Chief Development Officer

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is seeking a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial and experienced fundraising leader to serve as Chief Development Officer (CDO). As a member of the Senior Leadership team, the Chief Development Officer will contribute significantly to both institutional and fundraising strategy in a dynamic environment.

This is an exciting transformational time to join the TSO team, as we embrace the ambitious goals outlined in our strategic plan and leverage our next major comprehensive fundraising campaign to support key funding priorities for the continued enrichment of the Orchestra’s artistic vitality, and innovative community-outreach initiatives.

Passionate about bringing musical excellence to the Toronto community and beyond, the Chief Development Officer will report to Chief Executive Officer, Mark Williams, and will work closely with him and Music Director Gustavo Gimeno, Board members, Foundation Trustees, colleagues, staff, and fundraising volunteers to engage current and future individual supporters, corporate and foundation donors, and other funding partners in meaningful, sustainable ways.

A primary focus of the role will be to drive the TSO’s Development strategy, plans, and operations to continue to deepen engagement with the thousands of community members who support the TSO, ensuring that annual, campaign, and longer-term goals are achieved.

The Chief Development Officer will directly lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts with principal and major benefactors. Enthusiastic about the TSO’s ability to enrich lives through musical experiences that evoke emotion and create connections, the ideal candidate will bring curiosity, strong and artful engagement skills, and the ability to listen and understand donor motivation. The successful candidate will possess exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and will be able to confidently connect and develop strong and lasting relationships with donors and colleagues alike.

Providing valuable mentoring and guidance to an enthusiastic and talented team of 17 professionals, the new incumbent will ensure good, consistent communication in fostering collaboration and accountability. As a role model who demonstrates leadership, respect, trust, and excellence, the CDO will be an inspirational coach who will continue to lead the Development team in reaching their highest potential. Open, empathetic and accessible, the Chief Development Officer will calmly ensure that team members continue to feel supported, valued, and recognized.

Collegial and proactive, with flexibility and a learner’s mindset, the CDO will understand that nurturing relationships and effective partnering with colleagues within the marketing, communications, patron services, artistic, operations, finance, and HR teams will continue to grow the TSO’s culture of philanthropy and yield the best and most sustainable results for all.

The TSO offers a competitive compensation package for this position. The hiring range for this role is $175,000 - $225,000 and a comprehensive suite of benefits is also provided.

This role offers the opportunity to work in a hybrid model and includes regular work on evenings and weekends, as dictated by programming and fundraising events. Occasional travel is required in order to meet donors or travel with the Orchestra, so a valid passport and willingness to travel internationally is required.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• A key member of the TSO’s Senior Management team, the CDO participates in decision-making related to strategic and operational planning, with an eye to relationship-building and fundraising opportunities.
• In collaboration with the CEO and senior management team, identify institutional priorities that align with donor interests and private funding streams.
• Serve as the principal fundraising strategist, accountable for the overall performance of all fundraising programs and initiatives.
• Establish, implement, and evaluate short- and long-range departmental objectives, policies, and operating procedures to ensure that goals are met or exceeded in all aspects of Development.
• In collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer, identify, recommend, and implement strategies that can be realistically employed to reach established goals. Assemble measurement criteria for each fundraising team. Report on revenue achievement at Board meetings.
• Support the work of the Nominations & Governance Committee of the Board by identifying prospective board members and helping cultivate candidates who can assist with fundraising.
• Engage, manage, and support fundraising volunteers, leveraging relationships for the organization.
• Serve as the primary steward of major and principal gift donors. Cultivate and develop authentic, sustainable relationships with the TSO’s current and future major benefactors. Manage a significant portfolio of relationships, as well as supporting the Board, CEO, Music Director, and development team with their benefactor engagement. Manage the “moves management” matrix.
• Ensure appropriate and segmented cultivation, recognition, and stewardship are in place for all donors and prospects.
• Develop and update fundraising policies, including gift acceptance, naming and acknowledgements, among others, and ensure adherence to these policies as well as compliance with the Canada Revenue Agency in executing fundraising activities.
• Develop fundraising materials for both the promotion and solicitation of fundraising needs in collaboration with Marketing.
• Oversee the development, monitoring, and administration of the Development Office’s plans, budgets, systems, and procedures.
• Serve as an enthusiastic ambassador in the community, representing and championing the TSO and its programs and impact.
• Regular attendance at TSO performances, receptions, and events to ensure appropriate donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Develop and lead a strong Development staff team. Provide direct guidance, support, supervision, and annual performance reviews for 3 direct reports, as well as leadership for the entire Development Team of 17 staff members.
• Promote a culture of high performance, collaboration, support, and continuous improvement, ensuring each team member has clear accountabilities and goals that align with and support the TSO’s goals.
• Ensure mentorship and coaching to motivate all team members to success.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Progressive experience in senior fundraising roles (8+ years) in a not-for-profit environment, preferably in the arts.
• A demonstrated passion for the arts is important, as well as an understanding of their value and positive impact in the community.
• Experience successfully securing gifts at the six- and seven-figure level through diverse revenue streams, as well as managing a complex portfolio of prospects at various stages of relationships.
• Extensive knowledge of fundraising methods and principles and demonstrated experience leading a full range of fundraising programs, including major gifts, corporations & foundations, planned giving, events, and annual fund initiatives.
• Experience developing, guiding, and supporting comprehensive campaigns.
• A proven history of inspiring, mentoring, developing, and leading high performing fundraising staff teams.
• Experience guiding, supporting, managing, and working with fundraising volunteers, including Board members and other senior volunteers.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build, manage, and maintain meaningful relationships with donors, prospects, colleagues, volunteers, and other supporters.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced level PC skills. The TSO uses Google Workplace (G Mail, Google Drive, Google Docs) and MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Experience with Tessitura or related fundraising database systems.

Work Environment Expectations

• Regular evening and weekend work for events and concert attendance (during the September to June concert season).
• Occasional travel to meet donors or travel with the Orchestra.
• Hybrid work model - opportunity to work remotely as well as in the office.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

KCI Search + Talent has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Sylvie Battisti, Senior Vice President, KCI Search + Talent by email at TSO@KCITalent.com.

All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence. Interested candidates should send resume and letter of interest to the email address listed above by May 27, 2025.

The hiring range for this position is $175,000 - $225,000 based on experience, with comprehensive benefits.

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of the City of Toronto and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide unique perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.

The TSO is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require accommodation, the TSO and KCI will work with you to meet your needs.