Job Opportunity –

Director, Philanthropy, Full Time
Salary range: $65,000-$80,000 (annual)

JA South Western Ontario is a member of JA Canada and part of JA Worldwide (JA), the world’s largest not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating young people about business. Through the delivery of hands-on, experiential learning in entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness, JA empowers young people to grow their entrepreneurial ideas, hone their work skills, manage their money, and secure better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Since 1963, schools in South Western Ontario have relied on JA to prepare young people for success in an ever-changing global economy. JA South Western Ontario is responsible for the geographic area including the counties of Essex, Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford, Huron, Perth, Bruce, Grey, Wellington, Waterloo, Brant, Hamilton, Haldimand-Norfolk, and Niagara.

Role Summary

As Director, Philanthropy, you will:

• Shape and lead a high-performing resource development strategy aligned with JA’s bold mission and strategic plan.
• Build and steward a robust portfolio of corporate, foundation, and individual partners, driving sustainable revenue growth.
• Deliver compelling signature fundraising events that strengthen community engagement and elevate our brand.
• Champion a culture of philanthropy across the organization, while leading and developing a collaborative fundraising team.

This role collaborates closely with the President and CEO, the Director, Programs & Operations and the Director, Marketing & Communications

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Fundraising Innovation

• Design and execute an integrated fund development strategy to grow both restricted and unrestricted revenue.
• Set and achieve ambitious annual and multi-year revenue targets across key streams: major gifts, sponsorships, grants, and events.
• Lead the planning and success of marquee events such as the London & District Business Hall of Fame and Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.
• Build data-informed strategies to deepen donor engagement and long-term loyalty.

Donor and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and manage a dynamic pipeline of prospective donors and partners, with a focus on strategic alignment and mutual impact.
• Lead on high-value cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities with top funders and corporate sponsors.
• Translate program outcomes into compelling, donor-centric narratives that inspire investment and long-term commitment.
• Build cross-functional internal alignment between programming, marketing, and philanthropy to maximize donor satisfaction and retention.

Team Leadership and Operational Excellence

• Recruit, coach, and lead a mission-driven development team, promoting a high-performance, values-based culture.
• Oversee departmental operations, including budgeting, forecasting, CRM management (Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge), and performance reporting.
• Establish and track success metrics for all fundraising channels and donor segments.
• Ensure compliance, transparency, and integrity in all donor agreements and fund allocations.

Executive Collaboration and Sector Leadership

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO, contributing to executive decision-making, risk mitigation, and organizational planning.
• Actively represent JA South Western Ontario at stakeholder meetings, community events, and in national philanthropic initiatives as appropriate.
• Strengthen JA’s visibility and credibility among key audiences, including business leaders, philanthropists, and public sector partners.

What You Bring

• 8–10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, with a strong record of securing five- and six-figure gifts and partnerships.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to connect fundraising goals to mission impact.
• Demonstrated success in major gift cultivation, grant writing, sponsorship development, and fundraising event leadership.
• Proven experience leading high-functioning teams and managing cross-sector partnerships.
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with fundraising CRM systems (Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge preferred).
• Post-secondary education required; CFRE designation or progress toward completion is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the Southwestern Ontario philanthropic and corporate landscape is a strong advantage.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle required; regional travel is expected.
• Adaptability to a hybrid work environment with access to a quiet home office setup

This full-time position (40.0 hours per week) is available immediately with regular business hours and some evenings/ weekends. This is a hybrid role; the successful candidate will be required to work at either our London or Waterloo office. Travel throughout southwestern Ontario will be required to meet with donors and other stakeholders. The successful candidate must have a suitable quiet environment from which to work, with a desk and reliable and secure internet access. A laptop will be provided. The position reports to the President & CEO.

The successful candidate must undergo a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search.

