Director of Fund Development

Company Overview

The Grand Theatre is known for world-class theatre created and built in London, Ontario. As southwest Ontario’s premiere producing theatre and one of the most beautiful theatre spaces in Canada, the company has deep ties to the community and to its artists, artisans, and technicians. 

As a vibrant cultural hub and not-for-profit professional theatre, the Grand serves to gather, inspire, and entertain audiences in London and beyond. At our home in downtown London, we create productions on two stages: the Spriet Stage (839 seats) and the Auburn Developments Stage (144 seats). The Grand season of theatrical offerings runs from September to May, and we collaborate with companies and artists across the country through our co-productions that see London-made artistic and creative work travel to audiences nation-wide. Through our successful COMPASS New Play Development Program, the Grand is committed to developing and premiering new, original works and supporting the growth and reach of theatre writers and creators. Our recently renovated venue offers a contemporary and welcoming environment that is also home to several successful music series’, community arts rentals, cultural and special events. 

A cornerstone of the organization is our place as a teaching theatre, exemplified in our many mentorship programs and highlighted in our annual Grand Theatre High School Project. As the only program of its kind in the country and currently in its twenty-sixth year, the High School Project involves as many as one hundred high school participants annually from schools across the region. These students participate at no cost and take on roles both on stage and off, in a fully realized mainstage production under the direction of a professional creative team. 

The Grand Theatre is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lnaapéewak and Attawandaron Peoples. We acknowledge with gratitude the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional Indigenous Peoples and of all the Original Peoples of Turtle Island (also known as North America). We are honoured to live, work, and tell stories together on this land. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & RECONCILIATION

The Grand Theatre is committed to creating and practicing a company culture that ensures an accessible, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming space for all.  We encourage applicants to review the Grand’s commitments to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Reconciliation on our website to confirm that your personal and professional values are aligned with this vision, and we invite you to reflect on these commitments in your submission.

Job Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Grand Theatre (London, ON), is searching for a dynamic, outgoing and collaborative fundraising professional as our next DIRECTOR OF FUND DEVELOPMENT.  Leading the Grand’s fund development strategy, activity and team, the Director is responsible to plan, implement and manage strategies to grow the Grand Theatre’s comprehensive fundraising program and achieve ambitious revenue targets.  The new Director will build deep external relationships, manage the annual giving program, cultivate major gifts, lead the formation of the Grand’s legacy giving program and lead the Grand’s special events and donor stewardship activities. The Director works in close collaboration with the Director of Business Development to realize a comprehensive business relationships program along with corporate and foundation giving portfolios.

Qualifications & Competencies

·        5-7 years of senior-level fundraising experience, or comparable business leadership or sales experience, preferably within an arts environment;

·        Professional fundraising designation (i.e. CFRE), an asset;

·        Membership in the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), an asset;

·        Demonstrable skill at building strong and lasting donor relationships;

·        Hands-on experience building and managing successful fundraising campaigns, with a proven track record;

·        Understands how to provide meticulous customer service to donors;

·        Is a strategic thinker who will drive new initiatives and enhance existing programs;

·        Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, including proofing and public speaking; sense of purpose and a tactful approach; excellent writing & proof-reading skills; and experience with public speaking are required; 

·        Understands the value the Grand plays in our community, appreciates the theatrical art form, and is passionate about ensuring the Grand’s long-term success and support;

·        Ambitious with high energy and excellent at time management;

·        Experienced at leading a team, motivating and supervising staff to a goal, while also providing mentorship;

·        Takes a meticulous approach to planning, budgeting and analysis;

·        Familiar with London and region, and able to leverage existing relationships towards success.

Essential duties and responsibilities:
Fund Development (70%)

• Set and achieve fundraising strategies and revenue goals with the ED, finance committee & board;
• Nurture relationships with current & potential donors, leading to growth of our donor base;
• Lead the planning, management, action and evaluation of all fund development strategies;
• Actively steward donors, ensure and oversee the development and implementation of donor loyalty initiatives;
• Set and achieve ambitious annual & campaign revenue targets for annual donors, major donors, capital fundraising, planned giving, endowment funds, and private foundations, including establishing a clear work plan, and metrics for success;
• Leverage relationships and contacts towards growth of raised funds;
• Effectively communicate compelling and persuasive presentations of programming & organizational aims, to secure gifts;
• Establish and maintain best practices in gift processing, data management and donor communications;
• Liaise with other Grand staff departments to identify areas for long-term funding and provide guidance and strategy on how to integrate cultivation and stewardship strategies into their everyday practices;
• Evaluate changing trends in philanthropy and develop new programs responsive to the fundraising needs of the theatre.

Special Events (15%)

• With the Director of Business Development, the Gala Coordinator and the volunteer Gala Committee, lead and grow the Grand’s annual signature event, the Grand Gala, by providing overall guiding vision, and through effective coordination, delegation, and committee engagement;
• Lead on stewardship & engagement events, including special events geared to higher-level donors;
• Convince theatre patrons, stakeholders and community members to attend and support the Grand’s special events, ensuring that events operate to maximum potential, with tickets sold to capacity, personally selling tickets as required;
• Oversee the development and implementation of strategies for increased attendance and revenue at donor events;
• Initiate, implement and evaluate potential new fundraising events;

Planned Giving (10%)

·        Create and implement a planned giving program at the Grand Theatre, along with related recognition and stewardship;

·        Identify and reach potential donors for the planned giving program;

·        Identify and undertake means to spread the word about the planned giving program.

Leadership/Management (5%)

• Lead the department, supervise and mentor staff, evaluate team success and provide support in all areas of development;
• Create and implement annual Development Plan and budget;
• Ongoing evaluation of development programs and activities;
• Lead & engage with the Grand board Fund Development Committee to garner increased support;
• Collaborate with the Director of Business Developments on support to business relationships and special events;
• Collaborate with senior leaders to action community engagement & outreach opportunities.

Other duties as assigned.