Vancouver Opera

Position: Manager, Major Gifts & Events Reports to: Director of Development Liaises with: Board of Directors; General Director; Development team; staff; volunteers; contractors Vancouver Opera Vancouver Opera creates extraordinary experiences that engage, inspire, and entertain our community through voice, music, and theatre. Vancouver Opera is regarded worldwide for its fine mainstage productions; for its country-leading education programs, which have reached more than 1.6 million children and their families in more than 65 years; for its innovative and award-winning community programs; and for ground-breaking cross-cultural creative partnerships that have brought opera to generations of Canadians. SUMMARY We are currently seeking a strategic and results-driven Manager of Major Gifts & Events to join our team and to support the planning and execution of major gift fundraising. You like to work on your own with input from a team when needed. You are highly results-driven and love to own your own strategies and outcomes. You understand the donor cycle, relationship building, and are an excellent communicator. You have a passion for the performing arts. You are a collaborative and enthusiastic team player. In this position, you will be responsible for raising Major Gift revenue for Vancouver Opera productions and programs by securing gifts from current and new individual donors. You will work closely with a small but mighty team to ensure that financial goals are met. You will own the Major Gifts and Special Events funding pillars, collaborating with your Director and fellow development managers to ensure alignment across funding areas. You are self-motivated, responsible, and driven — with a great attitude and a spirit of teamwork and hospitality. You are our top donors’ point person, and are always willing to go the extra mile for the people who support us the most. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Planning

• Develop and implement annual solicitation strategies for assigned major donors that will meet yearly goals as set out in the annual service plan

• Manage VO’s top 100 to 150 major donors each year, bringing in Director of Development and/or General Director on key relationship building opportunities as appropriate

• Develop and implement strategies to increase revenue of major gift giving among existing and potential donors and partners including establishing a detailed annual plan to engage and cultivate prospects utilizing a moves management system

• Support major gifts fundraising planning, budgeting, and reporting

Solicitation

• Create tailored asks for key major donors/prospects based on giving history, preference, and information gathered through research and personal contact

• Oversee the solicitation of all assigned major donors in your portfolio to maximize potential returns and complete solicitations on a timely basis to ensure revenue targets are met

• Forge relationships with donors and sow the seeds for annual donors to perpetuate their giving through planned gifts

• Complete moves management activity that results in retention and migration of current portfolio

Stewardship

• Stewardship of major gift donors through the natural giving cycle by creating relationships and engaging them in Vancouver Opera’s mission

• Create inventive recognition approaches that celebrate major donors

• Provide excellent donor service and appropriate recognition for donations

• Implement creative strategies and quality stewardship that inspires donors to make multi-year commitment and/or stretch gifts

Events

• Oversee the planning and execution of our annual gala held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

• Work closely with contract event planners, production management, and other vendors to ensure smooth coordination and seamless execution

• Work with the Gala Committee to curate the event, secure table sales, auction prizes and sponsorships

• Oversee the planning and execution of other events for major donors throughout our season, including dinners, home concerts, and receptions

Development Committee

• Support the Director of Development in the preparation of materials for the Development Committee, and appear before the committee from time to time to give updates on Major Gifts and Special Events fundraising

Administration

• Ensure timely acknowledgement and receipting of all donations

• Ensure CRM is up to date with all donor activity and opportunities

• Regularly report on progress of campaign plan achievement and variances as requested ensuring timely communication to staff and major gift volunteers

• Other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS

• University or College degree in Business Management, Fundraising, or related discipline and a minimum 5 years’ progressive leadership experience in senior fundraising or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Ability to identify leadership giving opportunities

• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit to grow major gift program by moving quickly on opportunities

• Ability to articulate the mission and goals of Vancouver Opera to the community at large both verbally and in all forms of written communication

• Experience building consensus and achieving results in a complex business environment

• Ability to quickly build trust

• Exceptional interpersonal relationship skills with the ability to manage key relationships with donors, corporate partners, staff, and volunteers

• The ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, with great listening and empathy skills and a keen sense of diplomacy

• Resourceful and organized; able to manage competing priorities, complex situations and deadlines

• Proven ability to influence with integrity and to work independently

• Flexibility in hours to accommodate various meetings and events with staff, volunteers, and donors is required

