Director of Development

Job Summary:

The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) has spent 27 years curating the worlds most innovative and compelling cinema for Calgary audiences. Now were looking for a senior leader to help shape what the next chapter looks like.

We are seeking a senior leader to serve as Director of Development: a critical member of CIFFs leadership team responsible for driving the organizations philanthropic and sponsorship revenue strategy and a passionate advocate for the power of cinema to connect inspire and build community. This is as senior leadership role requiring a motivated fundraising professional with a proven ability to operate at an executive level: shaping strategy leading teams cultivating major donors and advancing an impactful philanthropic vision that will help ensure CIFF thrives for the next 25 years.

The Directors primary portfolio centres on Major Gifts (gifts of $25000) and presenting partnerships with direct responsibility for building and deepening CIFFs most valuable relationships. Alongside individual giving the Director will lead the team in executing a corporate partnership growth strategy identifying new opportunities deepening existing relationships and growing this revenue stream in a meaningful way.

CIFF is a high-performing creative and energetic organization and this role reflects that. The Director of Development joins at an exciting moment of departmental growth with one of their first opportunities being the chance to hire and shape a team of two setting the tone for a dynamic Development team that matches the ambition and spirit of the organization theyll be part of.

CIFF is in Year 2 of a five-year Philanthropic Strategy targeting $400000 in annual contributed revenue by 2029 and the foundation is strong. With a fiercely loyal donor community an established annual giving program (the Giving Reel) 100 festival partners and 30000 film lovers filling venues each September this is an organization with a genuine and compelling story to tell. The Director of Development will be the bridge between that story and the donors partners and community members who want to be part of it.

This is a permanent year-round position with a target start date of October 15 2026 (open until a suitable candidate is found).

Day to Day Responsibilities:

Major Gifts & Individual Giving

• Lead and manage CIFFs major gifts program with a focus on cultivating soliciting and stewarding donors at the $25000 level
• Serve as relationship lead for CIFFs Presenting Partner and other key strategic funders
• Lead stewardship and renewal of the Giving Reel CIFFs flagship individual giving program including personalized donor engagement and benefits fulfillment
• Develop and implement strategies to grow major gifts and individual giving revenue year-over-year in alignment with CIFFs five-year Philanthropic Strategy
• Plan and execute donor cultivation and stewardship events in consultation with the Executive Director including annual impact-driven events for Giving Reel donors
• Oversee implementation of CIFFs Holiday Fundraising Campaign and other signature individual giving initiatives
• Oversee delivery of accurate and timely processing of gifts charitable tax receipts and donor acknowledgements

Senior Leadership

• Serve as a senior leader within CIFFs management team contributing to organizational strategy decision-making and cross-departmental collaboration
• Champion a culture of philanthropy across the organization supporting staff and board members in understanding and embracing their roles in the fundraising process
• Work in close partnership with the Executive Director on fundraising strategy board engagement and major donor relationships
• Represent CIFF externally as a senior ambassador for the organizations philanthropic mission

Team Leadership & Management

• Lead the hiring and onboarding of two new Development Officers as part of CIFFs departmental restructure with both positions coming on in the early months of this role
• Provide ongoing mentorship strategic direction and performance accountability to both Development Officers fostering a collaborative and results-oriented team culture aligned with CIFFs values and philanthropic goals
• Work with the Executive Director to assess and plan future team growth as the department and contributed revenue programs expand

Strategy & Planning

• Contribute to Organizational Strategy and Budget Planning documents
• Create maintain and manage an annual Development strategic plan and departmental budget in alignment with CIFFs five-year Philanthropic Strategy
• Provide accurate contributed income forecasting and reporting on a weekly and monthly basis
• Plan and conduct CIFFs periodic capital campaigns to advance CIFFs strategic goals
• Lay the groundwork for a planned giving program including identifying prospects and building toward a Legacy Circle

Corporate Partnership Growth Strategy

• Lead the Development team in the design and execution of a corporate partnership growth strategy with the goal of meaningfully expanding CIFFs corporate revenue base
• Oversee and direct the corporate partnerships portfolio in collaboration with the Development Officer (Corporate Partnerships) ensuring strategic alignment and a consistent relationship-first approach
• Identify cultivate and secure new corporate partners including through employee giving programs cause marketing and in-kind partnerships
• Provide senior-level stewardship for CIFFs most significant corporate relationships including the Presenting Partner and key institutional funders

