ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, PRINCIPAL GIFTS
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, PRINCIPAL GIFTS
(Permanent Full-Time)
ROM GOVERNORS
ROM Governors works in tandem with ROM – Canada’s world museum – to engage philanthropic and sponsorship support that advances the Museum’s vision and mission. In addition to being a busy, fast-paced environment where we are committed to excellent donor and volunteer experiences and services, we get to explore, discover and learn from collections and exhibitions – and the wonderful people who bring them to life! There are many reasons it’s great to work with ROM Governors, ranging from competitive compensation and benefits, the opportunity to develop, grow and take on new opportunities and challenges, and to be part of an iconic institution that is transforming dramatically to ensure 21st century audiences can understand the past, make sense of the present and come together to shape a shared future.
There has been no better time to be part of ROM Governors as it undertakes an ambitious fundraising campaign to support ROM’s bold plans as a 21st century museum, embracing change and pursuing innovation. In February 2022, John Kearsey was appointed as ROM Governors’ President and CEO to lead a dynamic, mission-driven, donor-focused team intent on increasing philanthropic and private support for ROM, advancing transformational growth and sustainability. The team partners with global philanthropic management consulting firm GG+A for thought leadership and planning solutions.
ROM Governors is recruiting an experienced and dynamic fundraising professional to lead its Principal Giving Program as Associate Vice President. You are a passionate, capable and exemplary hands-on major giving fundraiser who believes in the transformative powers of Museums and philanthropy. You are known for being highly collegial, strategic and comfortable working in a complex and fast-paced environment. You are a positive-thinker and role model who demonstrates leadership, collaboration, respect and excellence.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF POSITION:
Within the Philanthropy portfolio, the Associate Vice President, Principal Gifts is primarily responsible for the philanthropic revenue stream realized through significant major and principal gifts from individuals and foundations and provides leadership, strategic direction and priority-setting for a team of fundraising professionals.
The Associate Vice President, Principal Gifts raises funds to support ROM’s emerging program priorities, projects and core operations and works with museum partners, board members and others to facilitate strategic philanthropy.
The Associate Vice President, Principal Gifts works closely with the Vice President, Philanthropy to facilitate planning and implementation of strategies required to support direct and indirect reports, senior administrators and volunteer leadership to achieve success in soliciting major and transformational gifts in support of the Royal Ontario Museum.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Prospect and Donor Relationship Management (60%)
- Manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and assumes responsibility for cultivation and solicitation, both individually and/or in collaboration with the President & CEO, ROM Governors (President), Director and CEO, Royal Ontario Museum (ROM Director), Vice President, Philanthropy (Vice President), volunteer leadership and/or staff.
Philanthropic Giving Program Leadership (30%)
- Provides a leadership role in developing fundraising strategies to increase and maintain philanthropic support from individuals, corporations and foundations in line with the Museum’s highest priorities.
- As a revenue program leader, works collaboratively across revenue programs to develop optimal and integrated strategies for philanthropic solicitations, builds team fluency in funding priorities, shares learnings from donor interactions, develops strategies to build the major gift pipeline from annual programs and leverages donor-facing activities and communications created for other revenue streams and donors.
- In collaboration with the VP, Philanthropy and independently, identifies funding priorities with ROM staff and converts priorities into action plans and gift opportunities that match donors’ interests. Works collaboratively with and in support of leadership volunteers and other Museum representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for Museum priorities. Develop strategies to activate volunteers as door openers and involve them in ongoing work of major gifts team. Identify new volunteers for cultivation.
Talent Management (5%)
- Manages and enables a team of 2+ major gift fundraising professionals to enhance their productivity, focus, commitment and motivation to achieve increasing fundraising targets while advancing the goals of the ROM Governors. Models best practices in collaboration and maintaining a positive working environment with all internal stakeholders.
Strategic Planning & Financial Management (5%)
- Works collaboratively with the VP, Philanthropy to help develop, implement and/or monitor procedures, policies, and operating plans, that support the delivery of a successful major gifts program, including leveraging supportive teams for key dependencies such as prospect management, solicitation tracking, financial reporting, budgets, gift acceptance policies, stewardship activities and events, and research and systems support for solicitation of major gifts, in order to ensure highest professional standards for the ROM Governors fundraising operations and imbue fundraising programs with donor-centred best practices.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:
- A minimum of five years’ experience in a senior management position actively pursuing and securing major gifts of $250,000 or more and experience managing and mentoring direct reports.
- Demonstrated experience in managing senior volunteer leadership within a sophisticated fundraising structure. A demonstrated ability to identify and implement major gift strategic planning and solicitation strategies in support of funding priorities.
- Superior listening skills and the ability to interpret the concerns and interests of potential stakeholders and translate them into attractive opportunities for investment in the Museum’s strategic priorities.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and professional presence to inspire confidence and trust with donors, patrons, senior volunteers, senior Museum staff and other stakeholders, and to represent the ROM in a variety of public situations.
- Strong critical thinking skills and the confidence to make autonomous decisions within his/her areas of responsibility. Excellent problem-solving skills, business acumen, strategic aptitude, and judgment.
- Knowledge of the philanthropic marketplace and familiarity with Canadian arts and business communities.
- Working knowledge of constituent information systems, prospect tracking and research.
- Ability to be resourceful and independent, but comfortable working within the framework of an integrated development program and team-oriented environment.
- Effective writing and communication skills to shape and inform proposal development and other donor-facing communications.
- Ability to efficiently organize and manage a diverse range of assignments and changing priorities while meeting multiple deadlines, along with thorough attention to all details and consistent follow through.
- Ability to work in high-visibility, fast-paced and stressful environment.
- Experience with The Raiser’s Edge (NXT), Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as applied to the preparation of activity tracking, proposals, reports and presentations.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately and with discretion.
- Understanding of the vision, mission and values of the Museum and the role of ROM Governors.
- Flexible schedule which allows for multiple after-hours events and meetings.
Reports to: VP, Philanthropy, ROM Governors
Starting Date: As soon as possible
Salary Scale: $107,000 to $160,000 per annum plus benefits
Application deadline: Until the position is filled
Kelly Manchuk, Human Resources Assistant, Royal Ontario Museum Governors, 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2C6; by email: careers@rom.on.ca (preferred) – please include # 2022-073 – Associate Vice President, Principal Gifts in the subject line.
At ROM Governors, we consider equity, diversity, and inclusivity to be foundational to our institutional success. We seek to foster a workplace that reflects the full breadth of the communities we serve and welcome applications from women, racialized persons/BIPOC, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, LGBTQ2S+, and people with disabilities.
ROM Governors is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitable accommodations are available under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) to applicants invited to an interview.
The selected candidate will be required to participate in a Criminal Background Check conducted via Profile Investigation Inc.
COVID-19: ROM Governors recognizes its heightened duty to protect employees from health and safety risks during the current pandemic. As such, an offer of employment shall be conditional on proof of full COVID-19 vaccination with a vaccine series approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization.
ROM Governors is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ROM Governors wishes to thank all those who apply, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.