Senior Specialist, Program Development, Community Programs

Heart & Stroke • Toronto • 5d ago

Who we are At Heart & Stroke our mission is to promote health, save lives and enhance recovery. We are committed to a culture that exemplifies our core values: champion health, practice humility, embrace change, drive impact, learn and grow and be heartfelt as we work together to beat heart disease and stroke. We believe in equity, diversity and inclusion ― it’s embedded in our values and core mission work to support all people in Canada to lead healthier lives. We are committed to applying this principle to cultivate a welcoming environment that embraces diversity among our employees. Candidates from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, women, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply. To learn more about our mission, values, commitment to EDI, and the difference Heart & Stroke makes in the lives of people in Canada at every age, please visit our website.

The opportunity

(Please note H&S offers hybrid option. Candidates can work from anywhere in Canada)

Are you passionate about building innovative fundraising programs that make a real impact in communities across Canada? Join Heart & Stroke as our Senior Specialist, Program Development (Community Programs) and help shape the future of Fundraise Your Way, Social Fundraising, and Giving in Memory. In this dynamic role, you’ll be at the heart of planning, coordinating, and delivering national community fundraising initiatives. This is a complex, fast-paced role for someone who excels at balancing multiple priorities and stakeholders in a dynamic environment where creativity and resourcefulness are key. You’ll bring creative solutions, strategic thinking, and a passion for continuous improvement to help us achieve ambitious annual revenue targets and deliver meaningful donor experiences. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and contribute to programs that empower individuals to support Heart & Stroke in ways that matter most to them, we want to hear from you. Join us and help inspire action, foster creativity, and deliver results through fundraising experiences that reflect each participant’s passion and commitment.

How you will make an impact every day Program Development – Strategic Input Provide input to program plans, including strategies, tactics and executional considerations Develop contingency plans as necessary to achieve goals Plan and execute pre-defined components of the program Develop innovative ideas for testing to reduce costs and drive revenue Identify best practices in the industry that could be tested and integrated into the programs Ensure a thorough understanding of the target market and other stakeholders Execute surveys and research requirements Provide reports and conduct effective analyses to inform decision-making and business planning (and contingency implementation, if necessary) Review processes and investigate efficiencies to support current and future business needs

Program Execution Assist with the development of online/offline bilingual materials, communications and other tools Ensure high-quality, relevant and timely communications with various stakeholders Establish an agreed-upon approval process and obtain sign-off on plans and communications Act as a key contributing member of the program website development team to ensure a smooth launch of the website, and create constituent resources for the website Support website testing and monitoring for improved user experience Lead website development for programs, working with cross-functional partners and vendors as required Assist in delivering and executing online strategies, including website, email, social media, and digital advertising campaigns Lead email writing, list preparation, deployment and key member for e-Communications plan Proactively investigate opportunities and handle any issues, working closely with key stakeholders Contribute to the successful execution of the event experience

Program Operations Support Lead the planning and tactical execution of the annual program plans to support the successful delivery of all program targets Work with vendors and internal partners to ensure that all project deliverables are met on time, on strategy and on budget. Lead discussions with internal and external partners to ensure mutual alignment is maintained Attend briefings, research discussions, focus groups, ideation sessions, etc., as required Provide input into regional fundraising materials, assist in the delivery of training as needed Develop how-to guides, videos and support aids for successful program execution and provide input into the development of training materials for national webinars and regional training workshops Work with Fundraising Operations to review processes related to the execution of programs and identify opportunities to improve or increase efficiency Support internal customer service inquiries regarding the execution of programs

Administration Manage critical paths, including program master timeline, creative development, print and production Ensure strong and clear communication with the field team and other teams, including weekly updates with internal communication channels Ensures program resources are updated on the internal SharePoint site for regional fundrasing teams Respond to requests from internal stakeholders, volunteers Coordinate and execute weekly correspondence to the regional fundraising teams Monitor current year reports and identify areas for concern and contingency opportunities Other administrative and support functions as necessary to deliver the program

Who we need Education University degree Experience 3-5+ years of previous work experience in marketing, communications or fundraising Project Management preferred – 1-2 years’ experience Program Development and Fundraising experience preferred Working knowledge of website development, email, digital and social media Experience working with cross functional teams Skills Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence outcomes Superior multi-tasking and organizational skills in planning, executing and completing projects by deadlines Self-Motivated, works independently and collaboratively as part of a team Big picture thinking with absolute attention to detail and follow through Results driven and metrics focused with a passion for continuous improvement Focused and committed attitude to drive processes and achieve results Track record of solid working relationships with teammates and other stakeholders Sound judgment, ability to think creatively and excellent problem solving skills Demonstrated superior analytical and critical thinking skills Excellent verbal and written communication, as well as, presentation skills PC Knowledge – Word, Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Power Point, Go To Meetings

What we offer At Heart & Stroke, we make it a priority to foster a culture of caring by implementing practices and programs that foster respect, compassion, trust and attentiveness to our own and others’ health and well-being. In addition to a competitive salary, we believe that time off is integral to the personal health and wellness of our employees. We offer a generous paid time-off package including vacation days, personal days, wellness days, and paid company-wide closure between December 25 and January 1. We also provide competitive health, medical, dental and vision benefits, life insurance, disability benefits, an employee assistance program (EAP) and a defined contribution pension plan with employer matching. Our employees also enjoy a flexible hybrid working model and reimbursement for mobile phones and home office setup, as well as opportunities for professional development.

Apply now If you want to join the fight to beat heart disease and stroke, please apply by sending your resume by October 14, 2025. Applicants must be currently residing in Canada and legally entitled to work in Canada. Only those candidates that qualify will be selected for an interview. At this time, all interviews are being conducted via phone and/or video call ― we look forward to “virtually” meeting you! Accommodation We are committed to fostering an inclusive, barrier-free and accessible environment. If you have been contacted for an interview and require accommodation to participate in the recruitment and selection process, please let us know and we will do our best to address your needs.