Executive Full Time Calgary, AB $85,000 - $92,000 CAD per yearThe Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) has spent 27 years curating the world's most innovative and compelling cinema for Calgary audiences. Now, we're looking for a senior leader to help shape what the next chapter looks like.We are seeking a senior leader to serve as Director of Development: a critical member of CIFF’s leadership team responsible for driving the organization’s philanthropic and sponsorship revenue strategy, and a passionate advocate for the power of cinema to connect, inspire, and build community. This is as senior leadership role requiring a motivated fundraising professional with a proven ability to operate at an executive level: shaping strategy, leading teams, cultivating major donors, and advancing an impactful philanthropic vision that will help ensure CIFF thrives for the next 25 years.The Director’s primary portfolio centres on Major Gifts (gifts of $25,000+) and presenting partnerships, with direct responsibility for building and deepening CIFF’s most valuable relationships. Alongside individual giving, the Director will lead the team in executing a corporate partnership growth strategy — identifying new opportunities, deepening existing relationships, and growing this revenue stream in a meaningful way.CIFF is a high-performing, creative, and energetic organization — and this role reflects that. The Director of Development joins at an exciting moment of departmental growth, with one of their first opportunities being the chance to hire and shape a team of two, setting the tone for a dynamic Development team that matches the ambition and spirit of the organization they'll be part of.CIFF is in Year 2 of a five-year Philanthropic Strategy targeting $400,000+ in annual contributed revenue by 2029 — and the foundation is strong. With a fiercely loyal donor community, an established annual giving program (the Giving Reel), 100 festival partners, and 30,000 film lovers filling venues each September, this is an organization with a genuine and compelling story to tell. The Director of Development will be the bridge between that story and the donors, partners, and community members who want to be part of it.This is a permanent, year-round position with a target start date of October 15, 2026 (open until a suitable candidate is found).Day to Day Responsibilities:Major Gifts & Individual GivingLead and manage CIFF’s major gifts program, with a focus on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors at the $25,000+ levelServe as relationship lead for CIFF’s Presenting Partner and other key strategic fundersLead stewardship and renewal of the Giving Reel — CIFF’s flagship individual giving program — including personalized donor engagement and benefits fulfillmentDevelop and implement strategies to grow major gifts and individual giving revenue year-over-year, in alignment with CIFF’s five-year Philanthropic StrategyPlan and execute donor cultivation and stewardship events in consultation with the Executive Director, including annual impact-driven events for Giving Reel donorsOversee implementation of CIFF’s Holiday Fundraising Campaign and other signature individual giving initiativesOversee delivery of accurate and timely processing of gifts, charitable tax receipts, and donor acknowledgementsServe as a senior leader within CIFF’s management team, contributing to organizational strategy, decision-making, and cross-departmental collaborationChampion a culture of philanthropy across the organization, supporting staff and board members in understanding and embracing their roles in the fundraising processWork in close partnership with the Executive Director on fundraising strategy, board engagement,



and major donor relationshipsRepresent CIFF externally as a senior ambassador for the organization’s philanthropic missionLead the hiring and onboarding of two new Development Officers as part of CIFF’s departmental restructure, with both positions coming on in the early months of this roleProvide ongoing mentorship, strategic direction, and performance accountability to both Development Officers, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented team culture aligned with CIFF’s values and philanthropic goalsWork with the Executive Director to assess and plan future team growth as the department and contributed revenue programs expandContribute to Organizational Strategy and Budget Planning documentsCreate, maintain, and manage an annual Development strategic plan and departmental budget, in alignment with CIFF’s five-year Philanthropic StrategyProvide accurate contributed income forecasting and reporting on a weekly and monthly basisPlan and conduct CIFF’s periodic capital campaigns to advance CIFF’s strategic goalsLay the groundwork for a planned giving program, including identifying prospects and building toward a Legacy CircleLead the Development team in the design and execution of a corporate partnership growth strategy, with the goal of meaningfully expanding CIFF’s corporate revenue baseOversee and direct the corporate partnerships portfolio in collaboration with the Development Officer (Corporate Partnerships), ensuring strategic alignment and a consistent, relationship-first approachIdentify, cultivate, and secure new corporate partners, including through employee giving programs, cause marketing, and in‑kind partnershipsProvide senior‑level stewardship for CIFF’s most significant corporate relationships, including