Job Posting – Director of Development (Sarah McLachlan School of Music)

About SoM

Founded in 2002 as an outreach project by Sarah McLachlan, The Sarah McLachlan School of Music (SoM) is a registered charity serving over 900 students per year in Vancouver, Surrey and Edmonton. 

More details about the school and program can be found at https://www.sarahschoolofmusic.com/

SoM’s Vision

Transforming lives through the power of music.

SoM’s Purpose

Building inclusive and barrier-free communities of musical learning where children and youth find their voice. 

SoM’s Values

Acceptance • Care • Collaboration • Commitment • Curiosity • Flexibility • Innovation • Social Responsibility

About the Role

The Director of Development is a member of SoM’s leadership team that reports to the Executive Director. The position leads the SoM fund development and is responsible for the annual fund development goal of close to 3 million dollars.

With a clear understanding of SoM’s strategic plan and annual goals, the Director of Development will play an integral role in developing the fund development strategy and ensuring the implementation of donor-centered fundraising programs that will drive growth, build a strong donor pipeline, deepen donor relationships, and provide donors with excellent stewardship.

SoM’s Director of Development requires leadership skills combined with extensive experience as a fund developer bringing invaluable donor prospecting and stewardship, technical, logistical and financial management skills to the role. The Director of Development works closely with the Executive Director and SoM’s leadership team to help facilitate and envision organizational growth and expansion initiatives for SoM’s future.

This position requires a self-starter who thrives in a busy, self-directed environment and can work well both independently and as a part of the leadership team. The primary goal of this position is to strategically sustain the Sarah McLachlan School of Music (SoM).

This is a full-time, permanent salaried position that is eligible for benefits upon completion of the probation period. The compensation range for this position is $85,000 CAD - $105,000 CAD, depending on experience.  

In this role your days are filled with:

Strategic Fund Development 

• Establishing and implementing an annual fund development operational plan with key strategic priorities, performance measures based on goals and budget considerations for donors (Individuals, Corporations, Foundations) including:

• • Researching, designing, documenting proposals, and stewarding major donors, annual and mid- level donors, lapsed donors and prospects  in-person, virtually, over the phone and email
  • Identifying and implementing an external communication plan
  • In collaboration with the Founder and leadership team, producing stewardship and impact reports to promote donor retention and growth  
  • Hands-on activities include donor events and duties include, but are not limited to: following up with sponsors, recruiting and coordinating volunteers; guest list management, sourcing items for auction and coordinating “goodie” bags 

Financial Management 

• In collaboration with the Director of Finance 
  • preparing the annual fund development budget 
  • preparing quarterly Board reports which update the performance measures and results
• Maintaining an ongoing dialogue on successes and failures against key strategic priorities, recalibrating as needed to achieve stated goals 
• Managing the organization’s resources within budget guidelines

Human Resources Management 

• Providing leadership, direction, and mentorship to contracted staff and external contractors
• Ensuring work tasks are completed on schedule and work is completed in adherence with SoM standards and policies

Community and Public Relations

• As part of the leadership team, representing SoM in public and private events, the community at large and other relevant engagements 
• Assuring SoM and its mission are consistently presented in a positive manner to all stakeholders. 
• Representing SoM by effectively communicating its mission, vision and program priorities 
• Cultivating, building and maintaining strong and authentic relationships with a wide range of partners, community and business leaders to understand and articulate evolving needs 
• Supporting the Executive Director in seeking out and developing key strategic partnerships and leveraging these partnerships to maximize fundraising efforts 

Skills, Experience, Abilities and Qualifications required:

• A relevant post-secondary degree or combination of relevant training, education, and experience
• A Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation is an asset. Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP) membership is an asset
• 10+ years of progressive fund development experience with an emphasis on individual giving (major, recurring, annual), campaigns and digital fundraising
• Able to demonstrate successful execution of fund development efforts in previous roles  
• Significant knowledge of fund development best practices 
• Proven ability to maximize existing revenue streams while identifying and pursuing new revenue streams
• Demonstrated ability to interact comfortably, tactfully, and effectively with donors with the goal of building and maintaining long term relationships
• Knowledge and experience of special events planning and management
• Awareness of federal and provincial legislation affecting charities
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to connect with multiple and varied audiences
• Demonstrated ability to work with a high-profile celebrity and its inherent dynamics as well as with major donors
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated  team - based skill set. Ability to work independently while thriving on a team 
• Experience dealing with confidentiality and sensitive information 
• Excellent people skills and the ability to communicate with enthusiasm and energy
• Empathetic with strong emotional intelligence
• A genuine interest in youth with a passion to help them succeed
• Experience with a variety of tech tools - Raiser’s Edge, Gmail, Google Docs, Slack, Discord
• Meticulously organized with attention to detail and strong time management skills

The ideal SoM Director is… 

• A Natural collaborator - able to quickly connect and build relationships with a diverse group of people, both in person and remotely
• Passionate and curious - you question the status quo, and are not afraid to try new ways of doing things
• Committed to engaging our students and problem solving ways to increase our reach and impact with integrity - guided by your good judgment, solid ethics, care and discretion in dealing with sensitive matters, you strive to provide the best possible experience for our students 
• Inclusive and Respectful - actively contributes towards creating an inclusive, welcoming and safe work environment, where all of our people feel like they belong
• A leader that inspires commitment to strengthening community through music - confident using your communication, delegation, planning, technology and operational skills to deliver on major projects
• Visionary - able to create a compelling vision for your team and area of work, to get buy-in, and to engage and empower others to deliver on your plans for the future.

Interested?

If you’re excited by what you have read, we would love to hear from you!

We’ve included the “wish list” of our ideal candidate above, but we realize that everyone comes to the table with a different background and skill set. If you are excited about the prospect of working for us, and can demonstrate that you can do most of what we’re looking for, we would welcome an application from you.

Sarah McLachlan School of Music (SoM) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive and safe work environment for people of all backgrounds.

While we thank all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Posting closes at the end of day on Friday October 6th, 2023.

All applications must be submitted through indeed.com and should include the following: 

• A resume outlining your most relevant experience
• A cover letter, telling us a little more about you and why you are interested in joining the SoM team
• Anything else that you think demonstrates why you would be a great addition to our team