Founded in 1978, the Festival de Lanaudière is a major classical music institution in Canada. It brings together Quebec, Canadian, and international artists and ensembles in Joliette and various locations throughout the region for high-level programming, set in natural and heritage environments that contribute to a distinctive concert experience.

The Festival is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors with diverse expertise and networks, active in both the Greater Montreal area and the Lanaudière region. It also benefits from the support of a separate Foundation, whose mandate is primarily to receive, administer, and manage donations intended for the endowment, particularly those eligible for government matching programs. The Foundation currently holds approximately $5M in assets. It does not, however, take on a donor solicitation role.

As it approaches its 50th anniversary, the Festival is entering a new stage of development. With its artistic and organizational ambitions calling for significant diversification and revenue growth, philanthropy will play a central role in the coming years. The Festival has identified increased donations and private revenue as an essential lever for its long-term viability and growth.

It is within this context that the Festival is creating the position of Director of Philanthropic Development.

This is an opportunity to build and grow the philanthropic culture and activities of a renowned cultural institution while taking part in a defining moment in its history: the preparation and rollout of a $5M, 3-year major campaign tied to its 50th anniversary.

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a member of the leadership team, the Director of Philanthropic Development leads the Festival’s philanthropic strategy and ensures its implementation.

The mandate covers donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, for both the Festival’s annual operations and the endowment held by the Festival Foundation. They will be responsible for key philanthropic initiatives, including the annual campaign, the major campaign, the summer benefit gala, and other targeted, one-time, or recurring events.

The ideal candidate will have a dual role: building the strategy and being actively involved in the field.

The successful candidate will be responsible for structuring the Festival’s philanthropic practices, tools, and processes, as well as identifying prospects, initiating meetings, developing trusting relationships, and conducting direct solicitations. They will work closely with the Executive Director, who will actively participate in major donor outreach, as well as with the Chair and members of the Board of Directors.

The ambition is clear: to substantially grow the Festival’s recurring philanthropic revenue over the coming years while building a strong and sustainable culture of philanthropy.

Develop the philanthropic strategy

Develop and implement a philanthropic strategy aligned with the Festival’s strategic plan and ambitions.

Develop an annual development plan with financial goals, priorities, targeted approaches for different donor segments, and performance indicators.

Structure and evolve programs for individual giving, major gifts, foundations, planned giving, and the annual campaign.

Identify new development opportunities and grow the Festival’s philanthropic network.

Lead the 50th anniversary major campaign

Design and implement the strategy for the $5M three-year campaign.

Develop the campaign plan, case statements, and strategies for outreach and recognition.

Identify and qualify key prospects and participate directly in major solicitations.

Prepare and support the executive management, the chair, and board members in their development and solicitation efforts.

Collaborate with an external consulting firm as needed and contribute to the creation and management of a campaign committee.

Develop and maintain relationships

Create and maintain meaningful, long-term relationships with donors, major donors, prospects, and foundations.

Personally lead discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship meetings.

Develop recognition and engagement strategies tailored to different donor profiles.

Represent the Festival within relevant philanthropic, business, cultural, and community networks.

Mobilize the organization around philanthropy

Advise and support the executive management team in strategic philanthropic initiatives.

Prepare and facilitate the philanthropy committee on a quarterly basis.

Participate in board meetings and regularly present results and outlooks related to philanthropic development.

Support board members in activating their networks and philanthropic efforts.

Collaborate closely with the Festival’s various departments to integrate philanthropy into the organization’s overall experience.

Develop philanthropic activities

Lead the annual campaign strategy.

Contribute to the development of the benefit gala and other donor-focused events.

Develop communications and tools for solicitation, recognition, and donor retention.

Establish the processes and indicators necessary to track portfolio development and measure results.

You are as much a people person as you are a strategist.

You know that successful philanthropy is based on a deep understanding of an organization’s mission, but above all, on the ability to build authentic and lasting relationships with those who wish to contribute to it.

You are comfortable conversing with major donors, corporate executives, or board members. You know how to listen, understand motivations, seize opportunities, and gradually guide a relationship toward a solicitation.

You also possess the rigor required to transform this relational approach into a true strategy: segmentation, priorities, pipeline, tools, tracking, and performance measurement.

Your relationship-building credibility, political savvy, and ability to influence allow you to mobilize others without needing to take up all the space. You demonstrate initiative and an entrepreneurial spirit, and you take as much pleasure in building something as you do in achieving concrete results.

At least five years of relevant experience in philanthropy;

Demonstrated experience in donor development and solicitation;

Experience within a non-profit organization, including experience working with a board of directors.

Established professional network in philanthropic or business circles and the ability to expand it;

Relevant university degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience;

Excellent ability to build relationships with high-level stakeholders;

Professional proficiency in French and English, both spoken and written, given the need to maintain relationships with both Francophone and Anglophone donors and foundations;

Experience with a major fundraising campaign is a significant asset;

Experience in the cultural sector is an asset;

Knowledge of or interest in classical music is an asset.

Status: Permanent, full-time position

Primary location: Joliette Work model: Hybrid, with up to two days of remote work per week

Salary: $90,000 to $105,000, depending on experience

Vacation: 4 weeks, plus 2 paid weeks during the holiday season

Benefits: Group insurance plan

Desired start date: October 2026

The position requires occasional evening and weekend work, particularly during the Festival and for philanthropic activities. Travel to Montreal is also to be expected.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume along with a cover letter outlining their interest in the position to recrutement@lanaudiere.org no later than September 11, 2026.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for the next stage of the process will be contacted.