Position: Permanent
Position Type: Full time
Branch: TFS Foundation
Location: 306 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 1T7
Start Date: January 2026
About the position:
TFS – Canada’s International School seeks an exceptional and visionary leader to serve as the President of the Foundation. This newly integrated role provides strategic oversight of advancement, fundraising, marketing, and community engagement, reinforcing a unified and mission-aligned approach to enhancing visibility, strengthening stakeholder relationships, and advancing institutional goals.
With the school in its most ambitious capital campaign to date, the President of the Foundation will play a pivotal role in guiding its direction, engaging donors, and securing the philanthropic support needed to bring this bold vision to life. The TFS Can’t Wait! campaign is a $40 million initiative that will transform the school’s Toronto and Mississauga campuses with new labs, classrooms, an auditorium, music studios, and an athletic wing. It will also strengthen the TFS Entrance Scholarship Program, opening doors to exceptional students facing financial barriers. .
Reporting jointly to the Head of School and the Foundation Board of Directors, this role serves as a key member of the Head’s Council and leads a talented team responsible for the school’s external-facing activities.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Integration
- Serve as a strategic advisor to the Head of School and Foundation Board on all matters related to philanthropy, community engagement, and marketing.
- Align advancement and engagement strategies with the TFS Strategic Plan and Master Plan.
- Promote collaboration between advancement and communications to create a seamless and impactful community experience.
- Model inclusive, values-driven leadership to inspire trust and collaboration across all stakeholder groups.
Foundation Leadership and Philanthropy
- Lead the operations and strategic growth of the TFS Foundation in collaboration with the Foundation Board Chair.
- Oversee all fundraising initiatives including the Annual Fund, Major Gifts, and an ongoing Capital Campaign.
- Guide the development and execution of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
- Prepare financial and impact reports for the Foundation Board, ensuring transparency and accountability.
- Serve as the primary contact and support to the Foundation Board of Directors, facilitating engagement, governance, and volunteer leadership development.
Marketing and Communications
- Direct the school’s strategic marketing, branding, and communications efforts to enhance visibility and reputation.
- Ensure consistent, inclusive, and mission-aligned messaging across all platforms.
- Oversee the production of print, digital, and multimedia content including internal publications and public-facing communications.
- Provide counsel on sensitive communications and public relations in collaboration with the Head of School.
Community Engagement
- Foster a vibrant culture of engagement by building connections with alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and students.
- Support the work of the Community Engagement Committee and lead key initiatives to strengthen school spirit and participation.
- Act as the primary liaison with the Parents’ Association and support its initiatives in alignment with school priorities.
- Represent TFS with warmth and professionalism in public forums, strengthening community pride and external partnerships.
Who we are looking for
We recruit candidates who embrace our TFS values of integrity, discernment, respect and engagement. The ideal candidate profile is as follows:
Leadership Competencies and attributes
- Visionary and strategic thinker with a strong understanding of independent school advancement, and engagement.
- Deep belief in the transformative power of education and community.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills; a relationship-builder with emotional intelligence and credibility.
- Demonstrated experience in leading major gift and capital campaigns, board development, and volunteer engagement.
- Culturally responsive leader with a track record of inclusive practice and fostering belonging.
- Highly organized, adaptive, and forward-thinking with a strong focus on results and institutional impact.
Qualifications
- A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in advancement, communications, or a related field.
- Proven success in major gift fundraising, campaign leadership, and community engagement.
- Experience managing integrated teams and working closely with Boards of Directors or Foundation Boards.
- Familiarity with independent or mission-aligned schools is an asset.
- Excellent English language skills are required. French bilingualism, or a willingness to develop is an asset, but it is not a requirement for this position.
What we offer
TFS is an exceptional place to work, and our offers are generous as well as competitive in the marketplace in terms of:
- A competitive compensation
- An attractive group insurance package and participation in a RRSP plan or OTPP from the first day of employment
- Generous vacation policy and additional paid time off
- A stimulating working environment
- Multiple professional development opportunities
- A rewarding career where you can make a difference
TFS welcomes applications from Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and all others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.
If you require accommodation, please notify us in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs. TFS is committed to providing accommodation throughout the recruitment and selection process.
Laverne Smith & Associates has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Toronto French School (TFS) for more information about this opportunity and to apply, please send an email to
resumes@lavernesmith.com. All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence.