Job Summary:
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 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 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
Senior Leadership
- 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
Team Leadership & Management
- 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 philanthropic goals
- Work with the Executive Director to assess and plan future team growth as the department and contributed revenue programs expand
Strategy & Planning
- 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
Corporate Partnership Growth Strategy
- 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 collaboration with the Development Officer (Corporate Partnerships), ensuring strategic alignment and a consistent, relationship-first approach
- Identify, cultivate, and secure new corporate partners, including through employee giving programs, cause marketing, and in-kind partnerships
- Provide senior-level stewardship for CIFF’s most significant corporate relationships, including the Presenting Partner and key institutional funders
Board Engagement
- Work 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 goals
- Prepare briefing documents, presentations, gift agreements, and other materials for board and donor engagement as required
Data Management & Operations
- Oversee 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 programs
- Maintain up-to-date donor records, profiles, and prospect research
- Generate and oversee day-to-day management of the departmental budget, providing detailed reports of contributed income and forecasting weekly and monthly revenue
- Work with the Marketing Department to provide regular updates for supporter publications, annual reports, and other donor acknowledgement collateral
Job Qualifications:
The successful candidate will have demonstrated the following in their cover letter and resume:
Must Haves:
- A minimum of five years experience in senior fundraising roles, with demonstrated growth in scope, leadership, and revenue impact over time
- Demonstrated experience working within a fundraising program of $500,000 or greater in annual contributed revenue
- Demonstrated track record in major gifts fundraising, including direct solicitation of gifts at the $25,000+ level
- Experience in a senior leadership role, with the ability to contribute to organizational strategy and operate effectively at an executive level
- Experience directly managing or mentoring a fundraising team
- Strong background in donor solicitation, relationship management, and portfolio stewardship across individual giving and corporate partnerships; experience leading a partnership growth strategy is a strong asset
- Proficiency with fundraising data management systems; experience with Keela is a strong asset
- Demonstrated talent for managing a large and complex portfolio of donor relationships in a timely and strategic manner
- Demonstrated superior leadership, management, and interpersonal skills
- Strong organizational skills including the ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and multitask in a fast-paced environment
- Experience in the non-profit or arts sector is a strong asset
- Bachelor’s Degree and/or Master’s Degree preferred in arts management, non-profit development, or a combination of relevant training and experience
- Experience with planned giving and capital campaigns a plus
During 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 career
- Your 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 time
- Your experience managing and growing a fundraising program at scale, including how you have contributed to significant revenue growth
- How you have used data management systems to drive donor strategy, track portfolio performance, and support team accountability
- Your experience leading a team and creating a high-performing, collaborative environment
- How you approach organizational strategy and philanthropic planning in a resource-conscious, mission-driven environment, including how you have developed or led a partnership growth strategy
Approximate Hours of Work
An 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 will 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 next
- The chance to build something at an exciting moment of organizational growth
- Deep roots in Calgary’s arts and cultural community — and a front-row seat to the city’s most exciting annual event
- Free attendance to CIFF screenings — because if you’re going to champion the festival, you should experience it
- Clear compensation growth plan
- Our competitive time off and flexible workplace policies
- Full staff benefits package
- A passionate, dedicated team that genuinely loves what they do — and brings that energy to everything they build together
TO APPLY
We’d love to hear from you. Simply upload your cover letter and resume using this link to apply. In your cover letter, tell us about a fundraising initiative you’re proud of and what excites you about this moment at CIFF. We’ll be in touch with everyone who applies to confirm we’ve received their application. The Hiring Manager will reach out directly to those selected to move forward. We thank everyone who takes the time to apply.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
CIFF 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.
