Job Description

Company Description
At The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, our mission is to create a world free from the fear of cancer. Cancer remains the number one cause of death for Canadians and our top priority is to accelerate cancer research and care.
Our role is to garner support for Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the world's leading cancer research and treatment centres, through philanthropy, fundraising events, and our world-renowned lottery program. The work we accomplish drives groundbreaking research, relentless innovation, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients and their loved ones.
Now, we have an opportunity to blaze an even brighter future for everyone affected by cancer.
We will Carry The Fire for cancer patients everywhere, lighting the way forward through discovery, reigniting our commitment to transform cancer outcomes and ease the profound suffering cancer causes patients and their loved ones.
At the PMCF, every one of us carries the fire for someone else. Join us as we inspire a movement and help us achieve our vision to change the way we understand, diagnose, and treat cancer.

Union: Non-Union
Site: 700 University Ave
Department: Major and Estate Giving
Reports to: Director, Major and Transformational Gift Communications
Hours: 35 Hours
Hiring Range: $70,000 - $85,000
Status: Permanent, Full Time
Posted Date: July 24, 2025
Closing Date: August 20, 2025
Established in 1982, PMCF has been setting daring and audacious goals with a mindset that is driven by our culture and passion for the cause. We have pioneered many successful fundraising programs, including our world-leading Princess Margaret Home Lottery, and some of the world's largest peer-to-peer cancer fundraising events, and have sophisticated Major & Transformational Gifts and Estates & Gift Planning programs.
Reporting to the Director of Major and Transformational Gift Communications, the Science Communications Specialist (Writer) will be responsible for developing compelling major gift proposals and impact reports, and translating complex scientific and medical research into high-quality, donor-friendly communications. They will partner with scientific, clinical and executive leadership to shape philanthropy projects that align with strategic and business goals, while serving as an in-house knowledge resource on scientific and medical concepts. The individual will work collaboratively with a passionate team to support the needs of the Major & Transformational Gift team and the organization as a whole.
Accountabilities

• Research, write, develop and format compelling and persuasive fundraising proposals and impact reports for individual donors, corporations, and foundations, and other writing needs for the Major and Transformational Giving team
• Research and translate complex cancer research and care information into engaging materials for donors
• Lead internal and external meetings with Foundation staff, clinicians, researchers and patients to gather source materials and obtain approvals
• Edit, review and amend work in a timely manner in response to feedback from Foundation and Cancer Centre partners
• Serve as project manager for each assignment, from initial strategy meeting through to final design and production
• Provide support to fellow team members by proofreading, copy-editing and ensuring the scientific accuracy of materials

Technical Skills & Capabilities

• Exceptional writing, storytelling, copy editing and research skills with the highest attention to detail, and the ability to make a persuasive case in proposals and convey the impact of philanthropic support in reports, as well as other donor communications (e.g. PowerPoint presentations, briefings, infographics, stories)
• Experience conducting insightful interviews, capable of eliciting both critical information and compelling narratives
• Demonstrated experience understanding, analyzing and synthesizing complex data, and translating medical and scientific content for a broad (non-medical) audience
• Strong critical thinking and communication skills, both oral and written, and ability to work independently
• Extremely well organized in order to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines
• Strong design sense and ability to present communications materials and information in a visually compelling manner an asset

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to partner with clinicians and scientists in a professional manner, and to develop and leverage professional working relationships
• Highly inquisitive and comfortable working with ambiguity to find clarity
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to execute deliverables within stated timelines
• Proactive mindset to anticipate project challenges

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science/health-related discipline is required. Masters' degree is preferred
• Minimum five years of experience writing scientific content, research grants or journalism content is required
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), project management tools (Asana) and graphic design programs (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)
• Strong alignment with the values of Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism (IDEAA)

Additional information
How to apply: Applications require the submission of three writing samples, preference given to content about science, health and technology and whose primary audience is the lay public.
Additional Information
We believe that the way we work together is just as important as what we accomplish. By making choices and taking actions that align with our values, we achieve greater success, and our work lives become happier and more meaningful.
At PMCF, we strive to foster a culture built on Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence (CARE). Central to these values is our commitment to IDEAA: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism.

• Experience a sense of purpose that you won't get anywhere else, in any other job. You will be making a difference for millions of people impacted by cancer
• We have an open and approachable culture that enables you to bring your best ideas forward
• We offer a hybrid work environment with Tuesday, Thursday and one other day per week in office, or as required subject to business needs

UHN is a respectful, caring, and inclusive workplace. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity and welcomes all applicants including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, persons with disabilities and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the Bona-fide requirements for the open position. Applicants need to make their requirements known when contacted.
All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.
UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.
Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.
UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.