
Director, Donor Engagement
Competition number: J0624-0906
Department: Development
Status: Full-Time continuing
Hours: Monday to Friday (35 hours per week) Some weekends and evenings required
Annual/hourly salary: $114,000 – $142,500 (position with benefits and pension plan)
Closing date: July 21, 2024
Anticipated start date: September 2024
About the National Arts Centre Foundation
The National Arts Centre Foundation raises funds to support the National Arts Centre’s work in performance, creation, and learning across Canada. Founded in 2000 as a separate legal entity, the National Arts Centre Foundation has raised over $170 million to enrich the lives of Canadians through the performing arts and to champion our country’s artists, students, and educators. The National Arts Centre Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of a diverse group of leaders from across the country who share a passion for the performing arts.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism and Accessibility
We are on a journey, committed to ensuring that equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, anti-racism and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples will guide our actions.
The NAC welcomes applications from candidates who can help us meet our vision, and contribute to the diversity of lived experiences, perspectives, and approaches. When you join the NAC, you will be part of an inclusive community working hard to dismantle barriers to employees’ well-being, access, potential, and success. The NAC actively seeks candidates who identify as women, Indigenous, Black, Persons of Colour (IBPoC), members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and people with disabilities. We encourage you to self-identify in the recruitment process.
Key activities:
The National Arts Centre Foundation seeks a strategic, dynamic, and innovative leader to fill the pivotal role of Director, Donor Engagement. This role offers a unique opportunity for a strategic leader to shape the future of philanthropy at the National Arts Centre Foundation, driving meaningful engagement and support for the arts in Canada.
Reporting directly to the CEO of the Foundation, the Director of Donor Engagement will be an integral part of the Foundation’s leadership team, spearheading initiatives vital to the success of the $100M Campaign. This role requires a visionary individual who can drive the expansion of the Foundation’s donor base through innovative strategies for acquisition, engagement and retention.
The Director, Donor Engagement will lead Foundation communications, overseeing the development of messaging, materials, and campaigns to engage donors and amplify the organization’s mission. They will craft compelling narrative for philanthropic support of the National Arts Centre, leading communication efforts to effectively convey its impact and significance to donors and stakeholders.
The incumbent will develop and execute strategies to grow the culture of giving including the Foundation’s donor base, leveraging creative approaches to acquire, engage, retain, and elevate donor relationships. They will conceptualize and implement new giving programs to cultivate a broader community of supporters for the National Arts Centre, collaborating with diverse stakeholders and departments, and work closely with the NAC’s Audience Engagement team to integrate giving opportunities into patron-centered activities, campaigns, and channels, enhancing engagement and loyalty.
Lastly, they will stay abreast of best practices and innovations in broad-based fundraising, integrating practices and opportunities into Foundation activities to drive continuous improvement and growth.
Key Responsibilities are:
Donor engagement
• Lead the evaluation of existing giving programs and the development of a multi-year growth strategy for a fully integrated direct-response program (e. g., direct mail, monthly giving, digital giving, and telemarketing).
• Lead the development of the annual plan, budget, and key performance indicators to meet revenue targets.
• Research, develop, and launch new giving program(s), including a women’s philanthropy circle, and vehicles to cultivate “next generation” giving and inclusive giving.
• Plan and execute data mining and segmentation strategies to maximize solicitation yields, including identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for donor segments.
• Develop annual budgets and set revenue targets, establish benchmarks, key performance indicators (KPIs), and qualitative goals to monitor performance of the various campaigns.
• Collaborate with the NAC’s Audience Engagement team to integrate giving opportunities into patron-centred activities, campaigns and channels.
• Maintain an awareness of best practices and innovations in broad-based fundraising and ensure that practices and opportunities are integrated into Foundation activities.
Donor communications & marketing
• Lead the execution of the Foundation’s communications strategy, including the development of a content strategy articulating the role of donor support in achieving the objectives of the NAC’s strategic plan.
• Design and execute a compelling narrative around the impact of philanthropy that resonates with internal stakeholders as well as current and prospective donors.
• Oversee the development of the case for support, case statements, impact statements and key messaging, and ensure integration into all channels and campaigns
• Manage the writing, editing and production of donor communications, working closely with the Writer & Communications Strategist on planning and execution.
• Oversee the marketing of the legacy giving program
• Collaborate internally on communications assets, including Foundation and Campaign-related website content, impact reports, newsletters, and other fundraising program collateral.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to strengthen the NAC’s culture of philanthropy, highlighting the impact of donor support.
Required qualifications:
• A post-secondary degree in a field related to the position such as philanthropy, fundraising, marketing or communications, or a combination of education, training and experience;
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in communications and fundraising;
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience supervising staff, providing support, feedback, coaching and professional development;
• Track record of leading donor communications and multi-channel fundraising campaigns in a non-profit or performing arts context;
• Exceptional writing, editing and content creation skills with demonstrated understanding of storytelling in a fundraising context;
• Experience selecting and managing vendors;
• Skilled in managing revenue and expense budgets; adept at data analysis;
• Well-developed analytical and planning skills and initiative to solve problems and implement improvements;
• Skilled in building collaborative relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders;
• Demonstrated success in executing change initiatives;
• Strong experience and capability with CRM systems. Knowledge of Engaging Networks, Raisers’ Edge and/or Tessitura an asset;
• Ability to thrive in a fast paced, high-volume environment with shifting priorities and multiple stakeholders;
• Bilingual in French and English preferred;
• Experience in the arts and cultural sector is an asset
Who can apply:
Persons residing in Canada and Canadian citizens residing abroad. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.
As part of NAC’s interview process, in-person interviews may be required. Please ensure to have the most up-to-date information on your résumé including your current email address.
The National Arts Centre (NAC) is committed to inclusive employee recruitment and selection. The NAC welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. If you require accommodation during the selection process, please inform us as soon as possible and we will make every effort to fulfill your accommodation request.
The successful candidate will be required to provide the original or a certified true copy of their education credentials as appropriate, along with proof of a valid Background Check as a condition of employment.
While we appreciate all applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted by us.
How to apply:
Please submit your cover letter and résumé online through the “Career Opportunities” section of our website at https://nac-cna.ca/en/careers.
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