Head of Major Gifts and Donor Relations

Join the Ontario Science Centre, one of Canada's most visited cultural attractions and a world renowned educational institution that attracts a million visitors each year. We offer hands-on experiences and insights into science and technology that help visitors of all ages understand and contribute to the world around us. Play a critical role in establishing and growing a comprehensive fund development program for individuals that supports the Centre through revenue and donor engagement strategies.

What can I expect to do in this role?

As an experienced fundraising professional you will provide leadership to the Major Gifts and Annual Giving programs for individual supporters: build the Innovators Circle for donors of $25,000+; identify prospects; prepare persuasive and inspiring funding proposals and donors communications; personally solicit donors and provide support for senior volunteers; build relationships with donors/influencers through special events and other activities; recommend and track revenue goals/expenditure levels; ensure annual targets are met; provide strategic leadership in the identification, solicitation and stewardship of donors; enhance renewals and expand the donor base through excellence in donor relations and solicitation.

How do I qualify?

Strategic Planning and Program Management Skills

• Strategic planning abilities to develop Major Gift and Individual Giving program plans and activities that will achieve revenue and growth targets
• Program management skills to lead program operations: identification, solicitation and cultivation of major and annual giving donors; donor relations program including recognition, stewardship, communications and reporting activities; and, to develop and implement administrative procedures and systems to ensure a successful program.
• Ability to prepare and manage revenue and expense targets and to analyse and evaluate effectiveness of strategies and campaigns to meet targets
• Ability to plan, execute and evaluate strategies to attract and secure donors and deliver optimal outcome of projects/programs
• Experience and skills in determining processes and systems needed to operate effective Major Gift and Annual Giving programs

Knowledge of Fundraising Principles and Practices

• Knowledge of standards and practices in annual and major gift fundraising to ensure that Science Centre fundraising programs are competitive and successful
• Knowledge of cultivation and engagement principles, and best practices
• Knowledge of fundraising research and prospecting techniques
• Knowledge and experience in major gift and annual gift fundraising techniques and trends to establish appropriate revenue targets and develop effective cultivation and sales strategies and donor relations programs
• Demonstrated knowledge of philanthropic sector

Sales/Fundraising Experience

• Demonstrated major and annual gift experience and advanced skills in managing prospects in complex medium to large organizations
• Demonstrated advancement within Individual Giving/ Major Gifts field with experience developing successful strategies and approaches for gift solicitation
• Proven track record of success with personal sales and securing philanthropic support (i.e. major gifts of $25,000 or more from individuals), preferably in an arts, cultural or educational institution.
• Proven ability to engage new prospects through independent research, prospect identification and personal engagement
• Negotiation and sales skills
• Demonstrated initiative, creativity and ability to identify and develop support opportunities linked to organizational priorities; and, experience developing customized approaches and strategically designing and positioning projects and benefits to meet both organizational and donor interests, needs and objectives
• Experience developing/implementing comprehensive cultivation, solicitation, donor relations, management plans and systems.

Relationship Management, Communication and Collaboration Skills

• Superior written skills to create compelling communications including: strategic proposals; persuasive and inspiring cultivation and solicitation documents; and, powerful engagement and stewardship communications that provide evidence of the impact of donor support
• Exceptional attention to detail to ensure creation of high quality correspondence, briefing materials, prospect profiles and other donor and program documents and communications
• Superior presentation, negotiation and relationship management skills to engage, motivate and work with donors, prospects and volunteers in successful cultivation, gift solicitation and stewardship (related attributes include ability to gain trust and confidence, to build rapport, to demonstrate tact and diplomacy)
• Ability to collaborate, promote cooperation and motivate others to contribute to development of major gift opportunities and plans; experience working with staff, communication agencies or others to develop the case for support for different funding opportunities
• Collaboration and consultation skills and experience to interact effectively with board members, senior level volunteer canvassers, CEO and senior staff

Leadership and Planning

• Demonstrated ability to plan, set and manage priorities to ensure program goals are met
• Demonstrated staff and fundraising systems supervisory and administrative experience, research, analytical, problem solving, database and organization skills
• Ability to work in a hectic, results oriented environment that is very customer focused and responsive to external priorities
• Strong organizational and analytic skills to provide evaluation of activities and results
• Experience providing effective leadership of staff and volunteers, monitoring progress and effectiveness and provide coaching and/or support as needed

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Friday, September 5, 2014 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.