• Effective research skills utilizing various sources and mechanisms.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications; knowledge of Razor’s Edge (RE) and donor relationship platforms considered an asset.
• Keen ability to grasp and adapt to both current and emerging technologies and software.
• Driver’s license and reliable vehicle (mileage to reimbursed); ability to travel across association branches including YMCA Wanakita.
• Experience in outdoor camp environments an asset.
• Professional demeanour and strong business acumen; comfortable dealing with individual at all corporate levels.
• Strong communication skills with sociable demeanor to build relationships with alumni across diverse generational demographics.
• Self-motivated with ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Current and satisfactory Police Records Check.

Organizational Overview

We are proud to be a charity sustained by the generosity of our entire community, including our dedicated staff. As one of the largest charitable community service organizations in Canada, the YMCA of Hamilton| Burlington| Brantford responds to critical social needs in the community and works to provide solutions. By nurturing the potential of children, youth and adults, the YMCA connects people to life-building opportunities, to each other and enhances their quality of life. We foster social responsibility and healthy living. The YMCA works collectively with community partners that share the YMCA’s determination in strengthening the foundations of community for all people.

This position requires a commitment to the YMCA mission and core values of: Inclusion, Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility, as well as, a commitment to building developmental assets in children and adults. All offers of employment will be subject to the provision that the successful incumbent provides the YMCA of Hamilton| Burlington| Brantford with a current and satisfactory Police Records Check. Positions responsible for the direct supervision of children and/or vulnerable persons will be required, in addition to a Police Records Check, to provide a Vulnerable Sector Screening Report at the time of hire.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Accessibility

The YMCA of Hamilton| Burlington| Brantford is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or neurodiversity.

We understand the social barriers preventing individuals from applying for open roles. We encourage those from the Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Disabled communities to apply.

If you need any accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our People, Leadership and Culture Department at hr@ymcahbb.ca

Experience

• Fundraising experience with focus on community, broad-based fundraising, annual campaigns
• Experience in building and/or supporting an Alumni Relations program

Behaviors

• Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
• Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them
• Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
• Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Motivations

• Goal Completion: Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks
• Flexibility: Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals
• Growth Opportunities: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility
• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization