Head of Development - Immediate Start

We are hiring an organized Head of Development to join our growing team at Cape Town Opera in Cape Town, Western Cape.
Growing your career as a Full Time Head of Development is an amazing opportunity to develop excellent skills.
If you are strong in cooperation, leadership and have the right initiative for the job, then apply for the position of Head of Development at Cape Town Opera today!

Position overview

Cape Town Opera is seeking a head of development – a dynamic fundraiser - to join its tight-knit team. The role involves identifying and soliciting donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and trusts. The head of development will use initiative and expert communication skills to identify fundraising opportunities, develop relationships with potential donors and manage fundraising campaigns. 

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, professional, organised, creative, good at research and excellent at networking. Cape Town Opera is looking for someone who believes in the mission of the Company and who has exceptional drive for furthering our fundraising efforts as well as strategising and delivering on new ones.

Application procedure

The position is full-time, salaried (non-commission basis) and will be based at Cape Town Opera’s offices at the Artscape Theatre Centre, Cape Town. 

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, 1 March 2023. The anticipated start date for the position is 1 April 2023. 

Please submit: 

1. A covering letter detailing your specific interest in and skills applicable to the position;
2. Your CV, along with three contactable references; 
3. A brief overview of your approach to fundraising; creative fundraising ideas you have implemented in the past; and proposed solutions to fundraising challenges you have identified. You may choose any format in which to present your overview.  

Applications should be sent via email to View email address on bizcommunity.com; all information will be kept confidential. 

Cape Town Opera celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all employees.

Cape Town Opera reserves the right not to make an appointment.

REQUIREMENTS

Applicant requirements

The ideal applicant possesses the following:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent;
• Experience in fundraising, communications, or a related field such as sales and marketing;
• Exemplary communication and relationship-building skills;
• Exemplary command of English;
• Outgoing, yet poised personality;
• Excellent negotiation and persuasion skills;
• Resourcefulness, tenacity and ability to think creatively; 
• Keen interest in and ability to research effectively;
• Ability to lead and motivate colleagues and volunteers;
• Excellent organisational and administrative abilities and attention to detail;
• Numerate, with a strong grasp of budgets and cash flows;
• Access to individual/foundation/trust/corporate networks an advantage; 
• Knowledge of and/or interest in the performing arts would be an advantage.

Additional requirements:

• Ability and willingness to work nights, weekends and holidays as required;
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally as required;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; 
• Must be legally able to work in South Africa.

Applicant responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the head of development are:

• Raise funds for Cape Town Opera that regularly meet or surpass fundraising targets; 
• Increase the donor pool by building upon existing donor relationships and forming new donor relationships on a regular basis;
• Effectively convey the organisation’s mission, vision and impact to potential donors, including brand awareness of Cape Town Opera;
• Strategise and successfully execute fundraising campaigns;
• Brainstorm and implement new methods to raise funds for Cape Town Opera;
• Research and implement strategies to maximise government grants available for skills development and job creation; 
• Research potential donors to gain insight into needs, beliefs and donation habits to understand how to position Cape Town Opera to them, with an emphasis on developing mutually beneficial long-term relationships; 
• Create materials for fundraising pitches;
• Write accurate and engaging funding proposals, applications and reports and manage a timeline of submission/reporting dates;
• Ensure the proper implementation of grant requirements;
• Assist in maintaining complete and orderly records of donors and managing regular donor communications;
• Collaborate with other organizations and groups to build partnerships and enhance fundraising activities;
• Prepare and present fundraising reports to Cape Town Opera's management team and board of directors;
• Stay informed about trends and best practices in fundraising and philanthropy.

Key performance indicators

The successful applicant will fulfil the following:

1. Meet or exceed on an annual basis the funding requirements of Cape Town Opera;
2. Maintain the donor retention rate and increase the number of donors; 
3. Maintain excellent and mutually beneficial relationships with donors;  
4. Maintain healthy, productive relationships with staff, ad-hoc personnel and company stakeholders.

Benefits of working as a Head of Development in Cape Town, Western Cape:

● Learning opportunities
● Opportunities to grow
● Attractive package