Director of Strategy and Partnerships
- Hybrid
- 6 Weeks
Share this post:
About the Syrian Canadian Foundation
The Syrian Canadian Foundation (SCF) was established in 2016 to support the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Canada. Since then, SCF has grown into a national charitable organization that serves refugees and newcomers from diverse backgrounds.
Our programs focus on three areas: language training, skills development and well-being. We work with community members and partners to help newcomers build their lives and participate fully in their communities.
Position Summary
SCF is seeking an experienced Director of Strategy and Partnerships to join its senior leadership team. This role will have two equally important mandates: helping shape SCF’s organizational strategy, program growth, and expanding the partnerships, relationships and funding opportunities that support the organization’s long-term sustainability and impact.
Working closely with the Executive Director as a senior organizational leader, the Director will translate SCF’s strategic priorities into practical plans, identify opportunities for program growth and innovation, and ensure new initiatives are responsive to community needs, financially viable, and aligned with the organization’s mission.
Equally, the Director will strengthen SCF’s external positioning and network across government, the private sector, philanthropy, foundations and the nonprofit sector.
The successful candidate will bring established professional relationships and a demonstrated ability to leverage and expand networks to create meaningful opportunities for the organization.
They will be a highly collaborative leader who can work effectively across programs, finance, communications, and senior leadership to advance organizational priorities.
This is a senior, externally facing role for someone who can move comfortably between strategy and execution, from assessing a new program opportunity or developing a multi-year plan to engaging a government official, cultivating a corporate partner or leading a major funding proposal.
Organizational Strategy and Program Growth
- Translate long-term organizational goals into practical workplans with clear
responsibilities, timelines, and measures of success. - Monitor government policy, community needs, sector trends, and the funding environment to assess implications and opportunities for SCF.
- Identify opportunities to expand SCF’s programs, reach new communities, and advance strategic areas of impact.
- Work with program leads to ensure services remain responsive to the needs of refugees and newcomers.
- Use program data, research, and community feedback to assess results, identify
opportunities for improvement and innovation, and demonstrate impact.
Partnerships, Fund Development and External Relations
- Develop and lead SCF’s relationship and partnership strategy across government, corporations, foundations, philanthropy, and other strategic sectors.
- Cultivate and leverage senior relationships to expand SCF’s network, strengthen its profile, and open opportunities for funding, partnerships, sponsorships, and program collaboration.
- Identify and engage strategic partners whose priorities align with SCF’s mission, tailoring approaches to build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.
- Build and oversee a diversified pipeline of funding and partnership opportunities, including major grants, corporate giving, philanthropy, and strategic collaborations.
- Lead or oversee major funding proposals, partnership pitches, and expressions of interest, working closely with the Executive Director on high-value opportunities.
- Strengthen existing partnerships by ensuring commitments are delivered, relationships are sustained, and opportunities are converted into tangible outcomes.
Government Relations and External Engagement
- Lead and strengthen SCF’s relationships with elected officials, senior public servants, government agencies, and other key stakeholders across municipal, provincial, and federal governments.
- Monitor government priorities, public policy, and funding developments affecting refugees, newcomers, and the charitable sector, and identify opportunities for SCF to contribute its expertise and community perspective.
- Advise and prepare the Executive Director and leadership team for high-level engagements,
including briefings, meetings, roundtables, consultations, and public events. - Identify and facilitate strategic introductions and engagement opportunities with government, corporate, philanthropic, and sector leaders to advance organizational priorities.
- Represent SCF, alongside the Executive Director, at conferences, roundtables, community meetings, and other strategic forums.
- Build collaborative relationships with community and sector partners while safeguarding SCF’s non-partisan charitable mandate and ensuring refugee and newcomer perspectives inform external discussions.
Leadership and Internal Collaboration
- Serve as a member of SCF’s senior leadership team, contributing to organization-wide strategy, priorities, and decision-making.
- Lead and support staff and project teams, setting priorities, providing direction, and fostering accountability and professional growth.
- Drive cross-functional alignment across programs, finance, operations, communications, and strategic initiatives.
- Support Board reporting, governance materials, and preparation for Board meetings.
- Represent the Executive Director in internal and external engagements as required.
- Foster a collaborative, accountable, and respectful organizational culture.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of progressive experience in organizational strategy, nonprofit leadership, partnerships, fund development, government relations, program development, or a related field.
- 3+ years of experience managing staff and/or leading strategic initiatives.
- A university degree in public policy, nonprofit management, business, social sciences, or a related field is an asset; equivalent education and experience will be considered.
- Experience translating strategy into action, developing or expanding programs, and using data and community needs to inform priorities and outcomes.
- Proven ability to build and leverage senior-level relationships across government, corporations, foundations, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector to generate funding, partnerships, and other opportunities.
- Experience leading grant applications, partnership proposals, and funding opportunities is an asset.,
- Strong communication, writing, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to balance strategic thinking and execution.
- Strong judgment and ability to manage competing priorities, sensitive information, and complex stakeholder relationships.
- Knowledge of issues affecting refugees, newcomers, and marginalized communities is strongly preferred.
- Must be based in the Greater Toronto Area and able to attend meetings and events across the region; access to a reliable vehicle is an asset.
Application Requirement
Please submit your cover letter and résumé. Your cover letter should describe the professional networks and senior-level relationships you have developed across government, the private sector, philanthropy, foundations and/or the nonprofit sector.
Disclaimer: We are open to considering part-time, fractional or consulting arrangements for exceptional candidates with strong strategic expertise and established government, corporate, or philanthropic networks. Final hiring decisions will be based on organizational needs and available funding.
Please provide two or three specific examples demonstrating:
- The types and level of professional relationships you have developed;
- How you built or leveraged those relationships;
- How those relationships resulted in funding, partnerships, strategic introductions or other opportunities;
- The challenges you faced in the process and how you overcame them; and
- How you have expanded an organization’s network beyond your own existing contacts.
Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is
filled.