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Director Of Development Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Ricochet Media

Director of Development

Toronto, ON

CA$100K/yr

Ricochet Media English, a 12 year-old national media outlet, is seeking an experienced director of development to lead our fundraising efforts. We're one of the first media outlets to be granted a ...

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Director Of Development information

See Ontario salary details

$26K

$75.7K

$130.5K

How much do director of development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of development in Ontario is $75,678.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,500.00 and $87,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of development do?

A Director of Development is responsible for overseeing an organization's fundraising and development strategies. They manage donor relationships, create fundraising campaigns, and coordinate with staff to achieve financial goals. This role often involves working with nonprofits or educational institutions to secure grants, cultivate major donors, and ensure the sustainability of funding. The Director of Development also analyzes fundraising data and trends to improve future efforts and typically reports to executive leadership.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Development, you need expertise in fundraising strategy, donor relations, and nonprofit management, often supported by a relevant degree and substantial experience in development roles. Familiarity with donor management systems (such as Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce), grant writing, and data analysis tools is typically required. Outstanding communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills help cultivate donor trust and inspire teams. These capabilities are crucial for meeting fundraising goals, sustaining organizational growth, and advancing the nonprofit’s mission.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of development when managing fundraising initiatives?

Directors of Development often face challenges such as balancing short-term fundraising goals with long-term relationship building, motivating and aligning diverse teams, and adapting strategies to shifting donor priorities. They must also ensure effective communication across departments and with external stakeholders. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong leadership, data-driven decision making, and the ability to inspire both staff and donors toward the organization's mission.

What is the difference between Director Of Development vs Development Manager?

AspectDirector Of DevelopmentDevelopment Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees overall development strategy, manages teams, and aligns projects with organizational goals.Manages specific development projects, coordinates teams, and ensures project delivery.
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, often advanced degrees, and experience in leadership roles.Bachelor's degree in relevant field, experience in project management or development.
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, strategic planning, often in office settings.Operational, project-focused, collaborative team environment.

The main difference is that the Director Of Development focuses on strategic oversight and leadership, while the Development Manager handles day-to-day project management. Both roles require relevant experience and collaboration, but the director has a broader scope and higher-level responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Of Development jobs in Ontario?

The most popular types of Of Development jobs in Ontario are:

What cities in Ontario are hiring for Director Of Development jobs?

Cities in Ontario with the most Director Of Development job openings:

Director Of Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Development job openings in Ontario as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,678 per year, or $36.4 per hour.

Director of Development

Ricochet Media

Toronto, ON

CA$100K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Are you one of Canada’s best fundraisers? Are you looking for a legacy-defining new challenge?

Ricochet Media English, a 12 year-old national media outlet, is seeking an experienced director of development to lead our fundraising efforts. 


We’re one of the first media outlets to be granted a new form of charitable status created to support non-profit journalism. Now we’re looking for a leader who can pioneer its use to help us make public interest journalism sustainable. 


We can offer a competitive base salary, generous performance bonuses, and significant autonomy and control over working conditions. But more importantly, we can also offer a high degree of meaning. 

Journalism is essential to a healthy democracy, a distinct Canada, and accountability for the richest and most powerful among us. But it needs a new business model. 


That’s where you come in. This is your chance to help build the future of public interest journalism in Canada, and break a trail for other media outlets to follow. 


The job


Ricochet was granted Registered Journalism Organization status last year, a new form of charitable status, which allows us to issue tax receipts like any other charity. Journalism, which has traditionally been a business, is in the process of becoming a charitable sector — and building out the fundraising networks that go with it. 


To date, our revenue largely derives from small dollar, online fundraising and recurring donors, as well as institutional funders. With this new status we’re looking to expand into more high-dollar fundraising of the type traditionally pursued by charities. We’re looking for someone with experience in charitable fundraising who can help us implement the best practices of that sector and pursue fundraising across all avenues, prioritized by efficiency, efficacy and return on investment. 


Journalism funding is hard to come by in Canada. Many traditional funders still consider it a business, undeserving of charitable dollars. Every conversation with a potential funder requires us to first convince them of the urgency of supporting journalism as a concept, and then the specific importance of funding our work within that sector. RJO status is new, we’re among the first to receive it, and as a result there’s no model to follow. We’re exploring, testing things to see what works, and adapting everything to a journalistic context with rigorous ethical requirements that are different from those in other charitable sectors. 


We’re looking for someone who can get creative, keep experimenting and forge their own path. 

The good news is that you’ll be well supported by two senior editors with over a decade of experience in the very specific details of the journalism industry and its funding mechanisms. You will work closely with them on a day-to-day basis, as a member of the senior leadership team. Indeed, every member of our small team will prioritize supporting your work. From experienced board members to younger fellows and interns, you’ll have a lot of help.

In a nutshell, we’re looking for someone experienced who wants to bet on themselves. The base salary of $70,000 represents a minimum guarantee, but we’re prepared to negotiate a bonus structure that could double that if you’re good at this job. Deliver for us, and we’ll pay as well as anyone. 


The candidate


Requirements:

  • Minimum three years of experience in professional fundraising
  • Demonstrated track record of attracting large gifts/generating revenue
  • Experience working with individual and institutional donors
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and without close supervision
  • Some experience with digital fundraising and digital tools


Assets:

  • 5+ years of experience and 2+ years of experience in a senior leadership role
  • Strong knowledge of donor networks in Canada
  • Existing contacts with donors and funders
  • Knowledge of the journalism industry in Canada
  • Knowledge of government operations and programs
  • Knowledge of Ricochet and its work


The working conditions

  • $100,000+ ($70,000 base salary + bonuses)
  • Structured performance bonuses with attainable targets
  • Virtual office environment (Slack and video calls)
  • Five weeks of paid vacation per year to start
  • High degree of autonomy and control over your schedule


Deadline for applications: October 15, 2026

Email your CV to editor@ricochet.media

Apply