Director, Annual Giving

The Royal Conservatory (RCM) is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world, providing the definitive standard of excellence in curriculum design, assessment, performance training, and teacher certification. Graduates from its two performance training programs, The Glenn Gould School and The Phil & Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists, regularly perform on major international stages.

The RCM is also a leader in the development of early childhood education programs and arts-based social programs, and presents a diverse range of concerts featuring the finest Canadian and international artists in its magnificent performance space, Koerner Hall. Please visit  for more information.

Reporting to the Managing Director, Development, the Director, Annual Giving provides strategic and operational leadership for The Royal Conservatory of Music’s annual giving program.

The Director translates the Managing Director, Development’s integrated fundraising strategy into an annual giving plan that aligns donor acquisition, participation, retention, upgrading and annual-program activity with RCM’s institutional fundraising objectives. The role leads the annual giving team and oversees the development and delivery of integrated annual giving strategies that engage RCM’s broad community and build a strong pipeline of future mid-level, major, principal and transformational gift donors.

Working in partnership with the Manager, Gift and Database Administration, and team members in Marketing and Communications, Donor Engagement, and Individual Giving, along with other internal stakeholders at RCM, the Director ensures annual giving activity is data-informed, donor-centred and aligned with institutional priorities and audience-engagement initiatives.

• Develop and implement the annual giving strategy and annual operating plan in alignment with the Managing Director, Development’s integrated Development strategy, approved institutional priorities and revenue goals; provide regular forecasts, strategic advice, and timely escalation of risks and opportunities.
• Establish and execute annual giving strategy, annual revenue plans, donor-acquisition and retention targets, campaign calendar, budget and performance measures required to meet short- and long-term goals.
• Provide leadership, coaching and performance management to the Manager, Annual Giving. Establish clear expectations, monitor results and support the Manager to meet and exceed revenue, participation and retention targets.
• Oversee strategies to acquire, retain, renew and upgrade annual donors, generally at gift levels up to $25,000, and to identify donors and prospective supporters with the potential to advance into Individual Giving portfolios.
• Establish and manage the operating relationship between Annual Giving and Individual Giving to ensure qualified donors and prospects are effectively identified, referred and advanced through the donor pathway.
• Maintain a selective portfolio of annual donors and prospects, as assigned, including donors whose relationships are best sustained through the Annual Giving program.
• Provide strategic leadership for annual giving programs and membership-based initiatives, as applicable. Ensure program models, benefits, revenue strategies and donor experiences are regularly assessed and adapted to support institutional priorities and changing donor needs.
• In partnership with the Associate Director, Donor Engagement, provide leadership for the planned giving program. Ensure planned giving is integrated into annual giving strategy and donor communications, and that donors receive coordinated information, recognition and engagement…