The Canadian Opera Company is now accepting applications for the position of Development Officer, Donor Relations & Prospect Management.
PURPOSE OF ROLE
The Canadian Opera Company (COC) is in the midst of a bold revitalization, with an artistic vision and operating objectives that champion innovative and inclusive programming, new creative partnerships, and expanded community reach. Having recaptured the imagination and enthusiastic support of audiences from the GTA and beyond after the pandemic disruptions of 2020-2022, the COC is experiencing significant organizational momentum, with rejuvenated single-ticket sales, a swell of new audience members, and increased engagement from our passionate subscriber and donor community. To help us seize this exciting moment, the COC is growing its team to help us achieve our goals as we elevate the very best opera in the world, from canon classics to daring new offerings breaking ground right here in Canada.
The Development Officer, Research & Prospect Management will be responsible for driving the prospecting and pipeline process in support of fundraising at the COC. This role will work primarily with the individual giving team, while also supporting corporate and event fundraising channels in the identification and management of new potential supporters while playing a key role in developing and implementing strategies for major gift, corporate, foundation, and special event donor cultivation and solicitation. The Development Officer, Research & Prospect Management will also support the Executive Director, Philanthropy & Audiences’ portfolio of major gift corporate, and special event donors and key stakeholders by managing the oversight of CRM updates and task- based work to support securing renewals and new donations (including, but not limited to, moves management, renewals, pledge confirmation, impact reports, and fulfillment).
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Major Gift, Corporate, Foundation, and Special Event Gift Database Management
- Process and code gifts in Tessitura
- Liaise with Finance and Donations Database Officer to ensure timely processing of tax receipts
- Work with the Philanthropy & Audiences team to ensure that financial reporting for Major Gifts, Corporate, Foundations, and Special Event campaigns, and the Canadian Opera Foundation are accurate and prepared for month- and year-end reconciliation, including the COC’s annual audit
- Manage and support the moves management system in Tessitura, including regular monitoring of the pipeline
- Provide regular reporting on campaigns, especially Major Gifts and Canadian Opera Foundation Donor Cultivation/Stewardship
- Oversee Major Gift, Corporate, Foundation, and Special Events fulfillment and acknowledgement communication
- Coordinate recognition schedules for Major Gifts, Corporate, Foundations, and Special Event campaigns; liaise with Philanthropy & Audiences team members to ensure appropriate recognition and donor listings on- site and in printed and online material
- Work across the Philanthropy & Audiences team to create and implement stewardship plans for major donors
Prospect Identification and Research
- Employ a range of tools for identifying and qualifying prospects, including data mining and relationship mapping
- Identify and qualify prospects for the COC’s fundraising priorities and build a robust pipeline, with a focus on
the major gift portfolio - Develop profiles and briefing notes for prospects, including cultivation and stewardship activity recommendations
- Support individual giving officers in identifying and cultivating new relationships
- Monitor and update donor records with information obtained through prospect research, and ensure that all donor and prospect records are kept up-to-date and accurate
- Lead internal prospect identification and cultivation meeting
- Proactively research performance attendees
- Manage seat upgrade and donor lounge invitation solicitation campaign and collaborate with Annual Programs team on communications
- Compile and send monthly digest email of profiles of new PC members and capacity for renewal/upgrade
SKILLS
- Strong proficiency in CRM moves management programs (preferably Tessitura)
- Strong communications skills, including ability to analyze and synthesize data from a wide variety of sources, and present the resulting information in a clear briefing
- Display and demonstrate overall knowledge of philanthropy, fundraising processes, and prospect development initiatives, including prospect identification techniques, research practices, and prospect management
- Proficiency in the methods of information acquisition, including use of industry-standard online sources
- Proactive in anticipating and researching information related to the immediate priorities of the Advancement team
- Knowledge of relevant government legislation and industry guidelines (APRA Statement of Ethics, Donor Bill of Rights, privacy legislations)
- Discretion when dealing with sensitive and confidential information
REMUNERATION
- $55,000 – $60,000 annually
APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONS
Applications may be submitted by email to applications@coc.ca: In the subject line please write: “Development Officer, Donor Relations & Prospect Management”
Please submit a cover letter with your resume, preferable in PDF format. Only applications received by end of day, Friday, May 24, 2024 will be considered.
The Canadian Opera Company thanks all applicants in advance, however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls or agencies please.
ABOUT THE CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY
As Canada’s largest opera company, the COC deeply values equity and diversity across all levels of the organization and believes in fostering an inclusive, discrimination-free environment that fully supports our team’s personal and collective success. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects our community, our city, and our country and, in turn, the COC welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and abilities who share and embrace these values of anti-racism and inclusion.
The COC is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in all parts of the hiring process. If you require an accommodation, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.