
SENIOR DIRECTOR, MAJOR GIFTS AND STEWARDSHIP
The Royal Conservatory is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world. The RCM’s history of excellence spans 135 years, and its more than five million alumni have enjoyed the many benefits of music study and carried them into subsequent careers in a wide range of fields, including medicine, business, politics, education, law and justice, science, and sports. Illustrious alumni who have gone on to international acclaim include Glenn Gould, Oscar Peterson, Diana Krall, David Foster, k.d. lang, Sir Roger Norrington, John Vickers, Shania Twain, and many others.
DEVELOPING HUMAN POTENTIAL ONE NOTE AT A TIME
The mission of The Royal Conservatory – to develop human potential through leadership in music and the arts – is based on the conviction that the arts are humanity's greatest means to achieve personal growth and social cohesion. Advancing the transformative effect that music and the arts have on society lies at the heart of everything The Royal Conservatory does. (MORE HERE)
THE PILLARS OF THE ROYAL CONSERVATORY
The work of The Royal Conservatory encompasses four pillars that deliver the transformative benefits of music to millions of individuals in Canada and around the world.
Pillar 1 – RCM Certificate Program
Recognized globally as the gold standard in music education, the RCM Certificate Program offers a highly effective structure and sequenced curriculum that creates joy in music learning. The program is used by over 500,000 students throughout Canada and the United States each year, and 5 million alumni have developed their creative capacity and love of music through their participation.
Pillar 2 – Social Impact
The Royal Conservatory continues its leading role in developing arts-based programs that meet the social development needs of individuals across Canada, and puts creativity at the centre of public education. The Learning Through the Arts Program has engaged hundreds of thousands of young people in Indigenous and low-income communities and schools, to substantive impact. And commencing in 2022, The Oscar Peterson Program will offer tuition-free music instruction to underserved youth in the Toronto area.
Pillar 3 – Professional Performance Testing
The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School is one of the foremost music schools in the world dedicated exclusively to performance training at the highest level for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students. The Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists offers highly gifted young students aged 8 to 18, the nation’s finest developmental program and learning environment.
Pillar 4 – Performing Arts
The Royal Conservatory is one of the few education institutions in the world that is integrated with an internationally acclaimed concert venue. Since opening Koerner Hall in 2009, the RCM has presented more than 2,000 concerts and events reaching 1,000,000 individuals. Koerner Hall is a major presenter of concerts in Canada and is recognized as one of the greatest halls in the world.
INFORMATION LINKS
The Glenn Gould School
The Taylor Academy
The Oscar Peterson School of Music
The RCM Certificate Program
Governance
Senior Staff
T3010
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter
YouTube
Vimeo
OPPORTUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
We are seeking a skilled and experienced philanthropy professional to join the Development team at The Royal Conservatory as Senior Director, Major Gifts and Stewardship.
- An accomplished fundraiser, you have an entrepreneurial spirit and a willingness to explore new horizons of opportunity while achieving personal and corporate goals and targets.
- Energized by developing authentic donor relationships, you are growth-minded and able to drive success in an integrated advancement environment.
- A strategist, you will be responsible for managing and overseeing the development, delivery, and implementation of strategic and comprehensive major gift and stewardship plans.
- Listening and asking meaningful questions, you are solutions focused, flexible, and patient, helping donors achieve their philanthropic goals and The Royal Conservatory its revenue targets.
- A strong communicator, you convey information and opportunities in a meaningful and transparent way, helping volunteers and donors understand how their gifts of time and money help The Royal Conservatory achieve its mission.
- As a leader, you build trust and engender confidence in your team, supporting their professional development.
- Always a learner, you demonstrate a willingness to share sector trends and best practices with those you lead and the broader Development team.
WHY YOU?
- You believe in the power of philanthropy.
- You delight in helping others catch and accomplish a vision.
- You enjoy building authentic donor and volunteer relationships.
- You naturally develop and embrace fresh ideas.
- You value teamwork and collaboration with others.
- You love music, education, and the arts.
- You are inspired by The Royal Conservatory’s mission.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Revenue Generation (50%)
- In conjunction with the Vice President, Development, create and implement strategies in support of major giving goals and initiatives, including:
- Working collaboratively with The Royal Conservatory’s leadership team and senior volunteers to establish operating plans and objectives, solicitation priorities, and cultivation and recognition events.
