Director of Development

**About The Niagara Symphony Orchestra**

For more than 75 years, the Niagara Symphony Orchestra has been instrumental in shaping and celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of Canada. Now in its 76th season, and with a renewed vision toward growth and sustainability, the orchestra’s dedication to engaging musical experiences and its ability to foster connections within the community remain as vibrant as ever. With a distinguished history of outstanding performances and recordings, along with regional tours and meaningful community partnerships, we are committed to engaging and enriching both local and broader audiences through dynamic musical experiences.

Music Director Bradley Thachuk brings a broad artistic perspective, intellectual curiosity, and a spirit of innovation to the programming of the orchestra that serves the Niagara region. The Niagara Symphony Orchestra presents a diverse array of concerts each season, featuring everything from classical masterpieces to contemporary works.

Recognizing music's profound ability to heal, inspire, and unite individuals from various backgrounds, the Niagara Symphony Orchestra is honored to connect with all audiences through a variety of educational initiatives, community outreach programs, and health and wellness projects.

**Job Summary**:
**Position Overview**

The **Director of Development** will lead all aspects of fundraising and development for the orchestra, including major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grant writing, and donor stewardship. The Director of Development will work alongside the Executive Director, Fundraising Committee, and staff to achieve revenue goals that support the orchestra’s artistic and educational initiatives.

This is a unique opportunity for a creative and results-driven professional to play a pivotal role in advancing the NSO’s impact in the orchestral landscape.

**Key Responsibilities**:
**Fundraising Strategy & Execution**
- Develop and implement an integrated development plan to achieve annual and multi-year fundraising goals.
- Oversee all fundraising activities, including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation support, and special events.
- Identify new revenue streams and opportunities for donor engagement.
- Design and launch annual and specialized giving campaigns.
- Track giving metrics to ensure targets are on track.

**Major Gifts & Individual Giving**
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donors and prospects, ensuring a personalized approach to relationship-building.
- Develop tailored strategies for securing significant gifts, including planned giving initiatives.
- Manage and cultivate the current database of large donors.

**Corporate & Foundation Support**
- Cultivate current Foundation relationships and source new Foundation support.
- Build and strengthen relationships with corporate sponsors, securing funding and in-kind contributions.
- Write compelling grant proposals and manage foundation relationships to secure and sustain program funding.

**Donor Stewardship & Community Engagement**
- Design and implement innovative stewardship programs to recognize and retain donors.
- Cultivate current donors with regular and healthy communication and stewardship practices.
- Collaborate with the marketing and communications team to ensure consistent messaging and donor acknowledgment.
- Represent the NSO at all concert events as the main point of contact for large donors and VIPs.
- Represent the NSO at donor events and special public events and with key community stakeholders.

**Leadership & Team Management**
- Lead and mentor the development team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
- Work closely with the Executive Director and fundraising committees to achieve development objectives.

**Administration**
- Implement fundraising and development strategy and goals set out by the Executive Director and Fundraising Committee.
- Attend weekly staff meetings to report on fundraising and development.
- Maintain records of Donor, Sponsor, and Endowment information.
- Attend monthly concerts to provide front of house support, project manage VIP donor lounge, and attend to VIP guests.

**Qualifications**:

- **Education**: Bachelor’s degree in Music, Arts Administration, Fundraising, or a related field (or equivalent work/education experience).
- **Experience**: 4+ years of experience in Development and Fundraising, preferably within a performing arts organization (or related field). Experience with live music or orchestras will be considered an asset.
- **Skills**:

- Proven experience in fundraising, sponsorship, grant writing, or community engagement.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Excellent customer service and stewardship skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, follow-through, and meet deadlines.
- Exhibit a positive attitude and be an example to others in the areas of problem-solving, teamwork, interpersonal relation