Job posting: Director of Development wanted

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 cover letter and CV to editor@ricochet.media