• Ability to travel to meet with donors, volunteers, and stakeholders as needed

• Valid BC Driver’s License and access to vehicle is required

Schedule Regular office hours Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. A flexible work schedule is required during production times and for special events and activities including evenings and weekends. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to determine their on-site/work-from-home weekly schedule in collaboration with their Director, but on-site work will be required for the majority of the week. Vancouver Opera offers A dynamic team environment in an exciting cultural hub, we deliver amazing main stage productions, and exceptional education and community programming. Additionally, VO offers a competitive salary, group benefits, group RRSP matching program, and paid annual vacation. A competitive compensation package with a salary range of $75,000 – $80,000 commensurate with experience. How To Apply VO strives to provide meaningful employment opportunities, which reflect the range of diverse communities in which we live and work. Our vision is a resilient organizational culture, which is inclusive and diverse in all its aspects. Individual differences are not only accepted but are strongly valued and encouraged. We recognize that our diversity, the many different and unique things we individually and collectively bring to work each day, contributes to building a stronger workplace and healthier communities. VO welcomes and encourages applications from women, persons of colour, Indigenous persons, persons with diverse abilities, and members of other marginalized or under-represented groups. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to wmurgatroyd@vancouveropera.ca with the subject line “Manager, Major Gifts & Events”. Applicants are encouraged to apply ASAP, and interviews will be scheduled as applications are received.

Vancouver Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria are seeking a Stage Manager for a tour of our 2027 VOIS production to take place in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and Interior BC. This engagement is a co-production between Pacific Opera Victoria (POV) and Vancouver Opera (VOA). The VOA-CAEA Agreement – VOIS – will apply for this tour. Contract Dates: March 8 – May 16, 2027 (Potential Holdover to May 30, 2027) The ideal candidate will have a collaborative spirit, possess problem-solving skills under pressure, and be a true leader. Applicants should have confidence in stage management systems, be proficient in reading music, and demonstrate key leadership and organizational skills. Applicants should have experience working in opera or musical theatre, and be a team player who demonstrates a keen interest in building positive relationships with artists, production and music staff. The company, including the stage manager, will be expected to assist with take-in, set-up, strike, and take-out. Preference will be given to those holding an OFA Basic First Aid certificate and with a valid Driver’s License with a willingness to pursue a Class 4 Driver’s License. ABOUT VANCOUVER OPERA & PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA Vancouver Opera is the second largest opera company in Canada. It is regarded worldwide for its fine mainstage productions; for its country-leading education programs, which have reached more than 1.6 million children and their families in more than 40 years; for its innovative and award-winning community programs; and for forging ground-breaking cross-cultural creative partnerships that have brought opera to new generations of Canadians in recent history. Pacific Opera Victoria is one of the most influential professional opera companies in Canada. Our vision is for a world in which opera enriches the lives of everyone. Our mission is to create distinctive and inclusive opera experiences which inspire and engage artists and audiences. We deliver our mission with integrity and uncompromising adherence to our values: Quality, Leadership, Innovation, Collaboration, Learning, Inclusivity and Stewardship. For more information about Vancouver Opera or Pacific Opera, please visit our websites at www.vancouveropera.ca / www.pacificopera.ca HOW TO APPLY Vancouver Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria strive to provide meaningful employment opportunities, which reflect the range of diverse communities in which we live and work. We welcome and encourage applications from women, gender diverse persons, persons of colour, Indigenous persons, persons with diverse abilities, and members of other marginalized or under-represented groups. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to: Nicole Lamb, Vancouver Opera Director of Artistic & Production at nlamb@vancouveropera.ca with the subject line “VOIS Stage Manager” and your name. Deadline to apply is May 3, 2026 5pm. Responses to applications will be sent after the submission deadline has passed.

AUDITION CALL Vancouver Opera is holding Children’s Chorus Auditions for its Fall 2026 production of Tosca: Saturday, May 30, 2026 Audition Requirements: • Applicants must be 17 years of age or under as of November 1, 2026. • Prepare two (2) pieces: One in Italian, and one in English. Together, the selections should cover the range from B3 to E5 and demonstrate both chest voice and head voice. • Prepare a short spoken monologue (maximum 30 seconds) to introduce yourself. Tell us about your likes and dislikes, any stage experience, and any artistic or athletic interests you’d like to share. • A pianist will be provided. Please bring printed scores with you on the day of your audition. • Applicants must be residents of Canada and eligible to work in Canada. • Applicants may not be members of a professional performing artists’ union or association. Those who are members of professional performing artists’ unions or associations may inquire but must disclose their membership. Production Information: Tosca (Puccini) Conductor: Maestro Jacques Lacombe Director: Brenna Corner Performances (3): October 24, 29, November 1(m) All auditions will be held in person. Only in cases of illness will videos be accepted, due upon the audition date. How to Apply: Please submit your application here by May 3, 2026.

No hard copy submissions, No phone calls, please. You will be informed of your audition schedule before May 8, 2026. The Vancouver Opera and Equity are committed to the expansion of engagement opportunities for Artists who self-identify as diverse, so that all Artists may be included in the practice of opera, and our stages reflect the full diversity of Canadian society. Vancouver Opera operates under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Actors' Equity Association.