JA South Western Ontario is an equal opportunity employer. JA SWO will not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed (religion), sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, disability, age (18 and over), record of offenses for which a pardon has been granted, marital status (including same sex partners), family status, or any other grounds prohibited by the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume by email to kgallant@jaswo.org by June 2, 2025. We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

May 15, 2025

Job Opportunity –

Education Program Coordinator – Kitchener 
(16-week Contract; 35 hours/week; May – August 2025)

JA South Western Ontario is a member of JA Canada and part of JA Worldwide (JA), the world’s largest not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating young people about business.  Through the delivery of hands-on, blended learning in entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness, JA empowers young people to grow their entrepreneurial ideas, hone their work skills, manage their earnings, and secure better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Since 1963, schools in South Western Ontario have relied on JA to prepare young people for success in an ever-changing global economy. JA South Western Ontario is responsible for the geographic area including the counties of Essex, Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford, Huron, Perth, Bruce, Grey, Wellington, Waterloo, Brant, Hamilton, Haldimand-Norfolk, and Niagara.

The JA Education Program Coordinator will play a key role in the planning and execution of JA’s entrepreneurship summer camp activities and will also assist in the coordination and execution of other JA in-school programs and events. In May and June, the individual will work directly with JA’s full-time Program Management staff to plan and prepare all necessary components for 4 week-long summer day camps to take place during July and August and will also be called upon to support other JA program activities and events. In July and August, the Education Program Coordinator will take a lead role in the execution of JA’s summer camp program – JA Camp StartUp, which involves campers, ages 8-13, in creating and managing their own small business for a week.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assisting full-time JA Program Management staff with:  
• Scheduling field trip type activities (ex. Corporate tours) and sales day locations for summer camps 
• Reviewing and revising summer camp curriculum documents and resources 
• Liaising with parents, vendors, and other summer camp partners 
• Scheduling and training volunteer leaders-in-training for summer camps 
• Ensuring all resources are in place for successful summer camps 
• Supervising, facilitating, and participating in camp program activities with campers 8-13 years old 
• Providing leadership for JA Camp StartUp camp counsellors (2) 
• Training and supporting summer camp counsellors and volunteer leaders-in-training 
• Working in cooperation with other Camp Counsellors to ensure campers are safe, while maintaining adequate health and hygiene measures 
• Building relationships with campers by demonstrating compassion, empathy, and understanding 
• Assisting with camp set up and tear down activities, such as light cleaning, room preparation, organizing supplies/ materials, etc. 
• Supporting other JA program events and activities (ex. coordinating and/or facilitating in-school programs and supporting online events) 
• Other duties as assigned 

Skills/Qualifications

• Ability to work well with children and parents 
• Ability to communicate effectively with parents, other Camp Staff, and campers 
• Ability to motivate others in learning new skills 
• Ability to demonstrate responsible, ethical, and professional conduct 
• Ability to provide support and instruction to others 
• Experience in education or in working with children is an asset 
• Driver’s License and access to a vehicle is an asset 

This contract position (35.0 hours per week) is funded by the Canada Summer Jobs program. Pay is set at $17.65/hour. You must be between 15 and 30 and be legally entitled to work in Canada to apply. The successful candidate must be available to work 8:30 – 5:30pm, Monday to Friday from May 5 to August 22, 2025. Some work from home will be possible during May/ June, however you may be required at various school or other locations in the Kitchener-Waterloo area for programs or other events. On-site work will be required during JA Camp StartUp weeks in July and August at the camp location – Church of the Good Sheppard, 116 Queen Street N, Kitchener. 

JA South Western Ontario is committed to a diverse, inclusive, equitable and accessible environment where differences are valued and respected in all areas of our business.  We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.  JA South Western Ontario will not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed (religion), sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, disability, age (18 and over), record of offenses for which a pardon has been granted, marital status (including same sex partners), family status, or any other grounds prohibited by the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Are you ready to be a JA Education Program Counsellor? Please email your Resume and Cover Letter to John Wilson at jwilson@jaswo.org. We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  

April 17, 2025

Job Opportunity – Program Manager: Company Program and Camps, Full-time

JA South Western Ontario is a member of JA Canada and part of JA Worldwide (JA), the world’s largest not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating young people about business.  Through the delivery of hands-on, blended learning in entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness, JA empowers young people to grow their entrepreneurial ideas, hone their work skills, manage their earnings, and secure better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Since 1963, schools in South Western Ontario have relied on JA to prepare young people for success in an ever-changing global economy. JA South Western Ontario is responsible for the geographic area including the counties of Essex, Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford, Huron, Perth, Bruce, Grey, Wellington, Waterloo, Brant, Hamilton, Haldimand-Norfolk, and Niagara.