Board Engagement

• Work closely with the Board of Directors providing senior leadership on fundraising initiatives supporting board members in cultivation and solicitation and ensuring board accountability to fundraising goals
• Prepare briefing documents presentations gift agreements and other materials for board and donor engagement as required

Data Management & Operations

• Oversee the Development teams use of Keela (CIFFs data management system) ensuring data integrity consistent processes and effective use of the platform across all donor programs
• Maintain up-to-date donor records profiles and prospect research
• Generate and oversee day-to-day management of the departmental budget providing detailed reports of contributed income and forecasting weekly and monthly revenue
• Work with the Marketing Department to provide regular updates for supporter publications annual reports and other donor acknowledgement collateral

Job Qualifications:

The successful candidate will have demonstrated the following in their cover letter and resume:

Must Haves:

• A minimum of five years experience in senior fundraising roles with demonstrated growth in scope leadership and revenue impact over time
• Demonstrated experience working within a fundraising program of $500000 or greater in annual contributed revenue
• Demonstrated track record in major gifts fundraising including direct solicitation of gifts at the $25000 level
• Experience in a senior leadership role with the ability to contribute to organizational strategy and operate effectively at an executive level
• Experience directly managing or mentoring a fundraising team
• Strong background in donor solicitation relationship management and portfolio stewardship across individual giving and corporate partnerships; experience leading a partnership growth strategy is a strong asset
• Proficiency with fundraising data management systems; experience with Keela is a strong asset
• Demonstrated talent for managing a large and complex portfolio of donor relationships in a timely and strategic manner
• Demonstrated superior leadership management and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to prioritize problem-solve and multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Experience in the non-profit or arts sector is a strong asset
• Bachelors Degree and/or Masters Degree preferred in arts management non-profit development or a combination of relevant training and experience
• Experience with planned giving and capital campaigns a plus

During the interview well be looking for the following:

• A clear picture of your trajectory in fundraising how your responsibilities and revenue impact have grown over time and what senior leadership has looked like in your career
• Your experience with major gifts at the $25000 level: how you identify cultivate and close gifts at that level and how you maintain those relationships over time
• Your experience managing and growing a fundraising program at scale including how you have contributed to significant revenue growth
• How you have used data management systems to drive donor strategy track portfolio performance and support team accountability
• Your experience leading a team and creating a high-performing collaborative environment
• How you approach organizational strategy and philanthropic planning in a resource-conscious mission-driven environment including how you have developed or led a partnership growth strategy

Approximate Hours of Work

An approximation of hours per week is below dependent on operational needs and business flow. It is understood that shift work weekend work and work on statutory holidays may or will be required.

This role is full time (1.0 FTE)

Why CIFF

• A senior leadership seat at one of Calgarys most beloved cultural institutions with real influence over where CIFF goes next
• The chance to build something at an exciting moment of organizational growth
• Deep roots in Calgarys arts and cultural community and a front-row seat to the citys most exciting annual event
• Free attendance to CIFF screenings because if youre going to champion the festival you should experience it
• Clear compensation growth plan
• Our competitive time off and flexible workplace policies
• Full staff benefits package
• A passionate dedicated team that genuinely loves what they do and brings that energy to everything they build together

TO APPLY

Wed love to hear from you. Simply upload your cover letter and resume using this link to your cover letter tell us about a fundraising initiative youre proud of and what excites you about this moment at CIFF. Well be in touch with everyone who applies to confirm weve received their application. The Hiring Manager will reach out directly to those selected to move forward. We thank everyone who takes the time to apply.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION

CIFF is committed to creating an employment opportunity that begins with respect dignity and equity. We welcome individuals to apply from all backgrounds including: of any race ancestry place of origin colour ethnic origin ability citizenship creed sex sexuality sexual orientation gender identity gender expression same sex partnership age marital status family status immigration status receipt of public assistance history of mental health issues health status political affiliation learning difference level of literacy accent first language body type physical appearance and abilities stature or socio-economic status. Further we acknowledge that we are on a continuing journey of learning and unlearning. Our path to breaking down systemic barriers has begun but we by no means have arrived. We are open to feedback and continuous dialogue on how we can make the hiring process equitable for all.

Required Experience:

Director

Employment Type : Full-Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1