- Engaging and leading a team of senior volunteers to inspire donors to support The Royal Conservatory’s priorities at the six-figure gift level and above.
- Developing and implementing successful strategies for the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major gift donors at the six-figure gift level and above.
- Independently managing a portfolio of major gift donors.
- Assist in the recruitment, orientation, training, and motivation of volunteers who support major gift goals and programs.
- In consultation with other Development colleagues, lead the creation of a comprehensive, donor-centric stewardship plan for donors to The Royal Conservatory.
- Oversee donor engagement, recognition and stewardship strategies, programs and events tailored for individual and foundation major gift donors.
- Ensure The Royal Conservatory fulfills deliverables as outlined in funding agreements with a longterm view to donor relationship management.
- Ensure the prospect pipeline is developed and maintained at a level sufficient to achieve The Royal Conservatory’s major giving goals.
- Analyze and monitor progress towards established goals; recommend adjustments as required to meet targets.
- Develop and monitor project and program budgets.
Portfolio Initiatives (25%)
The Taylor Academy (MORE HERE)
As a leader in performance training, The Taylor Academy gives exceptional school-aged musicians the opportunity to hone their skills with teachers and mentors of the highest calibre.
The Oscar Peterson School of Music (MORE HERE)
Named for the legendary jazz pianist, and alumnus and Honorary Fellow of The Royal Conservatory, the Oscar Peterson School of Music (formerly the Royal Conservatory School) offers music classes for students of all ages and abilities. Starting in the fall of 2022, the RCM will also launch the Oscar Peterson Program, a scholarship program offering tuition-free music instruction to underserved youth.
- Expand the donor base and build the prospect pipeline for The Taylor Academy and the Oscar Peterson School of Music to help secure their long-term financial stability.
- Recruit, manage and support 10-15 senior volunteers to establish fundraising committees for both The Taylor Academy and the Oscar Peterson School of Music.
- Support the Vice President, Development on other various initiatives and strategy development.
Management and Administration (25%)
- Coach and mentor two direct reports: the Associate Director, Individual Giving and Associate Director, Stewardship.
- Conduct annual staff performance reviews, ensuring that they are achieving objectives in alignment with major gift program revenue and stewardship goals.
- Provide external industry knowledge, monitor trends in the philanthropic environment and implement best practices as appropriate.
- Recruit and hire team members as required.
- Attend performances and events to promote donor engagement.
- Other duties as assigned.
EXPERIENCE
- Demonstrated ability to identify and develop donor relationships.
- Proven ability to engage, support and provide leadership to volunteers involved in major gift philanthropy.
- Experience with proposal development, negotiations and tailoring complex gift agreements.
- Demonstrated ability and experience leading, motivating, coaching, and inspiring staff.
- Experience working in a major gifts program in a complex, organizational environment.
COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
- A results-oriented focus, a driven attitude and an entrepreneurial approach to fundraising and problem solving.
- Excels in an environment of change and ambiguity.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with and through others using influence and persuasion.
- Exceptional organizational and execution skills; capable of effectively and calmly managing many priorities and projects simultaneously.
- Exceptional time management, planning, and organizational skills, with an emphasis on detail and accuracy.
- Strong management skills.
- Strong communication skills (oral and written).
- Proficient in Microsoft products, Raiser!s Edge, and other donor engagement technologies.
- Integrity and high ethical standards.
EDUCATION AND DESIGNATIONS
- University degree preferred.
- CFRE designation or equivalent an asset.
BEFORE YOU APPLY
Compensation
The hiring range for this role is $130,000-$140,000. The Royal Conservatory offers 4 weeks of vacation, RRSP and health benefits.
Working Environment
Office environment with occasional requirements to work outside of regular office hours.
APPLY FOR THIS ROLE
Cause Leadership Inc. is managing this leadership search on behalf of The Royal Conservatory.
If you, or someone you know, would like to start a confidential conversation about this opportunity, please email:
David Hutchinson
Lead Consultant
Cause Leadership Inc.
RCM.seniordirector@causeleadership.com
Note: Please direct all communications through the Lead Consultant.
Individuals interested in being considered for this opportunity are invited to Apply Online by November 30, 2021. Please upload your cover letter and resume and complete the online application questions.
The Royal Conservatory is committed to a policy of equity and inclusion. In accordance with Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and The Royal Conservatory’s Access and Equity policy, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.
The search will remain open until a successful candidate is selected.
We thank all interested parties but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.