The 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.

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.

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 agile 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 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 January 15, 2026 (open until a suitable candidate is found).

Day to Day Responsibilities:

Major Gifts & Individual Giving

Lead and manage CIFF’s major gifts program, with a focus on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors at the $25,000+ level

Serve as relationship lead for CIFF’s Presenting Partner and other key strategic funders

Lead stewardship and renewal of the Giving Reel — CIFF’s flagship individual giving program — including personalized donor engagement and benefits fulfillment

Develop and implement strategies to grow major gifts and individual giving revenue year-over-year, in alignment with CIFF’s five-year Philanthropic Strategy

Plan and execute donor cultivation and stewardship events in consultation with the Executive Director, including annual impact-driven events for Giving Reel donors

Oversee implementation of CIFF’s Holiday Fundraising Campaign and other signature individual giving initiatives

Oversee delivery of accurate and timely processing of gifts, charitable tax receipts, and donor acknowledgements

Serve as a senior leader within CIFF’s management team, contributing to organizational strategy,



decision-making, and cross-departmental collaboration

Champion a culture of philanthropy across the organization, supporting staff and board members in understanding and embracing their roles in the fundraising process

Work in close partnership with the Executive Director on fundraising strategy, board engagement, and major donor relationships

Represent CIFF externally as a senior ambassador for the organization’s philanthropic mission

Lead 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 role

Provide 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 goals

Work with the Executive Director to assess and plan future team growth

Contribute to Organizational Strategy and Budget Planning documents

Create, maintain, and manage an annual Development strategic plan and departmental budget, in alignment with CIFF’s five-year Philanthropic Strategy

Provide accurate contributed income forecasting and reporting on a weekly and monthly basis

Plan and conduct CIFF’s periodic capital campaigns to advance CIFF’s strategic goals

Lay the groundwork for a planned giving program, including identifying prospects and building toward a Legacy Circle

Lead the Development team in the design and execution of a corporate partnership growth strategy, with the goal of meaningfully expanding CIFF’s corporate revenue base

Oversee and direct the corporate partnerships portfolio in

📌 Director of Development (Winnipeg)
🏢 Calgary International Film Festival | CIFF
📍 Winnipeg