The Surrey School District respectfully acknowledges that our schools reside on the traditional, unceded, and shared territories of Coast Salish peoples: The q̓íc̓əy̓ - Katzie, the q̓ʷa:n̓ƛ̓ən̓- Kwantlen and the SEMYOME - Semiahmoo First Nations, who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial.

Surrey Schools is the largest BC school district and the second-largest employer in Surrey.

Surrey

Schools provides quality education to over 82,000 students with 124 schools sites and a variety of other learning facilities, offering a broad range of innovative programs and services to support the learning of our students.

The Surrey School

District team of approximately 13,000 employees works tirelessly every day to ensure that children are getting the best start they can, providing the preparation to be our leaders of tomorrow.

Our Commitment Providing quality education extends beyond academic excellence; we are committed to creating and cultivating diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free environments for all applicants, employees, students, and their families.

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion & Values Our identity, as Surrey Schools, is expressed in the shared values of openness, fairness and belonging and recognizes the importance of diversity of identity and thought. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are committed to removing barriers and creating a workplace where everyone, regardless of their background, feels empowered to contribute their best.

Join us in our mission to provide the best start for children, preparing them to be the leaders of tomorrow. If you are passionate about education, diversity, and making a positive impact, we invite you to explore opportunities with Surrey Schools.

Job Summary Reporting to the Director, Advancement, the Manager, Major Gifts and Endowments is responsible for strategically identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic support for Surrey Schools. Through major gifts, gifts of equities and securities, endowments, and planned giving initiatives, along with corporate and foundation grants and sponsorships, the position secures financial support that enhances educational opportunities and helps ensure equitable access to programs and services for students across the district.

The Manager, Major Gifts and Endowments develops and implements fundraising strategies, builds relationships with donors and professional advisors, oversees donor stewardship and funding agreements, and works collaboratively with schools and departments to identify and advance funding priorities. The position also provides leadership to Advancement staff, oversees budgets and operational processes, and acts as a resource on fundraising, donor relations, and gift planning across the district.

- This is a 12-month term assignment, or until the return of the incumbent*

Responsibilities





- Develop and implement strategies to grow major gift, endowment, and planned giving programs and achieve annual fundraising goals.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, corporate, foundation, and community donors and funding partners.
- Build and maintain long-term relationships with donors, professional advisors, community leaders, and stakeholders to strengthen philanthropic support for Surrey Schools.
- Research and approach potential corporate and foundation donors, assemble statistics and stories to support pitches to corporate and foundation funders, prepare and present grant and sponsorship proposals, and develop, nurture and maintain corporate and foundation relationships to advance school district goals.
- Collaborate with school and district leaders to identify funding priorities and align donor interests with district needs and initiatives.
- Develop, review, and present compelling fundraising proposals, donor agreements, reports, and stewardship communications.
- Structure and facilitate complex gifts, including endowments, bequests, gifts of securities, gifts-in-kind, insurance, trusts, annuities, and residual interests.
- Oversee donor stewardship, recognition, reporting, and engagement activities to ensure strong donor satisfaction and retention.
- Monitor fundraising activities, revenue targets, donor engagement plans, and funding agreements to ensure compliance and successful outcomes.
- Represent Surrey Schools at community events, donor meetings, and partnership opportunities and deliver presentations to donors, stakeholders, and leadership groups.
- Develop and manage departmental budgets, operational processes, and reporting mechanisms.
- Supervise, mentor, and support Advancement staff, including performance management, workload planning, and career development.
- Provide advice and guidance across the district regarding fundraising opportunities, donor relations, gift acceptance, recognition practices, and planned giving.

Qualifications Education & Experience

- A degree in Communications, English, Marketing or Business/Finance; or an equivalent combination of post-secondary training and experience.
- A minimum of five years of relevant experience from a legal, trust, fundraising, financial, non-profit, or university background.
- Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification is considered an asset.
- Knowledge of K-12 education and public-sector fundraising environments is preferred.
- Valid BC driver's license and access to reliable transportation.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities





- Demonstrated knowledge of major gifts, planned giving, endowments, charitable tax considerations, donor stewardship, and fundraising best practices.
- Strong relationship-building, influencing, and negotiation skills, with the ability to cultivate meaningful partnerships with donors, foundations, corporations, and community stakeholders.
- Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and proposal-writing skills.
- Demonstrated ability to develop fundraising strategies, identify opportunities, and achieve revenue goals.
- Energetic, self-directed professional who works confidently and effectively in a fast-paced, relationship-focused advancement environment.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and competing demands.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, diplomacy, discretion, and confidentiality when working with sensitive donor, financial, and organizational information.
- Leadership skills with the ability to coach, mentor, and support staff performance and development.
- Strong financial acumen, including budget management, revenue forecasting, and stewardship of donor funds.
- Proficiency with donor management systems, fundraising databases, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Commitment to collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and the responsible stewardship of donor and public resources.

What We're Offering

- Comprehensive Benefits Package
- Extended Medical, Vision and Dental
- Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Employee Family Assistance Program
- Municipal Pension
- 13 Paid Holidays, plus Sick & Vacation Time
- Supportive workplace with a positive and productive work environment. Feel a sense of security and safety to act, speak, and reflect who you are

The salary range for this position is $103,613 to $129,516 per year with comprehensive benefits package and Municipal Pension. Placement in the salary range is determined by an assessment of qualifications and ability to meet the key requirements of the job, and consideration of internal equity comparisons. The midpoint of the range represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications, and experience for the position.

Qualified applicants can apply by clicking the "apply" button to the right of the posting. The closing date for this position is September 4, 2026 at 4:00 pm. Surrey Schools recognizes the importance of accessibility and supporting the diverse needs of our community. If there is any accommodation you may require for your interview, whether related to accessibility or otherwise, please do not hesitate to advise and we will make every effort to meet your needs.

Note: Successful applicants will be required to consent to a Criminal Records Search prior to employment. Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. To all others, thank you for your interest.

📌 Manager, Major Gifts & Endowments (Surrey)
🏢 Surrey Schools (School District #36 Surrey)
📍 Surrey