Development Officer, Philanthropy

Full Time • Resource Development

WHO WE ARE

Are you a Development Officer looking to make an impact in your community? Do you have endless optimism, ready to move and create Development opportunities? Through the vision to eliminate poverty in our community and guided by a passionate concern for the dignity and well-being of everyone, Bissell Centre’s work is based on building relationships, hope and trust. Our community comes from all walks of life and so do we.

Through our programs we work to empower people from meeting their own basic daily needs to having sustainable livelihoods, secure housing, and feeling hope for the future and make plans for a prosperous life. By joining Bissell Centre, you will become part of a fast-paced and dedicated team that works together to realize our vision.

Currently, Bissell Centre is looking for an individual wanting to join an Resource Development team and help to the next level. Are you ready to be our Development Officer, Philanthropy and make an impact in our community?

Role Summary

The Development Officer, Philanthropy is ideal for a relationship-driven professional who is energized by meaningful donor conversations, confident in solicitation, and motivated to grow both transformational giving and planned giving programs.

Under the guidance of the Manager of Development, the Development Officer, Philanthropy will focus on individual philanthropy, including transformational gifts, planned giving and legacy commitments, and mid-level donor engagement, supported by thoughtful prospect research and strong internal collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Program Delivery

Plan, develop, and implement strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors.
Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects with emphasis on:
- Transformational gifts (approximately 50%)
- Planned giving and legacy commitments (approximately 35%)
- Mid-level donors (approximately 15%)
Confidently lead donor solicitations and stewardship conversations.
Support and grow Bissell Centre’s planned giving and legacy program.
Conduct prospect research to identify and qualify new individual donors.
Collaborate with program teams to secure project information, budgets, outcomes, and impact stories.
Write and edit donor-facing materials including proposals, letters, and presentations.
Maintain detailed donor records within the donor management system in accordance with best practices.
Educate donors and community members about poverty, houselessness, and Bissell Centre’s work.
Support Resource Development events and initiatives as required.
Other duties as assigned.

General and Administrative

As part of the Resource Development (RD) Team, assist with agency tours for donors, students, and community members.
Collaborate with RD colleagues on strategies to grow individual philanthropy and overall revenue.
Participate in Bissell Centre events and act as an ambassador for the organization’s mission and values.
Remain current on fundraising legislation, ethical standards, and trends in transformational and planned giving.
Participate in supervision meetings, team meetings, and cross-organizational initiatives.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Minimum of 5-year experience in transformational gifts or individual philanthropy.
Experience with planned giving and legacy programs.
Post-secondary education in a related field, or equivalent experience.
CFRE or other fundraising designations are considered a strong asset.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Demonstrated success in soliciting and stewarding individual donors.
Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
Confidence engaging donors in meaningful philanthropic conversations.
Excellent writing, presentation, and organizational skills.
Strong analytical and prospect research abilities.
Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
Familiarity with issues of poverty, houselessness, and Edmonton’s urban core.

Conditions of Work

Full-time position (40 hours/week), with flexible hours including evenings and weekends on occasion.
Hybrid work environment with remote and downtown Edmonton office work.
Daytime travel within the greater Edmonton area required.
Working within an environment that includes participants experiencing complex life situations.

Expectations and Accountability

Responsibilities may evolve to align with departmental goals and strategic priorities.
The role requires creativity, initiative, and problem-solving to meet the demands of a dynamic fundraising environment.
The Development Officer’s contributions are essential to Bissell Centre’s success in raising philanthropic funds that fuel our mission.

Schedule

Standard Monday–Friday schedule, with flexibility for occasional evening or weekend work

Some flexibility in work hours

Personal Characteristics

Resource Development (RD) is a highly collaborative team that works with all programs and external stakeholders. An RD team member must demonstrate competence in all the following areas:

Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the mission and core values of Bissell Centre.
Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen, and write in a clear, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
Focus on Participant Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of participants and the community to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
Foster Teamwork: Foster, sustain and role model productive team management practices, and contribute to a positive team environment. Share expertise and knowledge to support, coach and develop others.
Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency, and risks, and make clear decisions that are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
Organizational Skills: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create, and implement action plans, and evaluate the process and results.
Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Direct Reports

Screening Requirements

Criminal Record Check
CWIS Check
Proof of 2 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine

Training Requirements

Conflict Into Calm Training
Naloxone Administration Training

The above-noted training must be completed during the first six months of employment or as agreed upon with the supervisor.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter to:

Jamie Tereposky
Manager of Development
Email: jtereposky@bissellcentre.org

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, Bissell Centre continues to take action to protect person served and staff. Strategies related to Bissell Centre’s response to COVID-19 are driven by the guiding principle of taking all reasonable precautions and measures to protect the health and safety of both persons served and staff. In keeping with this intentional purpose, COVID-19 full vaccination is a condition of employment for new hires, except due to legitimate, established exceptions.

Bissell Centre is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to diversity within our community and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, or disability. Bissell Centre is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees, in accordance with provincially and federally legislated protected grounds.

Application Deadline: January 30th, 2026

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