Senior Development Officer, Individual Giving
Job Information
Founded in 1919, the Vancouver Symphony is the third largest symphony orchestra in Canada, with an annual operating budget of over $13 million. The Orchestra performs more than 140 concerts annually in some fourteen series in its home, the Orpheum Theatre, and numerous venues throughout Lower Mainland British Columbia. In addition, it can be heard regularly across Canada and the northern United States on CBC Radio broadcasts. Bramwell Tovey is the Music Director.
Reporting to the Vice President and Chief Development Officer, the Senior Development Officer, Individual Giving will be responsible for creating, implementing and managing a comprehensive Individual Giving program, from direct mail to face-to-face asks. This program will set in motion a successful fundraising plan to reach and exceed aggressive revenue targets through the implementation of new and existing fundraising programs. This position will work collaboratively with the Development Officer, Annual Giving and senior leadership staff to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors to support the goals and objectives of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
The Senior Development Officer, Individual Giving’s areas of responsibility will include the following:
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Take the lead on the Friends of the VSO campaign (gifts up to $1,499 annually) including concepts, writing and creative direction for the direct mail campaign.
- Grow the VSO’s $500+ giving program (within the Friends Campaign) with face-to-face meetings
- Develop and implement strategies to successfully move donors from the Friends Campaign to the Patrons’ Circle program (gifts of $1,500 and more annually)
- Develop and nurture strong relationships with current and prospective donors
- Organize and maintain detailed donor records and track prospect management in Tessitura (the VSO’s integrated ticketing and fundraising database)
- Contribute to the Patrons’ Circle program by meeting with and soliciting new donors annually. Ensure effective communication and relationship building that will see this group become lifelong supporters
- Carry a small portfolio of existing Patrons’ Circle members as assigned by the VP, Chief Development Officer.
- Ensure effective communication and relationship building that will see this group increase their annual support
- Work in partnership with the VP, Chief Development Officer to support their role in the Development process through Individual Giving
- Research, identify and meet with new donor prospects to build strong relationships
- Engage VSO concertgoers to become annual donors
- Create tailored asks for key individual donors / prospects based on giving history, preference and information gathered through research and personal meetings
- Develop fundraising budgets, targets and projections in consultation with the VP, Chief Development Officer
- Ensure that fundraising revenue targets from Individuals are met and/or exceeded while expenses are managed within approved budgets set in consultation with the VP, Chief Development Officer
- Ensure donor stewardship and recognition is implemented in conjunction with departmental plans
- Recruit, orient, train, supervise, support and evaluate volunteers as required
- 4+ years of fund development experience with a proven track record in donor engagement, direct mail,major gift cultivation and solicitation, stewardship and prospect research
- CFRE designation or equivalent education, training and experience
- Demonstrated successful track record in fundraising from individuals
- A mature and disciplined self starter with the ability to set objectives, activate plans and manage performance in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Organised and detail oriented
- Excellent writing and proposal preparation skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and advanced knowledge of fundraising software
- Ability to manage multiple tasks with competing priorities
- Tact, diplomacy, discretion essential.
Email cover letter and resume, in either PDF or Word format, to employment@vancouversymphony.ca by Wednesday, August 3, 2011. Please indicate “Development Position” in the subject line.
We thank all applicants for their interest in working at the Vancouver Symphony, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
601 Smithe Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 5G1