The JA Program Manager: Company Program and Camps is responsible for the planning and execution of the JA Company Program and JA Camp StartUp (Summer Camps) throughout southwestern Ontario. This Program Manager’s job portfolio includes organizing both after-school and in-school JA Company Programs for high school students and Summer Camps for 8-13 year olds.

Primary Responsibilities

Company Program Management: Manage the recruitment, registration, and scheduling process for students, schools, and teachers for in-school and after-school JA Company Programs and variants (ex. CP Ideation Bootcamp). Match volunteers with programs as appropriate and act as a liaison between volunteers and other program stakeholders. Provide orientation and ongoing support to participants. Assist in establishing and monitoring program delivery goals and reporting. Manage program resource requirements, including space, materials and equipment. Oversee Company Program banking and financial systems as well as e-commerce platforms. Collaborate with local JA Program Managers to provide robust support for local Company Programs.

Summer Camp Management: Plan and coordinate JA summer camps. Support the hiring, onboarding, training, support and supervision of seasonal camp staff and volunteers. Communicate with parents. Manage camp resource requirements, including space, materials, equipment, etc. Collaborate with local JA Program Managers to provide robust support for local summer camps.

Volunteer Management: Support the volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and training process. Provide program-specific training and support to volunteers. Maintain professional working relationships with Company Program volunteers to support them and their students through the Company Program experience.

Additional duties and responsibilities: Maintain accurate records in line with organizational standards and objectives. Represent JA in the community in a positive and professional manner. Support community relations and brand awareness activities as assigned.  Assist in identifying prospective new funding sources to ensure future program sustainability. Assist in organizing and executing other JA-organized events and activities as required.

Education/ Experience

• Relevant post-secondary education (ex. Business, Education, Communications, Arts) and/or experience is required.
• Experience in educational program, project, or event management is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
• Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) systems, such as Salesforce, and/or learning management systems, such as Moodle, is considered an asset.
• Current driver’s license and access to a vehicle are required as some local travel may be required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent group facilitation, team coordination, and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of working with diverse stakeholders.
• The ideal candidate will be innovative and forward-thinking with a passion for providing exceptional learning experiences for young people.

This full-time position (40.0 hours per week) is available immediately. This Program Manager will generally be expected to work regular hours, Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm. However, flexibility is required to support after-school/ evening programs and evening/weekend events, for which the Program Manager may adjust their schedule during the week to accommodate the time required outside of regular hours. The salary range for this position is $40,000-$50,000 annually. The position is based in London, Ontario and reports to the Director, Programs and Operations. On-site work at the London office will be required on a regular basis with some ability to work from home, provided the successful candidate has a suitable quiet environment from which to work, with a desk and reliable and secure internet access. Meetings at locations throughout the region may also be required. A laptop will be provided.

As JA South Western Ontario is a youth-serving organization, the successful candidate must undergo a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search.

JA South Western Ontario is committed to a diverse, inclusive, equitable and accessible environment where differences are valued and respected in all areas of our business.  We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.  JA South Western Ontario will not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed (religion), sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, disability, age (18 and over), record of offenses for which a pardon has been granted, marital status (including same sex partners), family status, or any other grounds prohibited by the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Are you ready to contribute to JA’s mission of inspiring and preparing youth to succeed in a global economy? Please submit your cover letter and resume by email to kchafe@jaswo.org by January 31, 2025. The position will remain open until it is filled. We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

January 16, 2025