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Hot Docs is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing and celebrating the art of documentary and to creating production opportunities for documentary filmmakers.

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, North America's largest documentary festival, conference and market, will present its 31st annual edition from April 25 to May 5, 2024.

Year-round, Hot Docs supports the Canadian and international industry with professional development programs and a multi-million-dollar production fund portfolio, and fosters education through documentaries with its popular free program Docs For Schools.

Hot Docs also owns and programs the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, a century-old landmark located in Toronto's Annex neighbourhood and the world's first and largest documentary cinema.


OPPORTUNITY TYPE: Full-time Permanent

REPORTS TO: Head of Development

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled


JOB DESCRIPTION

Are you ready to take the reins of a dynamic fundraising portfolio and drive impactful philanthropy for a prestigious Documentary Film institution? If you're a seasoned leader with a passion for fostering relationships and a track record in not-for-profit fundraising, we invite you to step into the role of Director, Individual Giving & Major Gifts at Hot Docs!

Reporting to the Head of Development, the Director, Individual Giving & Major Gifts is responsible for pursuing leadership gifts that strategically benefit the organization’s annual projects and initiatives. They are responsible for maintaining the organization’s individual and family foundation outreach strategy and ensuring its successful implementation through researching and sourcing funding opportunities, overseeing production of programmatic initiatives, and maintaining positive working relationships with key stakeholders, including potential donors and philanthropic entities in both US and Canada.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Philanthropy

  • Develop strategic and operational development plans and associated budgets in partnership with the executive team and Head of Development; monitor relevant revenue and expense budgets;
  • Foster exceptional project management to lead and manage the affairs of the Individual Giving & Major Gifts program, including budgeting, project direction, supervision and evaluation of the Individual Giving & Major Gifts;
  • Build, mentor, and retain a high-quality, motivated and satisfied team who exhibit strong alignment to mission, and who consistently produce results;
  • Coach and model behaviour to support leadership journey of all team members;
  • Realign Individual Giving & Major Gifts team operations as needed to facilitate and reinforce the effectiveness of strategic plans. This includes realigning key processes, team structure, management practices, communications, and the deployment of staff and volunteers;
  • Actively participate in management and leadership meetings;
  • Work with all teams to ensure information sharing and provide guidance to assist in developing goals, plans, and procedures;
  • Engage relevant consultants and vendors to ensure their effective management;
  • Successfully negotiate and work within the organization as a whole to ensure that donor expectations are aligned with organizational strategy and needs with respect to the Philanthropy department;
  • Remain knowledgeable of best practices in the fundraising field, general management of development programs, privacy, the Income tax act, Canada Revenue Agency rulings and guidelines.
Program Management
  • As they relate to the Individual Giving & Major Gifts team, actively manage the revenue portfolio of properties and activities of varying sizes for a variety of stakeholders including, but not limited to: Hot Docs Festival, Hot Docs Cinema, Hot Docs US Foundation, Hot Docs Industry activities, Curious Minds Festival, and Podcast Festival;
  • Plan and develop short and long-term engagement strategies for the Individual Giving & Major Gifts, that are both strategic and tactical in nature, to proactively build a robust portfolio of diversified new opportunities in order to support Hot Docs in accomplishing organizational goals;
  • Develop strategies and approaches to diversify the base of partner support to reflect the communities Hot Docs serves and represents;
  • Work collaboratively with the executive team to ensure that event programs are in place for all donors at all levels to provide a consistent, meaningful and appropriate donor journey.
U.S Foundations
  • Oversee the cultivation and solicitation strategy for new prospective Foundation partners in the United States, including the involvement of volunteer leadership where appropriate;
  • Oversee recognition and stewardship for all existing U.S. Foundation partners;
  • Work with Hot Docs staff and the development team to manage donor relationships and conduct prospect clearance;
  • Oversee the moves management activities and tracking related to all U.S. Foundation partners and its progress;
  • Develop solicitation materials and annual campaigns for U.S. Foundation outreach;
  • Manage and oversee the Hot Docs Foundation USA, including administrative processes and the development of an outreach campaign for realizing new funding from US donors;
  • Manage and oversee the Hot Docs Foundation USA Board of Directors, including recruitment to facilitate the strategic direction of the HDF USA where appropriate.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

  • 8-10 years of direct experience in not-for-profit fundraising, festival or event fundraising, or other relevant professional experience;
  • Sound knowledge of fundraising theory and strategies;
  • Some Individual giving and donor cultivation experience;
  • A proven track record of commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-oppression with the progressive mindset of a champion for a workplace culture that promotes a bias-free work environment and a fully welcoming institution for all staff, visitors, donors, board members and community partners;
  • Excellent administration skills;
  • Working knowledge of customer relationship management databases, ideally Salesforce;
  • Advanced proficiency in MS Office;
  • Working knowledge of the Canadian film and television industry is helpful, but not essential;
  • Interest in the arts and culture sector;
  • Strong customer service background;
  • Superior communication skills, both written and oral;
  • Superior attention to detail;
  • Solid negotiating skills and ability to diplomatically work with multiple stakeholders;
  • Excellent relationship-building skills;
  • Exceptional time-management skills;
  • Able to work under pressure within tight deadlines;
  • Problem-solving skills that allow to quickly assess situations and make effective judgement calls;
  • Adaptable to a flexible work schedule, including some evenings and weekends;
  • Proven team player who is both flexible and adaptable;
  • Be solution oriented and able to overcome obstacles to foster collaboration both internally and externally;
  • Successfully balance competing priorities, complex situations and tight deadlines;
  • ​Have a personal passion for the mission, vision, and strategic direction of Hot Docs.

APPLICATION

Please forward a cover letter and resume to:

Hot Docs
Subject Line: Hiring Committee – Director, Individual Giving & Major Gifts
Email: [email protected]

No phone calls please.


EQUITY STATEMENT
Hot Docs is a forum to share stories and perspectives on the people, issues and events that shape our world, and we encourage respectful discussion and debate to foster greater understanding and empathy.

An integral component of this is Hot Docs’ commitment to fostering an organizational culture that brings together people with different races, identities, abilities, experiences and skills. Hot Docs is committed to reflecting the diverse communities we serve in the stories we present and also in our workforce. We encourage applications from diverse communities and welcome applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT
Hot Docs encourages applications from qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please advise the hiring manager to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process. Information received relating to the accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

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