Individual Giving Officer
Calgary Opera
Deadline: Open until filled
Calgary Opera is seeking an individual giving officer to play a key role in fundraising and philanthropic initiatives that support the company’s mission, now and in the future, by engaging contributors and stewarding contributions from individuals and corporate entities using a donor-centric approach. This is a full-time role.
To apply please submit a brief cover letter and resume to Employment@CalgaryOpera.com.
Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found.
As a member of a four-person Development team, the individual giving officer reports to the director of development and works closely with donor services and institutional giving team members. They also collaborate with team members from across the organization, including the general director & CEO, artistic director and Marketing, Communications, Audience Services and Learning & Engagement teams.
A Flexible, Audience-Centric Approach
Calgary Opera’s most important work brings together audiences, donors, participants, and members of the public for events, performances, and programming. To do that well, most audience-serving activities are scheduled on weekday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays. Generally, regular employees are expected to work an eight-hour day (8) for 40 hours per week. The individual giving officer has a unique set of responsibilities that requires a balance of administrative and audience-serving work. To manage these competing demands, we offer a flexible approach to when and where work happens.
This includes:
- Start and end times that differ from 9am and 5pm, respectively
- Swapping weekday work for weekend work
- Working from home or other remote location with stable internet connection
Compensation & Benefits
- Annual salary based on expertise and experience, in the range of $59,000−$61,000
- Generous paid time off (vacation, flex days, lieu time)
- Supplemental health & wellness benefits RRSP with employer match
Responsibilities
Individual Giving:
- Design and implement cultivation, acquisition, and stewardship strategies that inspire deep and long-lasting engagement, including planned giving, with donor households.
- Provide support to director of development in planning and executing comprehensive and/or capital campaign.
- Cultivate and steward a portfolio of prospects and donors.
- Design and manage individual giving and annual fund appeals, including but not limited to: Calendar and Fiscal Year-End, Subscription renewal, Raffles and 50/50 initiatives.
- Create and manage content for ongoing donor engagement communications.
- Collaborate with Marketing and Communications team members to create and deploy printed and digital communications, collateral, and other media.
- Work with members of the Development team and other staff to conduct prospect research and support moves management efforts.
- Collaborate with team members from across the organization to create and produce special events for cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising.
- Collaborate with Development and Marketing team members to develop and produce Tessitura dashboards and reports that increase the company’s business intelligence, refine approaches to fundraising and philanthropy, and support the governance work of the Board.
Organizational Stewardship and Strategy
- Support a culture of philanthropy at Calgary Opera, and using a donor-centric approach, help achieve annual and long-term fundraising goals, established in consultation with the director of development.
- With the director of development and colleagues, develop a corporate sponsorship strategy and implement plans to cultivate, secure, and steward corporate support.
- Work with team members from across the organization to optimize Tessitura CRM configuration, standardize records and processes, and improve reporting and documentation.
- Collaborate with team members from across the organization to support performances, programs, events and activities.
Relationship Management and Partnerships
- Establish and maintain working relationships with: Donors, corporate sponsors, and other supporters; Members of the Calgary Opera Board of Directors, Opera staff, and volunteers; Event vendors.
- Cultivate a professional network that contributes to the company’s success.
- Professionally and positively represent Calgary Opera in the public sphere.
Ideal Attributes & Qualifications
- Demonstrates curiosity, honesty, integrity, respect and commitment to discretion and confidentiality.
- Demonstrates excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and listening).
- A self-starter who thrives in a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative work environment.
- Offers a solution-oriented mindset, excellent time management skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Passion for the performing arts and knowledge of classical music are assets.
- Team player with the ability to inspire and motivate staff and volunteers.
- Two to five years’ relevant experience in fundraising with demonstrated success in individual giving.
- Working knowledge of CRM software ideal, experience with Tessitura CRM system an asset.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, and collaboration and project management tools.
- Employment is contingent upon completion of satisfactory background check.
About These Qualifications
Studies have shown that marginalized communities such as women, LGBTQIA+ and people of color often believe they must meet every qualification before applying. Calgary Opera is dedicated to building an
inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace that fosters a sense of belonging and supports a culture of learning, so if you’re excited about this role and your experience doesn’t include every qualification, we encourage you to apply.
An Inclusive and Respectful Organization
Diversity brings a wealth of perspectives, experience, and expertise to our organization, and in turn, increases our relevance and our capacity to build community. We work every day to cultivate an inclusive and respectful environment by welcoming colleagues and members of the public with different backgrounds and capabilities, treating everyone with dignity and fairness, and maintaining a workplace that is free of harassment, discrimination, and violence. We courageously and compassionately challenge biases and assumptions. We strive to foster a sense of belonging in everyone we engage, and work to hold audiences, program participants, and event attendees to the same standards.
For support and accommodations during the application and interview process, please contact us at Employment@CalgaryOpera.com.
