Director of Planning and Development

Director of Development Reports to : General Director
Senior Manager, Major Gifts & Events; Executive Assistant, Development; as well as a variety of contractors and vendors
Vancouver Opera Foundation Board; senior leadership team; community through voice, music, and theatre.

Vancouver Opera is regarded worldwide for its fine mainstage productions; education programs, which have reached more than 1.6 million children and their families in more
for its innovative and award-winning community programs; cross-cultural creative partnerships that have brought opera to generations of Canadians.

Proactive, dynamic, resilient, self-motivated, detail and people-oriented, the Director of Development
will have exceptional social and verbal communication skills and value frequent interaction and
The Director of Development will be an experienced and entrepreneurial
determination and will have a high degree of personal accountability and a commitment to exceeding
Director of Development will have the ability to achieve organizational objectives with staff, board
looking for a strategic development leader with an affinity for the arts to lead the fundraising team for
Under the direction of the General Director, the Director of Development
planning and directing all fundraising policies and activities,
including the annual drive, capital campaigns, grants, sponsorships and underwriting, public funding
and government relations, planned giving, capital and multi-year project giving, and fundraising for the Vancouver Opera Foundation.

Strategic Planning
~ Collaborate and partner with General Director and senior leadership team, and other appropriate

senior staff, in the development of strategic goals, objectives and metrics, including budgets and
Determine contributed revenue needs for long-term programs and projects.
Plan and execute long-term fundraising activities in support of the company’s strategic goals.
Work closely with development staff to craft all short-term and long-term fundraising plans,

Work with internal and external advisors and resources to develop case statements, materials,

and manage the pipeline of donors and prospects.
Work with the development team to create appropriate donor and sponsor recognition.
Oversee the development and maintenance of donor acknowledgement procedures.
database, and useful reports are generated for analysis.
Cultivate, solicit and follow up with key planned and foundation giving prospects and their legal

Grants, Sponsorships & Foundations
Develop corporate and foundation funding strategies and prospect management.
Provide direction in the production of effective presentation materials, customized proposals, case
statements and solicitation materials as needed.
~ Public Funding
of the Province of British Columbia, Metro Vancouver, the City of Vancouver, and other local
With the General Director, develop and implement advocacy, public information, and government

Supervise development staff and inspire success.
Develop performance plans based on metrics and industry best practices.
In collaboration with other departments as appropriate, identify training requirements for
Development staff; provide training and professional development.
o Development Committee
o Vancouver Opera Foundation
Administrative and Financial Accountabilities
Accountable for ownership of the Development budget and projections.
Create, manage, and monitor the annual development budgets and cash flow projections in
Collaborate with Finance on tax receipting requirements for special events and individual

Act as key sponsor for the Tessitura database in the Development department.
consolidating all fundraising related data and reporting
~ Participate in the broader community to further the mission and goals of Vancouver Opera.
Attend performances and other events throughout the year and as needed

Master’s degree in a related field and/or equivalent experience required.
Five or more years of experience working in Development is preferred.
Familiarity with donor management systems/relational databases, understanding of
information management and ability to store, manipulate and retrieve data. Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
Superior attention to detail and strong ability to manage several different projects
Solid interpersonal skills with the demonstrated ability to develop and maintain productive

Work independently and very proactively with minimal direction/supervision.
Regular office hours Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. A flexible work schedule is required during
production times and for special events and activities including evenings and weekends.

A dynamic team environment in an exciting cultural hub, a strong partnership network, we deliver
amazing main stage productions, and exceptional education and community programming.
Additionally, VO offers a competitive salary, group benefits, group RRSP matching program, and paid
annual vacation. VO strives to provide meaningful employment opportunities, which reflect the range of diverse
communities in which we live and work. We recognize that our diversity, the many different and unique things we
individually and collectively bring to work each day, contributes to building a stronger workplace and
healthier communities. VO welcomes and encourages applications from women, persons of colour,
Indigenous persons, persons with diverse abilities, and members of other marginalized or under-
subject line “Director of Development”.