Director of Marketing & Development

Company Overview

The Organization

The Centre In The Square Inc. (CITS Inc.) is a not-for-profit corporation, and registered charity, established in 1981 to maintain, operate, manage, and program the 2,000-seat state-of-the-art performing arts theatre – The Raffi Armenian Hall – and the Studio Theatre, situated in the Civic District of Downtown Kitchener.

CITS Inc. works in the public interest as a presenter and arts enabler, playing a leading role in showcasing the best in local, national and international performers, with over 140 shows and concerts a year for the benefit of the entire region and beyond. Concerts, plays, theatrical productions, lectures and comedy are but a few of the genres featured regularly throughout the year.

Housed in the CITS building is also the independently operated Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery. Local cultural groups such as the Grand Philharmonic Choir, who present their own programs at CITS, are valued partners. CITS Inc. also values opportunities for non-traditional partnerships and is committed to providing

access in and around the theatre, and expert technical support, for rehearsals, workshops, displays, exhibits, and special events, in order to empower and enable artists of all ages and experience levels.

As a charitable organization, CITS Inc. receives an annual operating grant from the City of Kitchener that covers a portion of its expenses. Other revenue is self-generated through ticket sales, rentals, concessions, sponsorships, fundraising and grants from foundations and other levels of government.  It is the vision of this organization to engage the community and bridge the space between artist and audience in a dynamic and sustainable way. The Centre In The Square has a committed and active Board of Directors of 14, led by Chair, Dan Carli and staff led by Executive Director Eric Lariviere.

Job Description

CENTRE IN THE SQUARE (CITS) is seeking a creative and energetic individual to serve as its next Director of Marketing & Development. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Marketing & Development will be responsible for developing and implementing the strategic direction for all marketing and fundraising activities of CITS. The Director of Marketing and Development will have the responsibility to build the capacity and the teams in the Marketing, Development and Communication areas,  and will work collaboratively with the senior leadership team to create strong development and marketing strategies.

The Director of Marketing & Development will build and manage the CITS brand and all aspects of marketing, communications, box office and ticketing through KW Tickets and fundraising, to raise the awareness of the organization in the community, increase audiences and drive earned and contributed revenues.

The Director of Marketing & Development will oversee and develop strategies to secure annual, planned giving, and donor-directed gifts through targeted campaigns, annual and monthly giving programs, donor stewardship efforts, and grants. The Director of Marketing & Development will personally manage and develop a prospect portfolio aimed at significantly cultivating major gifts,  sponsorship support, and partnerships for CITS.

The ideal candidate will have a drive to build public and private sector support, to build audiences for CITS from the region to maximize ticket sales, fundraising, donor stewardship and marketing campaigns that drive earned and contributed revenues and visibility in the community. This is an exciting opportunity for a creative professional who can bring together their vision, experience, and passion for a wide range of artistic and community endeavours. The Director of Marketing & Development will want to invest in the success and growth of Centre In The Square and will find personal fulfillment in being part of an exciting future for the organization.

Director of Marketing & Development Roles and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Centre in the Square’s Executive Director, the Director of Marketing & Development is responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all marketing and development programs and platforms. The Director of Marketing & Development will be responsible for:

Marketing, Leadership and Accountability

• Understand and clearly articulate CITS’ brand programs, history, culture, values, strategic plan, and season to ensure the continuing relevance and growth of earned revenue.
• Regularly report on earned revenue goals and progress to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Demonstrate respectful, effective, and appropriate communication to achieve organizational buy-in for a variety of earned revenue initiatives.
• Create effective communication strategies and develop, cultivate, and enhance CITS’s relationships in the KW community.
• Speak and present in a clear and credible manner, listen to diverse perspectives, and set mutually beneficial expectations with a variety of stakeholders.

• Remain current on and adapt to the cultural, economic, and political developments that affect earned revenue goals and strategies in the non-profit sector.
• Model behaviours that create trust, build confidence and encourage others to follow suggested paths or approaches.

Marketing & Communication Planning and Implementation

• Develop partnerships with external stakeholders and media outlets to support marketing, communication and ticketing projects, and initiatives.
• Create customized subscription, group, and single ticket campaigns to support all sales activities
• Process a clear understanding of the fast-changing marketing environment leading to the design, implementation and ongoing management of a strategic marketing plan, to significantly increase earned revenue.
• Ensure the marketing and communication area adhere to long-term strategic and operational plan goals, coordinating and presenting regular progress reports to the Executive Director.
• Use the organization’s formal and informal social and technical structures to build relationships, negotiate solutions, and accomplish goals.        
• Guide, build and mentor, the marketing and communication team’s successful achievement of earned revenue goals, with an emphasis on identifying, cultivating, and securing new earned revenue sources.
• Lead the development, implementation, and management of company-wide short and long-term communication and story-telling strategies, plans and narratives, both internally and externally, to maximize media coverage and public awareness of key initiatives.
• Monitor, evaluate and adjust plans to optimize performance.
• Direct the planning and execution of strategies that increase national and international awareness of CITS as a destination.
• Lead the team to determine key audiences and influencers and evaluate and revise activities to accomplish organizational goals.

