Job Posting

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced fundraising professional to provide strategic leadership and operational expertise for the fundraising efforts of the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA).  Reporting to the CCA Director, and being an active member of the Management Committee, the Associate Director, Development works in close collaboration with all CCA divisions, as well as with senior management, the Board of Trustees, Leadership Council and the members of the Development Committee. The incumbent will play an integral role in establishing, fostering and enhancing relationships with current and potential CCA supporters including major donors, friends of CCA, individuals, foundations, government and corporations.

With a team of 3 to 4 direct reports, the Associate Director will lead the refinement and development of fundraising plans for programs in the areas of annual donations, major gifts, fundraising and cultivation events, as well as government and foundation grants.  Employing outstanding fundraising practice together with a highly creative approach, the Associate Director will inspire stakeholders and staff to grow private and public funding in support and alignment with the CCA’s mission, vision and priority needs in compliance with the budgetary, financial and operational requirements set out in the guidelines and decisions of senior management and the CCA’s Board of Trustees.

About The Canadian Centre for Architecture

The CCA is an international research centre and museum founded on the conviction that architecture is a public concern. Based on its extensive Collection, exhibitions, programs, and research opportunities, the CCA is a leading voice in advancing knowledge, promoting public understanding, and widening thought and debate on architecture, its history, theory, practice and role in society today.

The CCA holds one of the world’s foremost international research collections of publications, conceptual studies, drawings, plans, models, prints, photographs, architectural archives, related artefacts and ephemera.

Over 50 years ago, architect Phyllis Lambert, Founding Director Emeritus, began the collection that would become the cornerstone of the institution. Today the CCA Collection, comprising works dating from the Renaissance to the present day, documents the culture of architecture worldwide. The guiding purpose of the Collection is to make comprehensive and integrated bodies of material available for advanced, interdisciplinary research in order to reveal the changing character of thought and observation pertaining to the built world, to provide evidence in depth of cultural and intellectual circles of the past, and point to the future of architectural thinking and practice.

CCA exhibitions, together with public programs, forge links between architectural thinking and practice, the history of ideas, and changing social and cultural conditions. Programs are both local and international in scope.  

Lectures, film screenings, seminars, colloquia, special events, and gallery talks present differing architectural ideas to the wider public at all age-levels as well as to architects and scholars, aiming to reveal the richness of architectural and urban culture and to stimulate dynamic engagement with contemporary issues and debates.

The CCA develops interdisciplinary research in all aspects of architectural thought and practice. Through its Centre (inaugurated in 1997) and its programs, seminars and colloquia, CCA supports research efforts and advances broad new lines of discourse and investigation. Linking advanced research with public engagement in architecture, the CCA encourages scholars, students, architects and other professionals to pursue projects in the spirit of a broadly connective inquiry that cuts across time, space, and media.

For more information about the Canadian Center for Architecture please visit www.cca.qc.ca

 

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated individual who will provide leadership, strategy and execution to the CCA’s Development division.  With an interest and affinity for architecture and the arts, the Associate Director will identify development opportunities, and continue to refine and implement a strategic fundraising plan with a focus on goals and tactics that are well-integrated and supportive of the CCA’s overall vision and highly innovative strategy.

Drawing on experience in qualifying, cultivating and soliciting prospective annual, intermediate and major gift donors, from an existing and new network within the arts, cultural, and business communities, both nationally and internationally, the incumbent will have skills in building and nurturing new and existing relationships with individual donors as well as an understanding of how to reach out to the diverse donor audiences that reflect the cultural tapestry of Montreal and Canada, with a special focus on the international market.   The successful incumbent will also have the capacity to inspire and work closely with senior volunteers from the Board of Trustees and the Leadership Council for major gift development in an effective and supportive manner, with integrity, diplomacy and confidence.   

