Employment Opportunity

Development Coordinator – Philanthropy (Development Department)

About the TSO

For over a century, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has played a fundamental role in shaping and celebrating Canadian culture. Now in our 102nd year, the TSO’s commitment to musical excellence and ability to spark connection remain as strong as ever. With a storied history of acclaimed concerts and recordings, Canadian and international tours, and impactful community partnerships, we are dedicated to engaging and enriching local and national communities through vibrant musical experiences. 

Music Director Gustavo Gimeno brings an expansive artistic vision, intellectual curiosity, and sense of adventure to programming the 93-musician Orchestra that serves Toronto—one of the world’s most diverse cities. The TSO performs over 100 concerts annually, offering a variety of programming from the classical to music composed in our time. 

Music has the power to heal, inspire, and connect people from all walks of life. The TSO is privileged to also engage audiences of all ages through an array of education, community access and health and wellness initiatives, primarily funded by philanthropy. 

Join us for a concert at Roy Thomson Hall, or experience the TSO in your neighbourhood. Visit TSO.CA or newsroom.tso.ca.

About the Oppportunity

Title: Development Coordinator, Philanthropy 

Reports To: Senior Development Officer, Stewardship 

Status: Permanent Full-time  

Compensation:  $45,000 - $55,000 competitive benefits and vacation

Position Summary: 

The Development Coordinator, Philanthropy is committed to creating and maintaining a positive experience for major philanthropic donors who support the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.  This role coordinates donor relations activities across the major gifts portfolio. This role supports the Philanthropy team in major gift cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and any related record-keeping. The role builds effective relationships with staff and volunteers across the organization and collaborates with staff members across the Development team. The role is important not only to the success of the team but in ensuring that TSO donors have an unparalleled experience as part of the donor community. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Liaise with major donors regarding pledge payment reminders and event invitations.
• Assists the Philanthropy team in implementing centralized processes to support donor activity, including call reports, moves management, pledge reminders, invoicing, and the fulfillment of gift agreements.
• Supports the CEO, Chief Development Officer and Senior Director, Philanthropy with preparation and follow up for major donor meetings, as required.
• Maintains a high standard of major gifts record-keeping utilizing donor database (Tessitura), Google Drive, and reporting.
• Creates and maintains support documents including briefing notes, research, and proposals for senior volunteer committees.
• Supports the creation of, and maintains, event invitation lists.
• Supports the Philanthropy team in providing supplemental research on major gift prospects in partnership with Prospect Research Manager. 
• Supports all aspects of major gift stewardship and cultivation events. 
• Collaborates and supports the delivery of stewardship materials and activity with the Senior Development Officer, Stewardship. 
• Administrates support for the Philanthropy team including coordinating meetings and managing calendar requests for Senior Director, Philanthropy. 

Nature and Scope of Responsibility:

• Supports all major gift record-keeping in donor database. 
• Supports all Google Drive files for the Philanthropy team. 
• Produces lists for major gift mailings, events, emails etc.
• Supports the work of Senior Director, Philanthropy on research in collaboration with Prospect Research Manager. 
• Supports the work of the Philanthropy team for all Development Committee meetings.
• Supports the work of volunteer engagement as it relates to major gifts and special projects. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education and/or equivalent work experience preferred.  
• Minimum 3 years of relevant administrative, customer or donor relations experience, and/or data entry.
• Proficiency in the database in use by the organization (Tessitura) or similar experience.
• Exceptional writing skills; ability to determine the most important information to share with supporters and the most compelling way to tell a story.
• Demonstrated ability to meet demanding deadlines and problem-solve by using  initiative and independence.
• Excellent administrative skills and outstanding attention to detail.
• Proficiency in proofing, auditing, and reviewing across multiple types of documents and data sheets.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative team culture.
• High level of maturity, professional ethics, and personal integrity.
• Ability to understand, develop and sustain resilient and dynamic relationships with donors, colleagues, and senior management.
• Understanding of fundraising policies, principles and best practices.
• Knowledge of fundraising databases (Tessitura or similar systems).
• Passion for the arts; interest in and knowledge of orchestral music is an asset

How to Apply: 

Please go to the TSO website www.tso.ca/employment and refer to the job posting. Candidates must click on the Apply Button to provide TSO with your cover letter and resumé. TSO will accept candidate submissions until 5:00 pm Friday, September 27, 2024. 

While the TSO thanks all applicants for their interest, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of the City of Toronto and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas. 

The TSO is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require accommodation, the TSO will work with you to meet your needs. 

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Routine office environment, with key activity occurring at rehearsals, concerts, and special events, which may take place during evenings and weekends. The majority of the TSO’s concerts take place in Roy Thomson Hall.
• The TSO is currently working in a hybrid model of in-office and remote work. As TSO continues to evaluate the situation, the balance of time in the office and remote work is guided by departmental needs, as determined by the Senior Director, Philanthropy.
• Long periods (more than one hour) of sitting and typing at desk and on screen.
• Long periods (more than one hour) of standing during events and concert duty.

The TSO requires all employees to provide proof of fully-vaccinated status, with vaccines approved by Health Canada. A person is considered fully-vaccinated if they have completed the required regime for a COVID-19 vaccine and 14 days have passed since their final dose.