Development Officer, Grants & Government Relations

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) is a charitable, cultural organization and is Canada’s largest and longest-running celebration of words and ideas. With a full-time staff of 14, TIFA’s offices and main programming spaces are located at Harbourfront Centre, internationally renowned for its programming in the arts, culture and recreation across a stunning 10-acre site at the heart of Toronto’s waterfront.

TIFA’s vision is to inspire, empower and connect through the art of stories. We do this through literary festivals, programmes, and events that bring together people of all ages (virtually or in person) to celebrate books, stories, authors and artists with a breadth of bold, ambitious, accessible and engaging literary experiences from Toronto, Canada and around the world. TIFA champions the best of Canadian and international publishing generating conversations, partnerships and collaborations, and fosters new thinking about what it means to be living in today’s world. The year-round programme includes our 11-day flagship Festival each September, the MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival (launched in June 2022), Toronto Lit UP an annual programme spotlighting Toronto writers, TIFA Book Club, plus a year-round programme of events, projects and partnerships.

Under the dynamic leadership of Roland Gulliver, TIFA has embarked on a range of strategic and creative ambitions, working with diverse audiences and communities, building strong partnerships and connections with community leaders and organizations at city; alongside presenting some of the best authors and artists from around the world. It’s an exciting time to join our evolving organization and growing team.

We are currently seeking a driven, strategic, passionate and goal-oriented Development Officer, Grants & Government Relations to effectively manage TIFA’s fund development strategy as it relates to grants and government funding (municipal, provincial, federal, and international). This role works in a consulting manner with the leadership team on strategic implementation, budgeting, forecasting and goal setting. Additionally, it  maintains long-term stakeholder relations, building new partnerships and raising awareness about TIFA’s innovative and unique programming and organizational success.

 

Position Title: Development Officer, Grants & Government Relations

Reporting To: Head of Development (TIFA)

Type of Employment: Full-time, 35 hours per week

Location: Toronto

 

Duties

• Keep abreast of the priorities and focus of granting bodies and the details of eligibility requirements, monitoring funding agency announcements and changes in funding related policies.
• Conduct research to identify new grant and/or partnership opportunities.
• Author grant proposals (project and multi-year), reports and information briefs or presentations.
• Liaise with TIFA staff to produce project/ operational budgets and financial projections as they apply to grants.
• Gather, monitor and analyze program outcomes and associated performance measures, including trends, issues, gaps and statistics for short/ long-term planning, reporting purposes and strategic decision-making.
• Review and negotiate grant agreements, when applicable.
• Participate in fund development, policy and sector-wide workshops and seminars.
• Keep abreast with trends in the arts and culture industry and municipal, provincial, federal, and international cultural policies.
• Assist in the preparation of an annual plan of measurable goals and strategies and the preparation of annual budgets, forecasts and analyzing variances.
• Liaise with community stakeholders and regional/ provincial/ federal and international partners and government agencies to raise programme and organization awareness.
• Maintain and manage communication with key international partners (Consulates, Embassies, international cultural organizations, etc.).
• Oversee partnership acknowledgement requirements, making sure that these are met.
• Act as a key contact for all matters related to grant administration and management.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with internal and external stakeholders, funders, and partners.
• Assist with the preparation and execution of events as required and attend special events as directed.
• Assist with other event related work as required.

Requirements

• University degree in Arts and Culture, Not-for Profit Management and Administration preferred.
• Experience in grant writing in the not-for-profit community.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• A strong sense of tact and diplomacy to professionally interact with funders, programming and media partners, internal and external stakeholders, volunteers, and audience members.
• Knowledge of the arts and culture sector and granting bodies at the municipal, provincial and federal levels is an asset
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and database management; knowledge of the CADAC system is an asset
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends on occasion and as required.
• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Non-Canadian applicants must have a valid employment Visa and proper documentation authorizing their ability to work in Canada.
• This role is based in Toronto.  The incumbent must be able to work at our downtown location. A hybrid work model might be considered.
•  TIFA recognizes its heightened duty to protect employees from health and safety risks during the current pandemic. As such, an offer of employment shall be conditional on proof of full COVID-19 vaccination with a vaccine series approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization.

Apply

---

Our Values

Open
We’re friendly, welcoming and inclusive, with an experimental attitude that thrives on collaboration.

Brave
To achieve our bold ambition we empower and support imaginative risk and we always try to learn from our mistakes.

Rigorous
We are committed to excellence in all we do, ensuring every visitor encounter is safe, memorable and enriching.

Kind
We value and respect each other and all our visitors, celebrating difference and striving to realise potential.

How To Apply

TIFA values and is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in our teams, creative communities, programmes and services. We invite qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Acceptable applications must include a current resume and a cover letter outlining the qualifications and experience that you would bring to the position.

Qualified applicants can submit their candidacy by contacting jobs@harbourfrontcentre.com by no later than November 23, 2022. Please quote TIFA -Development Officer, Grants & Government Relations in the subject line of the application.

We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted. Suitable accommodations will be available upon request during the hiring process.