The Canadian Opera Company seeks a Chief Development Officer

Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts; Toronto; On-site; CAD 225,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cultural organization in Toronto is seeking a Chief Development Officer (CDO) to lead fundraising initiatives, ensuring financial sustainability. The role entails developing a multi-year strategy, managing a team, and overseeing significant campaigns. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in fundraising, team leadership, and a passion for the arts. The position offers a competitive salary range of $225K to $250K, along with benefits.

Benefits

Health & dental benefits

RRSP plan

Qualifications

• Proven success in securing major and transformational gifts.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing large-scale fundraising campaigns.
• Knowledge of Canadian charitable law and CRA regulations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with artistic goals.
• Lead a major campaign focused on closing the operational funding gap.
• Partner with senior staff to cultivate major gift prospects.

Skills

Fundraising

Major gift solicitation

Strategic planning

Team management

Relationship building

Education

Minimum 10 years of leadership experience

CFRE designation or equivalent

Tools

Tessitura

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Founded in 1950 and based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company (COC) is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the most innovative opera companies in North America, bringing extraordinary stories to life through music and song. The company performs out of the stunning Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, the first purpose-built opera house in the country. It typically presents 45 mainstage and 80 free performances each season, hosting over 125,000 visitors in the space every year.

As a leader in world-class opera, the COC is committed to artistic innovation, creative risk-taking, and deepening the impact of opera across Canadian society. With its full-time renowned COC Orchestra, dedicated and award-winning COC Chorus, and a highly skilled and passionate workforce, the COC is one of Canada’s largest performing arts employers and plays a vital role in the country’s cultural landscape, as well as and in the lives of audiences nationwide.

Beyond its significant achievements on-stage, artistic development and access lies at the heart of the company’s values with the company firmly dedicated to supporting impactful education, training, and community initiatives that inspire the next generation of artists and audiences.

THE ROLE

The COC is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and collaborative Chief Development Officer (CDO). This is an exciting opportunity to ensure the financial viability of a national cultural organization as the senior fundraising leader at the COC and key member of the executive team.

Reporting to the General Director, the CDO leads all aspects of the COC’s $13-15M annual contributed revenue program, including fundraising, major and planned giving, corporate and foundation support, donor stewardship, and special campaigns. The CDO also works closely with the Canadian Opera Foundation to grow the its endowment and ensure long-term sustainability.

Managing a team of approximately 20 staff, the CDO will lead the implementation of a bold, comprehensive campaign to address current operational needs and secure significant endowment funds for the company’s future. This role is ideal for a strategic, collaborative, and results-oriented leader who is passionate about the arts and possesses a deep understanding of the philanthropic landscape in the GTA, major gift fundraising, and campaign leadership.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with the COC’s artistic and strategic goals.
• Lead a major, comprehensive campaign focused on closing the company’s operational funding gap and significantly growing its endowment.
• Partner with the General Director, Board members, Foundation trustees, and senior staff to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward transformational and major gift prospects.
• Oversee all streams of contributed revenue : major gifts, individual annual giving, corporate sponsorship, foundations, planned giving and special events.
• Personally manage a select portfolio of up to 50 major donors and prospects, with a focus on six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Ensure rigorous moves management, forecasting, and goal tracking using Tessitura and other CRM tools.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to ensure compelling donor messaging and engaging annual and campaign materials.
• Lead, mentor, and support a development team of up to 20 professionals.
• Establish performance goals, provide coaching, and support the team’s professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the Development department.
• Establish and nurture a culture of philanthropy within the Canadian Opera Company.

Board & Foundation Relations

Serve as the primary development liaison to the Canadian Opera Company’ Fundraising Committee and support committees of the COC Board of Directors and the Canadian Opera Foundation as required.

Ensure excellent stewardship and integration of donor communications across the COC and the Foundation.

Operational Oversight

Work with the Finance team to ensure accurate revenue tracking, reconciliations, and CRA compliance.

Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and ethical fundraising standards.

Lead departmental budgeting, planning, and reporting functions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in development, including managing large teams and campaigns.

Proven success in securing major and transformational gifts.

Demonstrated experience planning and executing large-scale fundraising campaigns.

Superior relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills.

Knowledge of Canadian charitable law and CRA regulations; familiarity with U.S. fundraising practices is an asset.

Strategic thinker with a collaborative and solution-oriented mindset.

Proficiency with CRM systems (Tessitura preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite.

CFRE designation or equivalent is an asset.

Passion for the performing arts and a commitment to the COC’s mission and values.

Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed. Occasional travel in Ontario and internationally may be required.

COMPENSATION

The salary range for this role is between $225K to $250K. The COC offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, including health & dental benefits and an RRSP plan.

The COC is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

The COC is committed to providing accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please let us know at the time of application.

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