Interim Director of Philanthropy - 14 Months

At A Glance

Location: Vancouver

Hours: 35 weekly (1.0 FTE)

Contract: 14 month contract

Salary: 120,000-137,000

Department Leadership                                                                                                          

Reports to: Executive Director

Office Requirement: Hybrid (2 days) in office

About Us

As Canada’s largest environmental law charity, our mission is using the law to defend nature, combat the climate crisis, and fight for a healthy environment for all. To achieve this, Ecojustice does three things:

We go to court - Our lawyers represent citizens, environmental organizations, First Nations, sustainable businesses, labour organizations, and any other groups that share our mission.

We push for better laws - Our experts testify in front of committees and make recommendations to strengthen environmental legislation.

We engage the public - Our work highlights environmental issues and changes the conversation, forcing our leaders to sit up and listen.

Our mission is why people join Ecojustice. People who choose to join us recognize that this planet is our most treasured inheritance, and it is our imperative to be good stewards for the generations who follow us. We believe in protecting the environment while having enough time off to enjoy it. If you are courageous, collaborative, and dedicated to the fight for a healthier environment, you will find your people here.

About The Role

Ecojustice is seeking an experienced Interim Director of Philanthropy to lead and sustain our national fundraising efforts for an interim period covering a parental leave. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for the Philanthropy department to ensure continuation of long-term strategies, revenue stability, and strong donor relationships. This is an exciting opportunity to step into a well‑run organization with a clear mission, engaged supporters, and a cause that resonates deeply with donors.

As a member of the Leadership Team, the Interim Director of Philanthropy works closely with senior leaders to ensure alignment across fundraising, programs, and communications. The role oversees the execution of long-term strategies adapting and creating medium-to short term strategies as necessary. This role leads teams in Leadership Giving & Foundations and Individual Giving supporting strong performance and achieving team revenue goals.

This interim role is ideal for a seasoned fundraising leader who wants to make meaningful impact in a defined period of time—working with a strong leadership team, doing interesting and purpose‑driven work, and helping advance a mission that makes raising funds both compelling and achievable.

Responsibilities

As the Interim Director of Philanthropy, you will be expected to:

Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for Ecojustice’s philanthropy programs during the interim period

Develop and execute short‑ to medium‑term departmental priorities while sustaining long‑term fundraising strategies

Finalize and manage philanthropy budgets and forecasts; monitor results and ensure accountability for performance

Lead and support a national fundraising team across Leadership Giving & Foundations and Individual Giving

Manage direct reports including time off, performance, hiring and terminations as needed, and general management administration

Maintain forward movement of the donor gift cycle and steward a portfolio of major and leadership donors

Ensure compliance with charitable tax laws, privacy legislation, ethical fundraising standards, and departmental best practices

Collaborate closely with senior leaders and the Director of Strategic Communications to align fundraising, program, and communications priorities

Oversee donor engagement activities including cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and supporter events

Contribute philanthropy expertise to organizational planning, decision‑making, and reporting to the Executive Director and Board

Role Success

We are currently working to embed our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation (JEDI-R) into all aspects of our organization. We recognize that strong candidates can come from many backgrounds.

While this director‑level role is typically associated with 5–8 years of management and senior or executive‑level experience in philanthropy, we use years of experience as a general guideline—not a strict requirement. We welcome applications from candidates who believe their combination of skills, credentials, and experience equips them to excel in this position.

Requirements for this role include:

5+ years of senior management or executive‑level leadership experience in fundraising

8+ years of fundraising experience with a demonstrated track record executing complex strategies and reporting against KPIs

Significant people‑management experience, including leading large teams

Proven ability to manage and maintain high‑value donor portfolios

Experience collaborating effectively with cross‑functional teams

Knowledge of ethical fundraising standards, Imagine Canada principles, CRA guidelines, and charitable tax law

Strong financial acumen, including managing and reporting on complex budgets

Proficiency with donor databases and online giving platforms and related reporting and analytics tools

If you are a member of any fundraising associations or have any accreditations, please include them in your application.

Our Commitment To Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Ecojustice is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and is responding to the calls for action to further reconciliation.

We encourage applications from people with relevant job-related skills who come from communities that have been structurally marginalized based on race, religion, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression. Members belonging to communities that experience marginalization can self-identify during the application process if they choose to do so.

Ecojustice strives to ensure that our online application system and recruitment process are accessible to individuals with different abilities and encourages candidates to contact [email protected] for any
accommodation requests.
 

Great Reasons To Join Us

Generous Time Off: Start with 4 weeks of vacation, increasing up to 6 weeks with tenure, plus an annual winter break.

Extra Days: 14 public holidays (including National Indigenous Peoples Day), 2 floater days, and 4 paid hours each month for personal life admin.

Comprehensive Benefits: 100% employer-paid extended health coverage, up to $2,000/year for mental health, $800/year for paramedical expenses, and $500/year for vision care

Financial Wellness: 5% RRSP salary contribution after one year and a $500 annual wellness spending account.

Hybrid Work Structure: 2 days per week in office with basic home office equipment provided and additional equipment reimbursement up to $500.

Family Support: Employer provided Employee & Family Assistance Program. Parental leave top-up for both birthing and non-birthing parents.

Inclusive Leave Policies: Flexible options for health, caregiving, volunteering, and life events.

Recognized Excellence: Proudly ranked among Canada’s Top 100 charities by Charity Intelligence.

Collaborative Culture: 99% mission alignment and 97% manager support ratings from internal surveys.

Growth & Learning: Opportunities to advance justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation through ongoing training.
*benefits may be limited or prorated based on contract length, full-time equivalency, essential in-office status, or other constraints.

Our Commitment to Transparency

Transparency, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion are important to us. As a charity, our value proposition is that of a mission-based organization, offering high-value benefits, perks, and meaningful work. We benchmark base pay to the non-profit sector and relevant areas of expertise to ensure we are competitive