About Windmill Microlending:

Windmill Microlending is a registered Canadian charity that empowers skilled immigrants and refugees by offering affordable loans, coaching and mentorship to restart their careers in Canada. Since 2005, we have provided over 15,000 loans, helping newcomers triple their incomes.

We are proud to be Great Place to Work certified, boasting an 85%+ average employee engagement score driven by a culture of inclusivity, exceptional teamwork and strong leadership.

The role: 

Windmill's national Partnerships Team is tasked with growing our network of external partners amongst learning institutions, regulatory bodies/associations, corporations and other non-profits/charities. This individual’s primary focus will be on leading and cultivating a team to identify new partnership opportunities, negotiate mutually beneficial agreements, and foster strong working relationships with partners to grow our number of clients nationwide.

As part of a nationally focused organization, the Manager, Partnerships is a business development role primarily focused on Ontario and the Atlantic provinces and providing support nationally.        The top candidate will be a tenacious relationship builder with demonstrated experience developing and managing effective teams and with research skills identifying organizations that can provide beneficial services or products for our clients. Reporting to the Associate Director, Partnerships, the role is a key strategic contributor to Windmill’s broader Partnerships department, as part of a dynamic and committed management team.

Key responsibilities: 

Strategic partner development (60%)

• Lead the execution of Windmill’s strategy to engage key  partners to develop and grow our footprint across Canada, with a specific focus on Ontario and the Atlantic provinces 

• Drive loan applications to meet set targets by cultivating strategic, referral-driven relationships

• Engage directly with key partners, potential clients, and broader audiences through meetings, public presentations, major events, and conferences

• Collaborate with the marketing and communications team and the broader partnerships team to align messaging and maximize outreach effectiveness

• Leverage data and AI tools to automate engagement with small partners, allowing greater focus on high-value relationships

• Stay informed on industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging market opportunities to refine and strengthen Windmill’s approach

• Monitor and track the performance and impact of partnerships, providing regular analysis and reporting to the National Director

• Seek opportunities for Windmill to demonstrate leadership and credibility in relevant immigration and newcomer support sectors

Team leadership and development: (30%)

• Provide leadership to the team, setting clear expectations and communicating the organization's vision and objectives

• Develop and implement strategies to enhance performance, productivity, and efficiency

• Motivate and inspire team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work culture

• Identify team members' strengths and areas for improvement, and provide coaching and support to help them achieve their potential

Cross-functional collaboration: (10%)

• Collaborate with various internal teams to ensure seamless integration and execution of partnership initiatives 

• Work closely with the marketing team to create joint marketing campaigns and promotional activities to highlight big partnership wins and build brand visibility 

• Engage with the data team to explore opportunities and product integrations with partners to improve our loan experience within the company's capabilities and resources

Ideal candidate: 

You will have an ambitious growth mindset and relish the prospect of playing a key role in the evolution of a dynamic, entrepreneurial, high-impact charity. You share our passion for helping skilled immigrants prosper, for reducing poverty in Canada, and for helping to create inclusive prosperity. As the ideal candidate, you are a talented and energetic relationship builder, experienced in sales and business development. You are a strategic thinker who can create a plan and set priorities for yourself and your team. You are an excellent manager who works collaboratively with your colleagues and direct reports, and acts as a role model and mentor through your professionalism, work ethic, collegiality and warmth. 

In team meetings, you are comfortable articulating and defending a point of view that your colleagues and supervisor do not share, and having your thinking challenged and stretched by them. You are a great listener and an excellent communicator in meetings and can support decisions unreservedly, whichever way they go. You relish the opportunity to work with an Associate Director who shares your enthusiasm and energy for partnership development and works closely with you to support a partnership-oriented approach. 

Qualifications and knowledge:

• Minimum 3 years’ building relationships, securing new business relationships (sales experience, relationship/account management experience)

• Management experience and an aptitude for managing, motivating, and inspiring a small staff team. 

• Personal or professional knowledge of the immigrant experience

• Not-for-profit experience and/or experience as a volunteer within the immigration sector

• Intermediate to advanced Google Workspace skills (Gmail, Drive, Gemini, Docs, Sheets, Calendar)

Competencies and characteristics:

• A partnerships and sales professional with 3-plus years of experience and a track record in business development, sales or fundraising

• Experience building and managing a partnerships or sales pipeline with a proven ability to initiate, develop and enhance key relationships that create measurable outcomes

• Strategic thinker with strong planning and logistical skills; motivated by ambitious targets for growth

• The ability to prioritize opportunities according to their potential value; utilizing strong organizational and execution skills

• A skilled communicator who engages and motivates partners, donors, volunteers, staff, board members, and investors. 

• A roll-up-your-sleeves team player, eager to embrace and execute new ideas in an entrepreneurial environment. 

• Excellent English writing, speaking, and presentation skills; in person and on digital platforms. French language skills an asset.

• Highly motivated to address labour market integration challenges internationally trained/educated immigrants face. 

• Technically literate; experience working within a CRM database, and capable of enhancing team member’s training 

Compensation and benefits:

• Starting salary range $80,000-$85,000 annually, based on skills and experience required 

• One-year contract for a maternity leave

• Full-time position, 40 hours/week

• Hybrid work solution with a minimum two (2) days in the office

• Position available in Toronto 

• Three weeks’ vacation, plus a company-wide winter break

• Benefits plan – medical, dental, short & long-term disability, and life insurance

• Annual Wellness Budget to support personal well-being

• Evolving DEI initiatives – our staff is representative of our client base