Drive philanthropic and partnership growth at the Ontario Science Centre!Join the Ontario Science Centre and help build the partnerships and fundraising support that power our programs, experiences, and future. In this role, you will strengthen donor and sponsor relationships, lead fundraising efforts and contribute significantly to the Centre's revenue goals.
Is This You?You are a strategic, relationship driven fundraising and partnerships leader who connects people, ideas, and opportunities to advance meaningful impact. You build trust with donors, sponsors, government partners, and community stakeholders, deepening relationships with shared values and organizational priorities.
You are a people-first leader who builds strong, collaborative, high performing teams. You balance strategic vision with operational excellence — using data, financial acumen, and stakeholder insights to guide decisions, forecast revenue, and elevate performance. You communicate with clarity and influence, engaging senior leaders, Board members, government officials, donors, and partners with confidence and credibility.
With the Ontario Science Centre preparing for a bold new future — including the development of a world class home at Ontario Place — you see the extraordinary potential ahead. You bring the creativity, confidence, and strategic insight needed to position the organization for major fundraising initiatives and long term growth.
About the job
About the Ontario Science Centre Spark your curiosity at the Ontario Science Centre! For over 55 years, the Ontario Science Centre has inspired a passion for the human adventure of discovery through fun experiences that educate and entertain kids and adults alike. From engaging pop up programs at events and festivals to KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre, the Science Centre continues to support students, families and educators by making science accessible, meaningful and fun. Starting in Summer 2026, even more interactive exhibits, experiences and programs will open at Harbourfront Centre, the Ontario Science Centre's interim location before it moves into its future home at Ontario Place.
About the PositionThe Director, Development and Partnerships plays a critical role in helping to shape the future of the Ontario Science Centre. This is a unique opportunity to help build the partnerships, philanthropic support, and strategic relationships that will help bring the organization's future vision to life.
Reporting to the Vice President, External Relations, the Director leads the development and execution of a strategy for stakeholder engagement, fundraising, outreach, and public awareness. This includes overseeing integrated marketing, communications, and fundraising efforts to strengthen visibility, advance priorities, and grow revenue.
The Director oversees a team responsible for sponsorships, partnerships, donor relations, grants, and development operations. They will help prepare the organization for major fundraising initiatives, strengthen relationships with donors and sponsors, and build the foundation for long term revenue growth.
In this role, you will:
• lead the Partnerships and Development team to secure and steward sponsorships, partnerships, grants, donor contributions, and other philanthropic support
• work with senior leaders to create annual and multi-year operational and financial plans that support organizational goals and strategy
• provide strong people leadership by effectively managing, developing, and supporting staff, while fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability
• lead in a unionized environment, navigating labour relations matters with sound judgment, fairness, and diplomacy
• lead and expand the development program to raise $3-5M annually
• prepare the organization for significant current and ongoing fundraising initiatives and campaigns
What you bring to the team
Fundraising knowledge and experience
You have knowledge and experience in:
• managing corporate and individual donors, from identification to cultivation, solicitation and stewardship, and ongoing relationship management
• supporting major fundraising initiatives, including prospect identification, pipeline development, volunteer engagement and donor stewardship
• building and retaining an effective team that meets fundraising goals and supports organizational priorities
• leading fundraising programs, including major gifts, corporate partnerships and sponsorships, annual programs and special events
• identifying sponsor and donor interests, and align them with the organization's goals and needs
Strategic leadership and management skills
You have:
• leadership skills to lead, guide and motivate staff, colleagues and volunteers to meet shared goals and support a positive organizational culture
• experience in a unionized environment and a solid understanding of effective people management practices
• experience providing strategic input on new projects to help expand funding and external support
• skills in revenue forecasting, budgeting, resource planning, and expense management
• experience negotiating complex agreements
• experience managing administrative tasks, including financial reporting, prospect research, gift and sponsorship processing, and record management
Communication and relationship management skills
You have:
• communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• the ability to communicate and work with internal and external partners, including corporate sponsors, individual donors, foundations, government funders, Board of Trustees, volunteers, senior leaders and colleagues
Don't meet every qualification?
If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's
Human Rights Code and the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer
accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please
contact us.Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:
What we offer
The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:
• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more
• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment