Senior Development Associate

Are you looking for a challenging opportunity in developing new and existing funding partnerships, and achieving revenue goals and ensuring optimum stewardship? Do you possess knowledge and experience with partnership sales, marketing, fundraising and grants? Do you have excellent communication skills to build lasting relationships and partnerships? If so, consider this opportunity to work as a Sr. Development Associate at the Ontario Science Centre.

Guided by our mission to inspire passion for the human adventure of discovery, the Science Centre:
• Believes science, technology and innovation will help us shape a better future for society and our planet
• Provides opportunities to explore, learn and collaborate
• Makes a positive and enduring impact on the lives of individuals and communities

The Science Centre welcomes 900,000 visitors each year, and offers interactive experiences and insights into science and technology that help visitors of all ages understand and contribute to the world around us. Since March 2020, the Science Centre has been engaging audiences across the province with online programming, films and activities.

The Ontario Science Centre, part of the Ontario Public Service, offers:
• a progressive work environment that promotes a work/life balance
• flexible learning and development opportunities including online training and mentorship programs
• opportunities for career advancement and specialization through a wide range of career fields within both the Ontario Science Centre and the Ontario Public Service
• a dedicated approach to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment for all employees
• optional enrolment in a defined benefit pension plan and group benefits coverage

Note: This position will work remotely while the Science Centre continues to adapt its operations in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

What can I expect to do in this role?

You will play a leadership role in initiating, developing and nurturing relationships with corporate, individuals, government and other partners in order to secure support for the Science Centre's priorities and programs through mutually beneficial relationships. The position provides leadership for the Centre's efforts to identify and develop strategic opportunities and prospects and to secure and steward sponsorships, grants, funding partnerships and corporate donations. The role requires a self-starter with a strategic orientation, strong partnership development, sales and stewardship experience and superior written and oral communication abilities.

How do I qualify?

Knowledge and Experience with Fundraising, Partnership Sales, Grants and Marketing

• Knowledge of fundraising and sales principles and best practices.
• Proven success in identifying and developing partnerships and securing and stewarding grants and support at the $100k+ level.
• Knowledge of fundraising sector techniques, trends and strategies to secure donors and deliver optimal outcome of projects/programs.
• Knowledge of federal and provincial grant programs and processes, including experience with grant applications and strategic proposals to meet supporter needs.
• Knowledge of general contract administration, policy writing and sales agreement structure and requirements.
• Ability to prepare resource forecasts and revenue projections through Salesforce.

Communication, Collaboration and Relationship Management Skills

• Excellent written skills and outstanding attention to detail related to strategic proposals, applications, sales and reporting documents; and, powerful and compelling engagement, cultivation and stewardship communications.
• Excellent oral communication, presentation, negotiation and relationship management abilities to engage, manage and successfully work with partners and supporters.
• Collaboration and consultation skills to collaborate with internal and external partners to identify needs and opportunities.

Strategic Planning and Project Management Abilities

• Strategic planning abilities to identify and develop support opportunities within the Centre; identify funding prospects; and, strategically design and position projects and benefits to meet both Science Centre and supporter/partner needs and objectives.
• Project management skills to manage solicitation projects including research, proposal development, budgeting, application/proposal strategy and writing, supporter engagement, and project reporting and evaluation in co-ordination with other departments.

OPS Commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti- racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the application instructions below if you require a disability-related accommodation.

Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Monday, March 7, 2022 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.