Job Title

Development Associate, Stewardship & Special Events Temporary Full-Time (35 hours per week; Flexibility in hours of work to allow participation at special events, committee meetings and selected Development division events; occasional weekend and evening hours required) ART + AUDIENCE + LEARNING Located in Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, attracting approximately one million visitors annually. The AGO Collection of more than 120,000 works of art ranges from cutting-edge contemporary art to significant works by Indigenous and Canadian artists and European masterpieces. AGO Values: Respect: We foster belonging and appreciate each other. Openness: We interact with an open mind and thoughtful engagement. Collaboration: We believe in the power of together. Accountability: We own our actions and outcomes. We are currently seeking a Temporary Full-Time Development Associate, Stewardship & Special Events to join our Development team. Under the direction of the Senior Manager, Stewardship & Special Events, the incumbent will assist in developing the supporter engagement strategy designed to meaningfully connect our various donor groups with the AGO''s mission and vision through extraordinary art and learning; to encourage a sense of belonging, value and community; and to inspire generous giving and loyalty over time. This position supports revenue generation activity within the Development Division through development and execution of the AGO''s annual fundraising event program and Development cultivation and stewardship events/initiatives including but not limited to tours, receptions, dinners, an art-travel program and all fundraising events. The Development Associate, Stewardship & Special Events must liaise effectively with internal AGO departments, leadership volunteers, sponsors, and donors on a regular basis. As a member of the Development team, this role contributes to realizing the AGO''s mission and our vision to lead global conversations from Toronto through extraordinary collections, exhibitions and programs and by reflecting the people who live here. The AGO is also taking steps to build our capacity to actively work on addressing issues of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility in our galleries, programming and workplace. We have embedded diversity and inclusion into our strategic plan and ongoing priorities and all AGO staff contributions are key to achieving these goals. The rate of pay for this position is $ $45.61 per hour. What is this position responsible for? Strategy Development: With the Manager, develops stewardship and cultivation strategies, project plans and critical paths Engagement Planning, Programming Development and Coordination: Executes established action plans related to the Development stewardship program and the broader Development strategy. Under the Manager''s guidance, conceives and develops annual programming plans, executing stewardship and cultivation initiatives for various donor groups designed to achieve objectives determined by the Philanthropy team. These may include, but are not limited to, digital or live events, tours, collection and studio visits, content production, donor travel etc. Under the manager''s direction, supports and executes action plans for all fundraising events to coordinate logistics such as artist projects, entertainment, guest speakers, dcor, menu, marketing and promotion (advertisements, invitations, website, social media etc.), guest list and event registration and invoicing. Works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to coordinate the logistics of each initiative, which may include, theme development, content development, talent coordination, food and beverage, security, communications, invitation management, RSVP tracking, building operations and financial management. Coordinates appropriate internal and external contacts and development colleagues for program execution. Maintains records of final attendance in database. Works in collaboration with the Coordinator, Special Events to execute stewardship and cultivation initiatives, as assigned. Project Management: Working with the Manager and AGO Senior staff across the museum, supports and executes the donor travel program. Oversees program logistics which may include but are not limited to: budget management, liaising with internal and external parties (institutions, foundations, artists, collectors, etc.) to establish travel itineraries, prepare and deliver timely program communications, provide to support to AGO staff attending each trip, invoicing, organize post-trip debriefs, and track overall program metrics of success. Communication: With the Manager, oversees copy related to stewardship and cultivation events and initiatives to be used in various planned communications to donors including, but not limited to, event invitations, Director''s Office communications and e-newsletters to ensure that the cadence of communication is appropriate and to mitigate any potential redundancies. Drafts and distributes event invitations, follow-ups, and communications to various donor groups, as required. Drafts run sheets and briefing documents and other written materials as assigned. Uses tools such as MailChimp to deploy all planned donor communications and acts as a final checkpoint to ensure flawless execution (checking creative, conducting a final proof etc.) Administration: Participates in the Development Division relationship management system. Uses Tessitura to make updates to constituent records, track prospects, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities. Participates in department budget development, planning and policy review as well as setting priorities and timelines. Attends divisional meetings. Provides general administrative support such as recording of minutes, follow-up on action items, document preparation, coordinating special mailings, filing, sending of courier packages, faxing, photocopying, etc. What are we looking for? A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in project management, content development, event management or programming Demonstrated experience in seeing projects through from strategy to execution and measurement Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience in writing donor/sponsor correspondence as well as developing and delivering presentations to high-profile audiences Well-developed interpersonal and public relations skills to interface with senior stakeholders, sponsors, donors, senior volunteers, artists and AGO staff Demonstrated knowledge of fundraising and sponsorship best practices and trends Experience with the visual arts and well developed understanding of the local arts community and global art trends Experience working with and managing numerous stakeholders Strong interpersonal skills and presentation skills Knowledge of and ability to maintain professional standards Demonstrated knowledge and experience in applicable computer programs and donor databases such as Tessitura, Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer, and PowerPoint. What are the benefits of working at the AGO? Discounts to GoodLife Fitness. Free tickets to every major exhibit at AGO. Discounts to major attractions as a part of the Provincial/City Reciprocal Programs. Free admission to the AGO for friends and family, discounts at the gift shop, bistro, and Learning Centre. If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, apply now Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility: At the AGO, we lead global conversations from Toronto through extraordinary collections, exhibitions, and programs, reflecting the diverse community we serve. Committed to fostering inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, we embed these values into our strategic plan and ongoing priorities. To Apply: Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and qualifications online at We thank all applicants for their interest in the position; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Our Applicant Tracking System (ATS) uses AI features to support efficiency and consistency, but all hiring decisions are made by our managers and HR team. The Art Gallery of Ontario is an Equal Opportunity Employer.