Major Gift Officer

The Canadian Opera Company invites applications for the position of Major Gift Officer.

The Canadian Opera Company (COC) is the largest opera producer in Canada and one of the largest in North America, recognized at home and internationally for its artistic excellence and innovation. With the COC celebrating 75 years of Canadian opera, including two decades in its award-winning performance home, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, the company has embarked on a major creative revitalization that places more inclusive programming, new creative partnerships, and expanded community reach at the forefront of the COC’s ambitious goals.

Reporting to the Director of Major Gifts, the Major Gift Officer plays a vital role in securing the future of Canadian opera by building meaningful relationships with donors and encouraging increased philanthropic investment in the company’s work.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Major Gift Officer is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors and prospects capable of contributing $10,000 or more annually. As a frontline fundraiser, the Major Gift Officer manages a portfolio of approximately 75-100 individuals and works closely with colleagues, senior staff, and volunteers to grow the base of major support. This position contributes directly to the achievement of annual revenue goals and to building a robust pipeline for future campaign and endowment support.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Manage a portfolio of 75-100 individual donors and prospects, with responsibility for identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.


• Develop and implement customized engagement strategies for each donor in the portfolio.


• Work collaboratively with the Director of Major Gifts and other team members to identify and prioritize prospects for deeper engagement.


• Collaborate with senior leadership and board members on joint solicitations and prospect strategies.


• Track and report on all donor interactions and outcomes using Tessitura and internal systems.


• Support cultivation events and performances designed to strengthen donor engagement.


• Meet annual fundraising targets through personalized and strategic outreach and stewardship.


• Support the development and execution of proposals, briefings, and stewardship reports.SKILLS

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a donor-centered approach.


• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail.


• Ability to manage multiple relationships and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.


• Collaborative and team-oriented with a solutions-based approach.


• Competence in donor database systems; experience with Tessitura preferred.


• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required.


• 3–5 years of experience in fundraising, sales, or relationship management, with demonstrated success securing gifts of $10,000+.


• Experience working in a cultural, performing arts, or nonprofit setting an asset.


• Ability to engage effectively with donors, board members, and senior executives.


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

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes evenings and weekends.


• Must be able to travel between 227 Front St. E. and the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.


• Occasional travel within the GTA and beyond may be required for donor meetings and events.

The posting will remain open until August 3, 2025. To be considered, please submit your application by that date.

ABOUT THE CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY

Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. General Director David C. Ferguson joined the company in 2024, forming a leadership team alongside Music Director Johannes Debus. The COC enjoys a loyal audience, including a dedicated base of subscribers, and has an international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation. Its diverse repertoire includes new commissions and productions, local and international collaborations with leading opera companies and festivals, and attracts the world’s foremost Canadian and international artists. The company is an incubator for the future of the art form, nurturing Canada’s new wave of opera performers and creators with customized training and support. The COC’s purpose-built opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, is hailed internationally as one of the finest in the world. For more information, visit coc.ca.

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY

The COC deeply values equity and diversity across all levels of the organization and believes in fostering an inclusive, discrimination-free environment that fully supports our team’s personal and collective success. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects our community, our city, and our country and, in turn, the COC welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and abilities who share and embrace these values of anti-racism and inclusion.

The COC is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in all parts of the hiring process. If you require an accommodation, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

The Canadian Opera Company thanks all applicants in advance, however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls or agencies please.