the Presenting Partner and key institutional fundersBoard EngagementWork closely with the Board of Directors, providing senior leadership on fundraising initiatives, supporting board members in cultivation and solicitation, and ensuring board accountability to fundraising goalsPrepare briefing documents, presentations, gift agreements, and other materials for board and donor engagement as requiredData Management & OperationsOversee the Development team’s use of Keela (CIFF’s data management system), ensuring data integrity, consistent processes, and effective use of the platform across all donor programsMaintain up‑to‑date donor records, profiles, and prospect researchGenerate and oversee day‑to‑day management of the departmental budget, providing detailed reports of contributed income and forecasting weekly and monthly revenueWork with the Marketing Department to provide regular updates for supporter publications, annual reports, and other donor acknowledgement collateralJob QualificationsThe successful candidate will have demonstrated the following in their cover letter and resume:Must HavesA minimum of five years experience in senior fundraising roles, with demonstrated growth in scope, leadership, and revenue impact over timeDemonstrated experience working within a fundraising program of $500,000 or greater in annual contributed revenueDemonstrated track record in major gifts fundraising, including direct solicitation of gifts at the $25,000+ levelExperience in a senior leadership role,



with the ability to contribute to organizational strategy and operate effectively at an executive levelExperience directly managing or mentoring a fundraising teamStrong background in donor solicitation, relationship management, and portfolio stewardship across individual giving and corporate partnerships; experience leading a partnership growth strategy is a strong assetProficiency with fundraising data management systems; experience with Keela is a strong assetDemonstrated talent for managing a large and complex portfolio of donor relationships in a timely and strategic mannerDemonstrated superior leadership, management, and interpersonal skillsStrong organizational skills including the ability to prioritize, problem‑solve, and multitask in a fast‑paced environmentExperience in the non‑profit or arts sector is a strong assetBachelor’s Degree and/or Master’s Degree preferred in arts management, non‑profit development, or a combination of relevant training and experienceExperience with planned giving and capital campaigns a plusDuring the interview, we’ll be looking for the following:A clear picture of your trajectory in fundraising — how your responsibilities and revenue impact have grown over time, and what senior leadership has looked like in your careerYour experience with major gifts at the $25,000+ level: how you identify, cultivate, and close gifts at that level, and how you maintain those relationships over timeYour experience managing and growing a fundraising program at scale, including how you have contributed to significant revenue growthHow you have used data management systems to drive donor strategy, track portfolio performance, and support team accountabilityYour experience leading a team and creating a high‑performing, collaborative environmentHow you approach organizational strategy and philanthropic planning in a resource‑conscious, mission‑driven environment, including how you have developed or led a partnership growth strategyApproximate Hours of WorkAn approximation of hours per week is below, dependent on operational needs and business flow. It is understood that shift work, weekend work, and work on statutory holidays may or may be required.This role is full time (1.0 FTE)Why CIFF?A senior leadership seat at one of Calgary’s most beloved cultural institutions — with real influence over where CIFF goes nextThe chance to build something at an exciting moment of organizational growthDeep roots in Calgary’s arts and cultural community — and a front‑row seat to the city’s most exciting annual eventFree attendance to CIFF screenings — because if you’re going to champion the festival, you should experience itOur competitive time off and flexible workplace policiesFull staff advantages packageA passionate, dedicated team that genuinely loves what they do — and brings that energy to everything they build togetherOUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSIONCIFF is committed to creating an employment opportunity that begins with respect, dignity and equity. We welcome individuals to apply from all backgrounds including: of any race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, ability, citizenship, creed, sex, sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, same sex partnership, age, marital status, family status, immigration status, receipt of public assistance, history of mental health issues, health status, political affiliation, learning difference, level of literacy, accent, first language, body type, physical appearance and abilities, stature or socio‑economic status. Further, we acknowledge that we are on a continuing journey of learning and unlearning. Our path to breaking down systemic barriers has begun but we by no means have arrived. We are open to feedback and continuous dialogue on how we can make the hiring process equitable for all.#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Executive - C$85,000 - C$92,000 A Year (Winnipeg)
🏢 Calgary International Film Festival
📍 Winnipeg