Careers

About Calgary Public Library Foundation (www.libraryfoundation.ca)

As a passionate team of fundraisers, we’re dedicated to enhancing the world around us. At our core, we believe that libraries are vital community pillars, and Calgary Public Library significantly enriches the lives of those in our city. With a record-breaking 800,000-plus members, the Library continues to demonstrate its essential role in our community. We deeply appreciate every philanthropic contribution that enhances our Library’s impact, whether it’s by removing barriers, fostering innovation, or strengthening community resilience.

Over the past decade, we’ve achieved remarkable success, raising over $80 million and setting new standards for library philanthropy across Canada. However, our journey is far from over. We’re on the lookout for a Senior Development Officer who shares our commitment to securing funding partnerships and sponsorships from corporations, individuals, foundations, and other organizations. This role offers an exciting opportunity for the right individual to shape their pivotal role within Calgary Public Library Foundation.

Collaboration is at the heart of our approach. We prefer spontaneous discussions and problem-solving sessions with colleagues over formal emails. As creative thinkers, we thrive on exploring new ideas and approaches. We have fun but never forget to challenge each other and the status quo. 

About You 

You understand the art of major gift fundraising; have experience working with all types of major donors; and have a track record of being a leader and positive influence on your team, helping others succeed at reaching their goals. 

You’re a seasoned networking superstar. You love getting out of the office and connecting with the right people and the right organizations to secure support for Calgary Public Library. You have a curious mind, are a good listener, know how to ask key questions, and build trust with people. You’re comfortable navigating and leading conversations with both individuals and corporations about priority funding needs and asking directly for financial support. 

As much as you enjoy getting out and networking, you also excel at cold calling to generate new leads. You are organized, efficient, and are comfortable managing a large pipeline. You are self motivated and enjoy the satisfaction of meeting or exceeding your goals. You have succeeded at securing six and seven figure gifts from both corporations and individuals. 

You’re an all-around excellent communicator – not just in conversations but in writing too. You understand the importance of communicating according to a donor’s wishes, communicating effectively with your team, you know the ins-and-outs of proposals, grant-writing and stewardship reporting processes. You know the difference between what decision-makers want to see when a document comes across their desk, versus an individual donor. You are clear and concise while deciphering complex subject matter and are skilled at demonstrating the ROI the Library has in our community. 

What You’ll do

Fundraise

• Lead, develop and execute the strategy to maintain, grow and build a portfolio of assigned major gift donors and prospects, focusing on six and seven figure gifts and multi year partnerships. 
• Research and strategize new prospects including corporations, new industries, individuals, and foundations. Comfortable making cold calls on a weekly basis.
• Develop a proactive annual fundraising plan to move donors and prospects from identification and cultivation towards solicitation and closure in an appropriate and timely fashion, including stretch gifts and multi-year pledges.
• Lead and develop grant applications, ensuring all timelines are met, and secure event sponsorship support.
• Create and maintain a high-quality stewardship plan for donors that ensures stewardship reporting requirements are met to sustain successful long-term partnerships. 
• Assist the Board of Directors to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donations.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development and CEO to develop plans for the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospective donors.
• Detailed tracking of all activities through established procedures within the Raiser’s Edge NXT database and our internal shared drive.

Build Relationships

• Build long-lasting, meaningful and deep relationships with donors successfully moving them through the donor cycle. 
• Negotiate and mediate to achieve the best outcome for the Library and the donor.
• Cultivate relationships with our Board of Directors, Calgary Public Library staff, leaders, and friends. 
• Ensure ongoing familiarity with Library direction, priorities, economic environment, current trends in philanthropy and innovation in fundraising and leadership. 
• Collaborate with Library team members to identify areas, pilots and programs that require and inspire funding support. 
• Identify personalized cultivation, solicitation and stewardship tactics with the support of the team. 

Support the Team

• Act as a mentor on the Development team, supporting Development Officers with their growth and learning. 
• Support the Director of Development and CEO as needed. 
• Pitch in and support your colleagues in various scenarios.

Our Ideal Candidate

• 5+ years of major gift fundraising experience with proven ability to obtain donor support at the level of six figures and above.
• Cold calling master, leading to new donors. 
• Skilled relationship-builder with an established track record of understanding the vision of donors and prospects and how they can achieve their goals through investment in the Library.
• Clear and concise professional communication skills that can not only secure gifts, but develop and sustain ongoing relationships with donors to ensure they continue to experience the impact of their investment through appropriate stewardship methodology.
• The ability to exercise a high level of discretion in both internal and external interactions; professional, composed and can demonstrate grace under pressure. 
• A high level of knowledge about relational database systems and technology applications to enhance business workflow and scalability (we work in Raiser’s Edge NXT).
• Strong organizational abilities, including planning, prioritizing and organizing complex grants and proposal deadlines with minimal direction.

What You’ll Get

• A competitive salary reflective of your level of expertise and experience in the field
• A comprehensive benefits package
• Full-time position
• 20 days of vacation 
• 16 personal days 
• 10% RRSP matching

The Interview Process

• We will review all resumes using blind screening and invite the top candidates to discuss their skills at our first round of interviews. 
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to meet the team. You’ll spend five minutes with each of your potential colleagues and get to learn more about our organization. 
• If you’re offered the position, we will have you start as soon as you are able – why wait?

We know every single person brings something different to the table. We encourage you to show your personality and demonstrate your skills in your cover letter. 

• Please send your cover letter and resume in a single PDF document to info@libraryfoundation.ca. 
• The subject line of the email should read “Senior Development Officer”

This posting will be open until we find the right person for our team, but don’t delay – we will start contacting top candidates right away. 

Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We value diversity and inclusion and welcome diverse expertise and talent to support an innovative and collaborative work environment. We are committed to a respectful and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including people of all gender identities, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. We are happy to provide reasonable accommodations throughout the selection process, if required, please advise when you are contacted for an interview.