Development Officer

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Canadian Opera Company is now accepting applications for the position of Development Officer.

PURPOSE OF ROLE
The Canadian Opera Company is at a defining moment of transformation. With new leadership at the helm, the COC is charting an ambitious path forward—one that builds on its legacy of artistic excellence while embracing new possibilities for growth, relevance, and community connection.  At the heart of this momentum is a commitment to strengthening philanthropic support and deepening relationships with the individuals whose generosity helps bring the COC’s artistic vision to life. Through strategic stewardship, personalized engagement, and donor-focused experiences, our Major Gifts team helps grow sustainable revenue while fostering a community of supporters who are invested in the future of opera in Canada.

Under the direction of the Director, Major Gifts, the Development Officer is responsible for managing the Canadian Opera Company’s President’s Council program and a portfolio of mid-level donors. This is an entry- to early-career role well suited to someone building a foundation in major gifts fundraising. The Development Officer cultivates and stewards donor relationships across the $2,250–$10,000 giving range, runs the President’s Council program end-to-end, and coordinates the administrative functions that support a strong donor experience and a healthy pipeline into major gifts. 

ACCOUNTABILITIES 

The accountabilities include, but are not limited to: 

PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT 

• Lead the President’s Council program, including annual renewal strategy, member acquisition, and targeted upgrades to higher giving levels.
  
• Develop and execute a 12-month engagement calendar for President’s Council members, including personalized cultivation touchpoints, performance events, and recognition activities.
  
• Collaborate with the Development writer to prepare member communications, renewal appeals, and acknowledgement letters in alignment with the department’s voice and standards.
  
• Collaborate with the Donor Services Coordinator(s) to ensure accurate benefit fulfillment, recognition listings, and CRM records for President’s Council members.
  
• Track and report on program revenue, retention, and upgrade metrics, making data-informed recommendations to the Director, Major Gifts.
  

DONOR PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT 

• Manage a tiered caseload of approximately 200 mid-level donors (defined as donors giving between $2,250 and $10,000 annually), with a focus on building genuine relationships, improving retention, and growing revenue across the portfolio.
  
• Qualify and develop a roster of prospects leveraging database-identified candidates from the Major Gifts team and Research Officer, and cultivate relationships through personalized outreach, meetings, and stewardship.
  
• Conduct in-person and phone-based donor meetings to deepen engagement, with a primary focus on upgrading annual giving levels and strengthening the donor’s connection to the COC’s mission.
  
• Manage lapsed reactivation outreach and President’s Council acquisition strategies using giving data and segmentation provided by the Development Operations and Annual Fund team to inform approach.
  
• Occasionally identify donors within the portfolio who demonstrate readiness for a major gift conversation, and flag these prospects for transition to a Major Gift Officer with appropriate context.
  

DONOR STEWARDSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT 

• Deliver high-quality, personalized stewardship for mid-level donors and President’s Council members through written communications, calls, and event attendance.
  
• Draft stewardship materials including impact updates, thank-you notes, and recognition communications that reflect the donor’s relationship to the COC.
  
• Support the planning and on-site execution of donor cultivation events and performance experiences, with particular attention to mid-level and President’s Council audiences.
  
• Maintain accurate and timely records of all donor interactions, moves, and stewardship activities in Tessitura.
  

ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL COORDINATION 

• Support the preparation of donor proposals, program reports, and pipeline summaries for internal review and campaign reporting.
  
• Draft, maintain, and update standard operating procedures for President’s Council portfolio/program.
  
• Support accurate revenue tracking and forecasting for the President’s Council portfolio, working with the Development team to ensure timely reporting.
  
• Collaborate with the Donor Services Coordinator(s) and Development Officer, Advancement Operations on gift processing, database hygiene, and recognition accuracy.
  

QUALIFICATIONS 

• 1–2 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, annual giving, or a related field.
  
• Demonstrated experience managing a donor portfolio with responsibility for revenue outcomes.
  
• Strong written communication skills, with experience drafting donor-facing materials.
  
• Experience working with CRM systems; Tessitura experience is an asset.
  
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
  

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• Hybrid work environment (in-office and remote)
  
• Required to work select evenings and weekends in support of performances and donor events throughout the season
  
• Ability to manage competing priorities and interact with donors and colleagues calmly and professionally
  

ABOUT THE CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY
Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. General Director David C. Ferguson joined the company in 2024, forming a leadership team alongside Artistic Director Roberto Mauro and Music Director Johannes Debus. Recently, Ian Derrer was appointed the next General Director of the company, slated to begin his term in July 2026. The COC enjoys a loyal audience, including a dedicated base of subscribers, and has an international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation. Its diverse repertoire includes new commissions and productions, local and international collaborations with leading opera companies and festivals and attracts the world’s foremost Canadian and international artists. The company is an incubator for the future of the art form, nurturing Canada’s new wave of opera performers and creators with customized training and support. The COC’s purpose-built opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, is hailed internationally as one of the finest in the world.

As Canada's largest opera company, the COC deeply values equity and diversity across all levels of the organization and believes in fostering an inclusive, discrimination-free environment that fully supports our team’s personal and collective success. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects our community, our city, and our country and, in turn, the COC welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and abilities who share and embrace these values of anti-racism and inclusion.

The COC is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in all parts of the hiring process. If you require an accommodation, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

To be considered for this role, applications must be received by June 28, 2026.