Development Leadership and Accountability

• Develop and implement long- and short-term strategies for fundraising with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and key community and business stakeholders.
• Understand and clearly articulate CITS’ programs, history, culture, values, strategic plan, season, and financial strategy to foster the continuing relevance of sponsorship, philanthropic and grant support.
• Identify key policy and funding issues of strategic importance and develop a comprehensive approach to address these issues to CITS’ benefit.
• Regularly report on development goals and progress to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Proactively mobilize the Board of Directors, and volunteers, and in partnership with the Executive Director, drive fundraising activity and personal engagement with top prospects, sponsorships, and special events.
• Develop, cultivate, and enhance CITS’ relationships in the community.
• Remain current on and adapt to the cultural, economic, and political developments that affect goals and strategies in the non-profit sector.
• Model behaviours that create trust, and respect, build confidence, and encourage others to follow suggested paths or approaches.

     Development Planning and Implementation

• Develop partnerships with all of CITS’ departments to support annual giving programs, sponsorships, special projects, and events.
• In conjunction with the Executive Director, plan, and coordinate fundraising activations and campaigns.
• Create innovative funding approaches that support the financial health and future sustainability of the organization.
• Create customized donor stewardship and recognition opportunities to support expanded fundraising activities.
• Create, implement, and manage a strategic development plan designed to significantly increase contributed revenue.
• Establish solicitation priorities, manage prospect lists, and research, develop and execute targeted cultivation plans and solicitation strategies for a range of prospects. Maintain a portfolio of donors, cultivating and soliciting major gifts for the annual fund, special events, special programs, and specific fundraising for the institutional endowment.
• Ensure that the development area adheres to long-term strategic and operational plan goals, coordinating and presenting regular progress reports to the Executive Director.
• Direct all aspects of development including stewardship, special events, cultivation, benefits fulfillment, daily donor interaction, and volunteer management.
• Use the organization’s formal and informal social and technical structures to build relationships, negotiate solutions, and accomplish goals both internally and externally by building meaningful relationships within the Arts including collaboration with Arts Commons and other resident companies.
• Build, guide and mentor the development team’s successful achievement of contributed revenue goals for individual, corporate, foundation, special events, and institutional endowment, with a personal emphasis on identifying, cultivating, and securing new sources of funding.

Administration and Oversight

• Oversee the development and marketing departments and supervise the staff by setting clear expectations and ensuring their continuing growth and professional development.
• Influence and inspire others to act in an energetic, committed fashion in pursuit of a positive organizational culture.
• Ensure that the necessary organizational structure and adherence to CRA and Ontario Municipal Affairs’ regulations and guidelines are followed and that policies, system controls, and procedures are in place and regularly reviewed for effectiveness.
• Prepare and monitor revenue and expense budgets; provide accurate reporting, analysis, and integration of data; and oversee the maintenance and integrity of donor and prospect records.
• Guide a regular process of staff review and evaluation that ensures the highest ethical standards in all departmental activities.
• Lead by example and mentor the development and marketing staff in utilizing available data and systems to analyze and document fundraising needs and opportunities.
• Ensure revenue goals are met, proactively identifying potential shortfalls, and strategizing creative options that lead to fulfillment.
• Prepare financial and statistical analysis of marketing and development initiatives and use this information to improve earned revenue and fund development activities.
• Project anticipated revenue and expenses for programs and review progress quarterly with the Executive Director.
• Assess current technology and refine development practices to ensure maximum efficiency and results.
• Embrace other administration and oversight roles and responsibilities as needed.

Traits and Characteristics

Collaborative, proactive, dynamic, self-motivated, detail and people-oriented, the Director of Marketing & Development will be goal-oriented and will possess exceptional time management, social and verbal communication skills and value frequent interaction and collaboration with others. The Director of Marketing & Development will be an experienced professional with the vision to actively pursue the Centre in the Square’s goals with creativity and determination and will have a high degree of personal accountability – with a commitment to exceeding expectations.

The Director of Marketing & Development will lead marketing and fundraising strategies in accordance with the mandate of the organization and will be a connector between CITS and the KW communities.

This individual will balance tasks and projects with a sense of urgency and possess superlative interpersonal and communication skills that articulate compelling verbal and written messages for support. A self-sufficient and self-managed professional with a highly organized strategic approach, the Director of Marketing & Development will have the ability to achieve organizational objectives with artists, staff, board members, volunteers, donors, and prospective supporters.

This individual will bring a passion for the Centre in the Square’s vision, mission, and values, with the ability to bring those to reality, and a commitment to positively impact the organization’s long-term success.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of proven and measurable experience in developing and implementing major marketing and fundraising programs, campaigns and initiatives for live arts, entertainment, and experiences.
• Experience with branding of an organization in a diverse community or region
• Have a strong knowledge of market analytics, and database development to increase audience, sales, and philanthropic support
• Successful major gift, sponsorship and partnership solicitation experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a strong problem-solver
• Experience developing effective marketing plans and donor outreach programs
• Knowledge of CITS, its programs and the KW community and culture
• Alignment with CITS’s core values
• Proven ability to network and build lasting relationships on behalf of an organization
• Demonstrated ability in analyzing areas for growth opportunities and where necessary building business cases
• Experience collaborating with high-level, respected volunteers
• Experience with CRM databases, marketing platforms and all complete Microsoft Office Suite of products is required.
• Ability to identify and adapt to changing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges
• Candidates must possess a willingness to mentor and develop team members to create a high-performing team.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or Master’s Degree.