Senior Development Officer

ABOUT THE TORONTO BIENNIAL OF ART

The Toronto Biennial of Art’s mission is to make contemporary art accessible to everyone. 

A ten-week event every two years, the Biennial commissions artists to create new works for a city-wide exhibition in dialogue with Toronto’s diverse local contexts. Year-round public and learning programs bridge Biennials and invite intergenerational audiences to explore the ideas that inspire our events. Building upon past editions and offering new ways of seeing and listening, each Biennial connects people to spark meaningful dialogues and imagine new futures. 

For detailed information on the impact of the Biennial, please read our latest Evaluation Report.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Job Title: Senior Development Officer

Role Type: Full-time, contract

Contract Length: April 15, 2025 – January 31, 2027, with the possibility of extending 

Salary: $70,000 - 85,000

Application Deadline: rolling, position open until filled

Location: Queen West, downtown Toronto

JOB DESCRIPTION

TBA is seeking a Senior Development Officer to develop, manage, and grow a portfolio of mid-level donors and sponsors through creative and engaging campaigns and stewardship strategies. 

Mid-Level Giving & Donor Engagement:

• Manage and grow a portfolio of supporters, including individual donors, family foundations, and corporate sponsors, giving between $2,500 and $24,999
• Undertake prospect research to identify and qualify potential supporters 
• Cultivate and solicit prospects to secure new and increased gifts
• Develop and implement creative stewardship and cultivation strategies that drive donor loyalty and multi-year commitments, strengthening TBA’s long-term donor pipeline
• Develop compelling donor communications, proposals, case for support documents, presentations, agreements, and impact reports that enhance engagement and recognition
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records and gift agreements
• Work closely with the Director of Development to identify new funding opportunities and implement long-term revenue growth strategies
• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications, Exhibitions, and Pubic Programs & Learning departments to ensure accurate and effective donor recognition and to identify creative opportunities for donor stewardship

Campaigns & Events:

• Manage TBA’s signature mid-level giving campaigns, the Women Leading Initiative and the Creative-City Builder’s Fund to reach annual goals
• Collaborate with other departments to develop creative funding opportunities and produce proposals for presentation to donors and prospects
• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications team to execute targeted fundraising campaign communications including e-newsletters and social media campaigns
• Support the planning and execution of stewardship and fundraising events, ensuring exceptional donor experiences that drive revenue growth
• Represent TBA at donor meetings, events, and presentations 
• Attend industry and networking events as appropriate to promote TBA and its programs to donors and prospects
• Arrange and host prospect and donor visits and tours during the Biennial (fall 2026)

Development Operations & Administration:

• Support the efficient operation of the Development team by helping to ensure timely processing of gifts, acknowledgments, and renewals
• Maintain up-to-date donor records, invite lists, and prospect lists
• Provide input on departmental budgets, revenue forecasts, and fundraising strategies
• Collaborate with the Director of Development, Executive Director, and the Board of Directors to leverage relationships to grow revenue
• Contribute to departmental reporting as needed

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 4-6 years experience in fundraising
• Experience in mid-level giving, major gifts, annual giving, fundraising events, and donor stewardship
• Self-starter, ability to take initiative with minimal supervision
• Proven track record delivering on revenue goals, including securing gifts between $1,000 and $24,999
• Experience in the art sector is an asset
• Experience in managing fundraising, stewardship, and client-hosting events is an asset
• Proficiency in applicable computer programs (Google Suite, Canva) 
• Experience with Salesforce is an asset
• Knowledge of legal regulations governing fundraising practices as they relate to not-for-profit and charitable organizations

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & CAPACITIES:

• Confident communicator
• Thrive in a collaborative environment and possess the ability to foster strong internal and external relationships
• Capable of managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining focus on fundraising goals
• Proactive and strategic
• Flexible and responsive 
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail 
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends depending on operational requirements
• Passion for arts and culture
• Proven commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and practices of anti-racism and anti-oppression, to contribute to a healthy workplace environment 
• Able to work on-site at TBA’s offices a minimum of three days per week 
• Able to work occasional evenings and weekends as required as well as on-site at venues throughout the Biennial (fall 2026)

BENEFITS:

• Annual health savings account 
• Mobile phone subsidy
• Hybrid working arrangement
• 10 health days and 3 personal days annually
• 2 weeks vacation and additional time off beyond statutory holidays

Toronto Biennial of Art is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in all of our work. We work proactively to be fair and equitable in practice and welcome applications from all qualified individuals. We encourage those who identify as women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, persons of colour, all gender and sexual orientations, and all groups protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code to apply. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, provided the candidate makes their accommodation needs known to Toronto Biennial of Art.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to opportunities@torontobiennial.org with the subject line Senior Development Officer. Only select applicants will be contacted for an interview and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.