Employment Opportunity

Senior Development Officer, Stewardship  – Development Department

Position Summary 

The Senior Development Officer, Stewardship creates an exceptional donor experience for the TSO’s major ($20,000+) donors, leading to high retention and increased giving. This role is ideal for an individual who cares about philanthropy and can create the surprising, beautiful and meaningful experiences that further engage donors with the art of a symphony orchestra. It is a great opportunity to work with a very significant, generous community of donors; to be part of an exciting fundraising campaign; and to work with some of the world's greatest musicians. 

We encourage fundraising professionals with 5+ years’ experience, an understanding of major gifts fundraising, and an interest in furthering the work of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, to apply.  

About the TSO

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is one of Canada’s most renowned arts organizations. Under the leadership of Music Director Gustavo Gimeno and Beck Family CEO Mark Williams, the orchestra serves all of Toronto’s diverse communities and flies the flag for Canada around the world. The orchestra recently won a Juno for Best Classical Album of the Year and will embark on a major European tour in 2026.

As Toronto’s symphony orchestra, the TSO trains the city’s most talented young musicians in the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, and welcomes over 40,000 young people to concerts every year. By distributing thousands of free tickets to underserved communities, and by partnering with community organizations including the Toronto Public Library, the Alzheimer’s Society and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, we work to ensure that everyone can experience the inspiring, healing power of music.

The orchestra is supported by a generous and committed community of patrons and supporters, who have donated over $58 million in the last three years. Last year, in a groundbreaking moment for the arts in Canada, the TSO received a transformative $15 million gift from the Barrett Family Foundation – the largest pledge in the orchestra’s history. 

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 Opportunity

Title: Senior Development Officer, Stewardship 

Reports To: Senior Director, Philanthropy 

Status: Permanent Full-time  

Compensation:  $70,000 - $76,000 competitive benefits and vacation

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Donor Stewardship:

• Lead all aspects of major donor stewardship at the TSO, establishing best practice across the organization in collaboration with the Chief Development Officer, AVP Development, and Senior Director, Philanthropy

• Identify, anticipate and create unique opportunities to enhance the donor experience

• Develop new impact metrics for donor-funded programs and creative ways to present them to supporters

• Develop and prepare insightful and donor-centric stewardship reports

• Contribute to TSO donor publications, including Noteworthy, to share donor stories with our broader audience

• Manage and track donor recognition and naming opportunities for major gift, corporate and foundation donors (including house programs, annual reports, the TSO donor wall, etc. for annual, cumulative and campaign giving)

• With colleagues across the organization, coordinate fulfillment activities including gift agreements, pledge forms, mailings, personalized thank you letters, and tax receipts

• Coordinate personalized stewardship events and gift announcements with donors in collaboration with Associate Director, Events & Special Projects

• Liaise with the Artistic team to arrange meetings, backstage access, rehearsal access, and other coordinated experiences with orchestra, guest artists/conductors, or other key artistic personnel for major donors

Portfolio Management:

• Manage a small portfolio of established major gift donors and deliver an exceptional donor experience to solicit and retain donor support and increase donor affinity

• Prepare proposals, backgrounders, and budgets for cultivation and solicitation

• Maintain detailed records in the fundraising database Tessitura

Department Support:

• Support the overall work of the Development Department through hosting donors at concerts

• Keep donor records up to date in the TSO’s donor database Tessirtura

• Other duties as assigned 

Experience & Qualifications:

• Minimum of five years of fundraising experience in a non-profit organization, direct experience with major gifts stewardship considered an asset 

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative team culture

• High level of maturity, professional ethics, and personal integrity

• Understanding of fundraising policies, principles, and best practice

• Knowledge of fundraising databases (Tessitura or similar)

• Interest in and knowledge of orchestral music 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 Monday, May 12th, 2025. HR screeners will be conducted virtually on May 13th  and May 14th. Round 1 interviews will be conducted virtually the week of May 21st and  Round 2 finalists will meet in-person during the week of May 26th, 2025. 

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 unique 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:

• Typical office environment, though some activity takes place at rehearsals, concerts, and special events. The employee will be required to perform the essential functions of the job during some evening and weekend concerts and/or events. The majority of the TSO’s concerts take place in Roy Thomson Hall. Donor events may take place in event facilities, restaurants, and private homes.

• Hybrid work environment - opportunity to work remotely as well as in the office. 

• 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