A positive, pragmatic and politically savvy leader with a strong work ethic and high standards, the Associate Director will nurture solid internal relationships within the CCA and will demonstrate flexibility and the capacity to work in close partnership and negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes with internal colleagues.  Passionate about the CCA’s vision and mission, the incumbent will possess intellectual curiosity and an eagerness to learn about the CCA’s collection, programs and research, benefitting from the experience and knowledge of a unique international group of colleagues.

An exceptionally strong communicator, the ideal candidate will be skilled at articulating plans and ideas to inspire major donors and to build trust and respect with and among senior leaders, volunteers, colleagues and staff members. The incumbent, through collaboration and teamwork, will continue to build a culture of philanthropy at the CCA.  

Experienced at recruiting and managing development professionals, the Associate Director will be a mentor, trainer and advocate with a focus on the team’s continuing growth. Able to identify the strengths, abilities and needs of individuals, the successful incumbent will foster talent, initiative and commitment through delegation to and empowerment of others. 

 

Key Responsibilities

Development Planning and Organization

• Implement and refine with the CCA Director and the Associate Directors, a strategic and integrated development program for the CCA to maximize its return on relationships with individual donors, foundations and government.
• Participate with the CCA Director and the Associate Directors, in the annual planning and budgeting process.
• Manage the Development division in a fiscally sound manner by ensuring that the appropriate systems, staffing and procedures are in place to support all of the CCA’s development activities.
• Oversee all of the division’s activities and develop privileged relationships with major donors.
• Develop and manage the Development division action plan and the budget; monitor all of the division’s revenue and expenses.
• Oversee the division’s data management process including developing and maintaining a broad prospective and a donor and sponsor record management system, as well as producing donor, sponsor and investment reports.
• Ensure the implementation of the most recent measures relating to laws and regulations for charitable organizations.

Development Program Strategy

• Pursue the actions of the Revenue generation plan defined by the Development team, the Director, the senior staff and the Board of Trustees.
• Develop and implement the strategy based on the CCA’s existing vision for the Development division and play a key role within the CCA Management team, aligning the Development division with the CCA’s goals.
• Identify challenges and opportunities that will impact which strategies to favour, adapt and develop for each solicitation activity; also identify and develop strategies to implement best practices for all development programs and duties.
• Account for the nature of the institution when expanding the scope of the division’s activities at the national and international level.
• Ensure that the Development team reaches its net income generation targets.
• Oversee the writing and preparation of reports on funding sources such as the Board of Trustees and annual fundraising, sponsorships and special events.

Relationship Development and Fundraising

• Develop a network of Canadian donors as the first step of the CCA’s larger national and international fundraising strategy.
• Develop the canvassing plan for the new generation of prospective donors and ensure that the plan to expand the support network is implemented locally, nationally and internationally. Support CCA volunteer solicitors and facilitators, particularly members of the Board of Trustees’ Leadership Council, whose mandate is to solicit major donations.
• In collaboration with CCA Communications, develop a plan and communication tools to support fundraising efforts through loyalty, recognition, awareness and solicitation programs.
• Design, execute and manage the annual campaign, the major gift program, support for exhibitions and projects as well as other contributions, to achieve the goals as determined by the CCA’s Board of Trustees and the CCA Director.
• Prepare and oversee all direct mail, as well as donation proposals required to support the CCA’s development efforts.
• Build upon and implement an integrated stewardship and recognition program.
• Design, manage and execute all special fundraising events as approved by the CCA’s Board of Trustees and the CCA Director.
• Build excellent relationships with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees and work closely with them to ensure CCA volunteer support, mainly through the Development Committee and Leadership Council.
• Represent the CCA at events, conferences and other activities as needed.

Team Leadership & Management

• Hire, train and supervise the Development division team members.
• Conduct staff performance reviews and ensure that staff are meeting or exceeding expectations, and achieving personal performance objectives.
• Share knowledge, experience and best practices with the Development team.
• Provide encouragement and coaching for Development team members to ensure success, retention, and continued growth.
• In addition to leading and supporting the Development team, provide strategic direction to key members of the Board of Trustees, the Development Committee, the CCA Director and the Associate Directors regarding the CCA’s development activities.
• Work in close collaboration with the CCA Director and all the Associate Directors to identify and develop funding projects, including potential sources of financial support and donations.
• Work in close collaboration with the Associate Director, communication and the Associate Director, Publications, to promote and disseminate the content of CCA fundraising activities across all media (online and print).

