The McCall MacBain Foundation is seeking a highly driven professional to direct the planning, development, and implementation of our philanthropic strategies in Climate Change & Environment and in Health.

Working with a small, motivated team in a warm, open office in downtown Toronto, the Director of Grants reports to the CEO and will collaborate closely with all team members.[1]

The Foundation

The McCall MacBain Foundation is an international philanthropic foundation with three funding priorities:

1. Education & Scholarships: we support scholarships and other educational opportunities that nurture the transformational leadership needed to shape fairer, healthier, and more prosperous communities for all.
2. Climate Change & Environment: we invest in solutions that can yield significant emissions reductions this decade, and we amplify voices calling for urgent and deep action in response to the climate crisis.
3. Health: we invest in evidence-based strategies to support well-being and mental health from adolescence through to early adulthood.

The Candidate

You share our belief that climate change is the single most pressing problem facing our planet. You have experience working in climate and environment. You are action-oriented and looking for an opportunity for greater impact. You want to effect change in Canada and globally.

Further, you share our conviction that investing in youth – their leadership development as well as their well-being and mental health – is central to fostering a better future for all. You may or may not have experience in this area; irrespective, you have enthusiasm to learn and contribute to our work with youth.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Strategic planning: develops the strategic plans for the Foundation’s Climate & Environment Fund and Health Fund.
• Grantmaking: manages the Climate & Environment Fund and Health Fund granting portfolio, including developing and supporting partnerships and overseeing the granting cycle. You will be supported by a Research & Grants Officer.
• Engagement: Represents the Foundation in funder and sector-based communities (e.g. the Global Methane Hub, the Canadian informal working group on agriculture + philanthropy, and others); and develops and implements activities to amplify the impacts of granting (e.g., convenings and meetings with partners, community members, government, non-profit organizations, political leaders and others, and dissemination of results).
• Senior leadership: As a member of the senior leadership team, you will oversee the preparation of analyses and materials for the Foundation’s Board of Directors, and participate in Board meetings; and, you will contribute to overall goal setting, strategic planning and management for the McCall MacBain Foundation.

Additionally, subject to your own areas of expertise and interest, you will contribute to the Foundation’s overall leadership in one or more of the following ways:

• Organizational planning & budgeting: Working with the CEO and VP Finance on the strategic planning and budgeting processes, with a view to streamlining processes and ensuring that resources are allocated to areas of greatest potential impact;
• Organizational learning: Leading the Foundation’s organizational learning and impact evaluation, with a view to fostering a culture of continuous learning, identifying what learnings to share, with whom and how, and measuring the impact of our efforts over time; and/or
• Communications: Working with the CEO and Communications Lead to develop and implement a communications & engagement plan, with a focus on identifying the most effective avenues and ways of sharing what we do, the incredible work of our partners, and the inspiring trajectories of our scholarship and fellowship recipients.

This role requires some domestic and international travel.

Attributes

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, French an asset.
• Possesses solid judgment, strong diplomacy and critical thinking skills, ability to exercise discretion, and strong sense of integrity.
• Strategic thinker, proactive, solutions-focused, and highly motivated.
• Superior organizational and project management skills.
• Self-starter who can work independently and adapt to a fast-paced environment.
• Strong team player and relationship builder who can foster collaboration.
• Ability to give and take constructive feedback.
• Sense of humour, creativity and agility.

Experience

• Established and credible leader in the field.
• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• 10+ years’ relevant professional work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in leading strategic planning and successful execution of strategies.
• Management experience recruiting, overseeing the work of, developing, motivating, and retaining talented people.
• Grantmaking experience is preferred.
• Experience working with and providing strategic counsel to senior executives.

Eligibility

Employees must be legally authorized to work in Canada.

Salary

Base salary of $90,000-120,000 based on experience, plus a performance-based bonus, matched RRSP contribution, and a comprehensive benefits package including health and dental.

To Apply

Please email hiring@headlandsinstitute.ca with a copy of your CV and to the attention of Alexandra Conliffe. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

[1] We are undergoing a leadership transition! In January 2024, our CEO Franca Gucciardi will pass the baton to Alexandra Conliffe. This role will report to Alexandra in her capacity as VP Philanthropy & Organizational Learning through to the end of 2023 and in her capacity as CEO effective January 1, 2024.