Development Director

Headquartered in Calgary, AB, Honens is Canada’s international piano competition. The triennial event, considered one of the most prestigious of its kind in the world, awards its Gold Laureate $100,000 CAD as well as a three-year comprehensive, customized Artist Development Program which supports the development of a sustainable and meaningful career in classical music. In addition to community initiatives, the annual Honens Festival presents a dynamic mix of ticketed and free concerts and events, engaging audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of musical experience.

Honens is seeking a Development Director—an individual who is passionate about the arts, values meaningful relationships, and is motivated to play a key role in shaping the organization’s future. Reporting to the President & CEO, the Development Director leads and manages all aspects of individual giving, including Laureate Circles across Canada, the Annual Campaign, and special events, while contributing to the organization’s overall fundraising strategy and long‑term sustainability.

This role works closely with the President & CEO, Board of Directors, and internal team to strengthen revenue streams and deepen engagement with donors, sponsors, and partners. Both strategic and hands‑on, the Development Director is responsible for building strong relationships, advancing key initiatives, and ensuring all development activities reflect Honens’ values of excellence, integrity, belonging, creativity, and collaboration.

This is a full‑time, permanent position based in Calgary, with some flexibility for remote work. The role requires a willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of events, performances, and donor engagement activities.

This job description outlines the primary responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be all‑inclusive.

• Contributes as a key member of the organizational leadership team, supporting cross‑functional alignment and decision‑making
• Leads the development and execution of Honens’ fundraising strategy, including individual giving, sponsorship, and institutional funding
• Collaborates with the President & CEO to support long‑term growth, campaign planning, and strategic initiatives
• Builds and manages a strong donor pipeline, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Oversees grant activity, including prospecting, application development, and reporting
• Leads cross‑departmental projects, ensuring alignment across development, communications, and programming
• Develops and refines systems and processes to support effective fundraising, tracking, and reporting
• Monitors performance through data, reporting, and evaluation
• Ensures integrity of donor data and adherence to organizational processes and timelines

• Builds and stewards strong relationships with current and prospective donors nationwide, leveraging regional markets to support national engagement and growth
• Leads donor engagement and retention strategies to support long‑term growth
• Secures major gifts and sponsor ships, overseeing related development activities
• Develops and delivers donor benefits, ensuring all commitments are fulfilled
• Develops and advances growth strategies for Laureate Circles across Canada
• Works with the President & CEO to advance a planned giving program

• Develops and executes strategies to secure and grow corporate sponsor ships aligned with Honens’ artistic and community programming
• Identifies and cultivates relationships with corporate partners, aligning opportunities with organizational priorities
• Works with the Communications Manager to develop tailored sponsorship packages and proposals
• Ensures fulfillment of sponsorship benefits and long‑term partner stewardship

• Oversees donor recognition across all materials, ensuring appropriate and accurate acknowledgement of funders and sponsors
• Ensures donor information is current and consistent across the Honens website, other platforms, and publications
• Works with the Communications Manager to develop and maintain donor recognition materials

• Produces and…