 

Qualifications and Competencies

• Development leadership experience with a proven track record of fundraising success in the areas of annual giving, major gifts, government and foundation grants.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles and processes with significant experience in developing fundraising strategies and implementing multi-faceted fundraising plans.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and develop donor relationships (local, national and international) and clear evidence of ability to obtain support through intermediate and major gifts.
• Experience in the effective management and support of senior volunteers for major gift fundraising.
• Experience in team leadership. Demonstrated ability to attract, mentor, motivate and lead a small team of professionals to achieve common goals and objectives.
• Superior collaborative and interpersonal skills to engage and motivate stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills, with great attention to detail.
• A highly creative and innovative approach to fundraising and problem solving.
• Good understanding of data management systems and the essential role they play in achieving success.
• Knowledge of social media and digital marketing will be considered an asset.
• Excellent English language skills are required, both verbal and written communication abilities.  French verbal communication skills are desirable.    
• A University degree in a relevant field is preferred for this position.
• International experience in a similar role would be desirable.

 

Living in Montréal

Montréal is a truly unique city – safe and clean, vibrant and diverse, with new things to discover around every corner.  It is not surprising that The Financial Times put Montréal at the head of its top-ten “City of Dreams” list. With 1.8 million residents (3.6 million in the entire metropolitan region) Montréal is the 16th largest city in North America and the world’s second-largest French-speaking city.  While the city’s official language is French, Montréal is easy to navigate for both English and French speakers.

Public education in the province of Quebec is free from kindergarten to Secondary 5 and after that, fees for pre-university college studies are low at the numerous colleges and CEGEPS in the Greater Montréal area.  With 11 institutions of higher learning in English or French, including 4 universities and 2 faculties of medicine, the city offers an unparalleled number of post-secondary education learning opportunities in almost every field of study.  To assure accessible and quality health care services for its residents, Montréal counts 33 hospitals and two super-hospitals, one of which is currently under construction.

Montréal has a strong cultural tradition with an inspiring atmosphere of art, music, literature and innovative technology. The city is internationally renowned for its four major festivals: the International Jazz Festival, the Just for Laughs Festival, Les Francofolies and the World Film Festival. All told, there are more than 17 festivals in Montréal each year.  In the world of the performing arts, the city is home to many internationally renowned companies like the Montréal Symphony Orchestra, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, the Opéra de Montréal and the Cirque du Soleil.

Montréal is beautiful throughout all four distinct seasons and the city offers residents an ideal environment with both bustling city life and wide-open natural spaces.  Even in the middle of winter, the city is incredibly active with cross-country skiing and tobogganing in Mont-Royal Park, and ice skating in one of the many outdoor rinks. In Montréal’s downtown area, the underground city makes it easy to keep warm while getting around. Montréal also has an extensive and accessible public transportation system with a network of busses and trains as well as Canada’s longest subway system.

Montréal not only boasts superb quality of life – it’s affordable, too. The combination of consumer prices, rents and municipal taxes make Montréal one of the least expensive major cities on the continent.

Montréal’s leading economic sectors include finance, business services, telecommunications, aerospace, energy, education, life sciences and information technology. A number of Canada’s corporations are headquartered in Montréal.

For more Information

KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.) has been engaged by the Canadian Centre for Architecture to lead this search. Interested candidates are invited to contact Sylvie Battisti, Senior Search Consultant by email at: CCA@KCIphilanthropy.com or by telephone at: (438) 820-3496.

All inquiries will be kept in strict confidence.  Candidates who wish to apply for this position should ensure that a resume and letter of interest are sent to the above email address by March 6, 2017.  Interested candidates are encouraged to express their interest promptly as candidate submissions will be evaluated on an ongoing basis.