Institutional Giving Officer
Calgary Opera
Deadline: Open until filled
Salary compensation: $54,000 – $56,000
Role: Full-time
The institutional giving officer plays a key role in fundraising and philanthropic initiatives by establishing and maintaining strong, positive relationships with government, corporations, foundations and other institutional funders that support the company’s mission, now and in the future. The institutional giving officer is responsible for researching and identifying potential funding organizations and opportunities, creating proposals and applications, maintaining records of past and current funding proposals, and managing funder reporting requirements. 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 institutional giving officer reports to the director of development and works closely with donor services and individual giving team members. They also collaborate with team members from across the organization, including the general director & CEO, artistic director, finance, 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 $54,000 – $56,000
- Generous paid time off (vacation, flex days, lieu time)
- Supplemental health and wellness benefits
- RRSP with employer match
Responsibilities
Institutional Giving
- Research and identify potential funding organizations and opportunities:
- Prepare and write compelling and effective proposals that bridge funding organizations’ and Calgary Opera’s program priorities
- Organize regular stakeholder meetings to discuss opportunities, issues and recommendations.
- Cultivate and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with funding partners and agencies
- Monitor, collect, and collate reporting requirements to provide timely and complete reporting to funding partners.
- Manage institutional funder constituent records in Tessitura CRM to monitor and track submitted, pending, and awarded proposals and associated deliverables.
- Collaborate with Finance team members to proactively manage financial components of both grant applications and reporting.
- Collaborate with Development 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 funder-centric approach, help achieve annual and long-term fundraising goals, established in consultation with the director of development.
- 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, special events and activities.
Relationship Management and Partnerships
- Establish, maintain and build strong working relationships with:
- Government and other institutional funders, including corporate sponsors, private foundations, 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
- 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.
- Demonstrates curiosity, honesty, integrity, respect and commitment to discretion and confidentiality.
- Demonstrates excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and listening).
- 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 institutional giving and/or grant-writing.
- Working knowledge of CRM software ideal, experience with Tessitura CRM system an asset.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, and collaboration and project management tools.
- Bachelor’s Degree or similar in journalism, communications or related field an asset.
- 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 colour 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.
