Description

Powered by Passion. United by Purpose. Build for Impact. 

 

At Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership (MLSE), we exist to deliver the ultimate fan experience by lifting trophies, spirits, and communities – united as one. 

 

We’re more than a workplace. We are a team of passionate people, boldly building the future of sport and entertainment, together. We believe in the power of play, the strength of collaboration, and the energy that comes from showing up with purpose. 

 

From the ice to the pitch, the hardwood to the digital arena, we’re proud to be the driving force behind the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), the Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC (MLS), Toronto Argonauts (CFL) and development teams with the Toronto Marlies (AHL), Raptors 905 (NBA G League), Toronto FC II (MLS NEXT Pro League) and Raptors Uprising Gaming Club, the Toronto Raptors Esports franchise in the NBA 2K League.  

 

We bring these teams – and world-class entertainment – to life at our iconic venues, including Scotiabank Arena, BMO Field, Coca-Cola Coliseum, Ford Performance Centre, BMO Training Ground, and OVO Athletic Centre. Off the field, we serve up elevated dining at e11even, Real Sports, and our signature club spaces like Hot Stove Club, ScotiaClub, and Platinum Club. 

 

Through MLSE Foundation and MLSE LaunchPad, we use the power of sport to help youth facing barriers reach their full potential. Since 2009, we’ve invested more than $45 million into Ontario communities — and we’re just getting started.  

 

This is what it means to be One MLSE: a culture where everyone plays a role, everyone belongs, and everyone contributes to something bigger than themselves. 

 

So, if you’re ready to play with purpose, grow with passion, and win as one, we’d love to have you on our team. 

** We know that great candidates come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Even if you do not meet every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply. Your unique perspective, transferable skills, and lived experience may be exactly what we’re looking for. **

Job Description

About MLSE Foundation

MLSE Foundation believes in the power of sport to change lives. With the support of MLSE’s teams and community partners, we invest in programming, capital projects, and partnerships that expand opportunity for youth across Ontario. As MLSE Foundation enters a multiyear campaign period and deepens its major gifts work, this role plays a pivotal part in strengthening donor relationships and fueling long term philanthropic growth.

Position Overview

As the Donor Relations Officer, you will manage and advance an annual major gifts pipeline of donors typically in the $25K–$100K range that supports the success of MLSE Foundation’s Major Gifts and Foundations portfolios.  You will contribute directly to the overall ~$4.5M annual Major Gifts target, providing end-to-end donor lifecycle support from cultivation through solicitation and stewardship‑to‑end donor lifecycle support.

You will act as a senior fundraising resource to the Director, Fund Development, supporting campaign cabinet activity, high value donor engagement, and cross portfolio major gift opportunities.  You will be a cornerstone of MLSE Foundation’s major gifts engine, helping to shape donor relationships that drive long-term impact across Ontario. Your work directly fuels program innovation, equity driven community investment, and the Foundation’s most ambitious campaign in its history.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Gifts Portfolio Management

  • Manage and advance a $1M portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, ensuring disciplined movement through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

  • Conduct donor meetings, create customized cultivation plans, and collaborate with senior leaders on high value solicitations.

  • Identify prospects for multi-year commitments aligned with organizational and campaign priorities.

Campaign & Cross Portfolio Fundraising Support‑Portfolio Fundraising Support

  • Serve as a senior resource in preparing campaign cabinet members for donor meetings, briefings, and strategic follow-ups.

  • Support cross portfolio opportunities by collaborating with colleagues in Community Engagement, Events, and Partnerships.

  • Participate in developing donor strategies for campaign milestones and priority funding opportunities.

Proposal Development & Donor Communications

  • Lead and/or support the creation of high-quality proposals, cases for support, tailored donor packages, impact reports, and stewardship materials.

  • Draft compelling donor correspondence, briefing notes, and call reports.

  • Ensure donor communications are timely, personalized, and aligned with MLSE Foundation’s brand and voice.

Pipeline & CRM Leadership

  • Lead disciplined pipeline management practices, including forecasting, weekly movement tracking, and portfolio reporting.

  • Play a central role in CRM (Salesforce) implementation and optimization, ensuring consistent, accurate data entry.

  • Support the adoption of prospect management standards and donor journey workflows.

Internal Collaboration & Stewardship Excellence

  • Partner with Finance, Programs, Communications, and senior leadership to ensure seamless donor stewardship and accurate reporting.

  • Contribute to donor experiences such as events, site visits, recognition moments, and tailored engagement opportunities.

  • Model best practices in donor relations that reflect MLSE Foundation’s values of equity, excellence, and community impact.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must Have Experience & Skills‑Have Experience & Skills

  • 3–5+ years in fundraising, donor relations, major gifts, or related fields.

  • Exceptional writing skills with a track record of producing donor proposals and stewardship communications.

  • Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to work comfortably with high-net-worth individuals, board members, and campaign volunteers.

  • Experience with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and strong pipeline discipline.

  • High level of professionalism, sound judgment, and ability to maintain confidentiality.

Nice to Have Skills‑to‑Have Skills

  • Demonstrated experience managing a portfolio of major gift prospects at the $25K–$100K level.

  • Experience supporting or participating in capital campaigns or multiyear fundraising initiatives.

  • Knowledge of sport for development or youth-focused organizations.

  • Ability to translate technical, programmatic, or impact data into compelling donor narratives.

Please apply by: Tuesday, March 24 at 11:59 pm

Job Posting Compensation Range/Rate:

$60,000-$70,000

Bonus, vacation, competitive benefits, and many exciting perks are also included. 

We’re glad you’re here. Once you apply, we’ll follow up by email, and you can track everything in your Candidate Portal. Want instant updates? Opt-in for SMS notifications to stay in the loop. 

 

At MLSE, we are committed to building an equitable, diverse and inclusive organization. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. MLSE will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in the job application process. If you have difficulty using our online application system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email accommodations@mlse.com. This email is only for accommodation requests. Resumes sent to this email address will not be considered.