Community Program Developer
The Calgary Stampede Foundation is seeking a full-time, seasonal community program developer for the new Sam Centre opening in 2024.
About the Calgary Stampede Foundation
The Calgary Stampede Foundation supports youth of Alberta by providing dynamic programming and inspiring spaces to enhance their leadership skills, personal growth, creativity and education. Our vibrant and welcoming campus connects arts, heritage and education, working with community leaders and philanthropists to ensure our western legacy is preserved for future generations.
As an organization that exists for the benefit of the community, inclusion and equity are woven into our core values of western hospitality, pride of place, integrity and commitment to the community. The world-class, year-round gathering place we have built for the community also welcomes visitors from around the world and those who are new to the local community. We know that blending diverse cultures with our long-standing traditions makes community spirit thrive.
About the Sam Centre
For over 100 years the Calgary Stampede has been the heart and soul of our city. It is both where and how we come together to celebrate our unique brand of western hospitality and community spirit. As we embark on the next chapter of our story, we will deliver exceptional experiences that entertain, educate and engage visitors. We will build inspired spaces to bring our community together to celebrate, and we will further energize the brand that has come to define our city. Our vision is to create a world-class, year-round gathering place for the community.
In 2024, the Calgary Stampede Foundation will open Sam Centre, a year-round immersive experience that offers an intimate look at the rich history of the Stampede and its role in our community. Sam is anchored in the peoples, stories and artifacts of the Calgary Stampede. It will engage and excite guests in Calgary’s Stampede story through immersive, interactive, story-driven experiences that put our guests at the centre of the action.
Position Summary and Overview
The community program developer is a member of the Sam Centre exhibits & experience team, reporting to the community program specialist, exhibits & experience. This role is responsible for supporting the detailed design and program pilots of all community programming areas including: public programs and activations, special events, digital programs and corporate programs at Sam Centre. Core responsibilities include program detailed design, programming materials ideation, program pilots and compiling content.
The community program developer is a public-facing team member with a guest-orientated and growth mindset, supportive of creative detailed program design, and willing to work a flexible schedule including weekends and occasional evenings and holidays. The community program developer role is for a person who may be: passionate about culture, theatre, the arts, history; is a natural storyteller, an artist or actor, an interpreter or historian.
The community program developer is committed to Indigenous partnerships, accessibility, community engagement, anti-racism, and a guest experience philosophy that believes that the guest and storytelling are at the heart of decision-making. At its heart, this role is about integrating the Sam Centre into our community and expanding our reach.
Responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:
Program Design
- Under the guidance of the community program specialist, research and innovate detailed program design to enrich learning, engagement, long term impact, community connection and fun that bring the Calgary Stampede stories to life in the at Sam Centre (opening in 2024).
- Design a range of experiences such as maker spaces, guided tours, scavenger hunts, crafts, activities, demonstrations and games for specific audiences including families, seniors, youth, newcomers, refugees, tourists, convention visitors, corporate groups and adults.
- Support community partnerships that facilitate co-created programs and contribute to a sense of belonging through Sam’s programs
- Support the ongoing program evaluation and improvement processes, utilizing community collaboration and focusing on delivering a best practice programming environment.
- Assist with special events ideation and detailed program design.
- Assist with digital programing including content, filming and supporting materials.
- Assist in preparing materials and communications for internal and external stakeholders; writing, editing, proofreading, creation of manuals and building relevant content libraries.
- Provide support for special projects as assigned.
Growth Mindset:
- Participate in training related to the field of historical and cultural interpretation including understanding visitor experience, public speaking skills, audience orientated programming including participatory and dialogue interpretation, thematic experiences, western hospitality and more.
- Utilize a variety of evaluation tools to adjust and improve programs.
- Adjust detailed design based on feedback from peers and the community program specialist.
Program Delivery:
- Co-create and enthusiastically deliver Sam mission-aligned programs that promote exceptional visitor experience during program pilots.
- Create an engaging and interactive environment, fostering curiosity, learning, critical thinking and meaningful connections, and preparing youth as spirited citizens.
- Ensure safety and well-being of guests to Sam, employees and volunteers.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be proactive, optimistic and have worked in a dynamic environment and will hold the following qualifications:
- High school diploma mandatory, preference may be given to candidates who have some postsecondary education, training, or experience in a related field such as, but not limited to: history, museum science, theater, arts, entertainment, rodeo, agriculture, informal or formal education, or interpretation.
- Creative, curious and quick learner with a growth mindset. The topics and themes explored through program development will be diverse with the approach of continually improving.
- Confident or interested in public speaking; able to connect with audiences of all ages, interests and abilities.
- Motivated, self-starter who can work well independently and within a team.
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications including MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher, Outlook and Explorer.
- Basecamp is an asset.
- Ability to set priorities, balance demands of multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Proven track record of working cooperatively with a broad range of individuals.
- Knowledge of an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning and/or interpretive theory and techniques such as storytelling, demonstration, theatre programs, dialogue, participatory experiences and guided walks is an asset.
- Asset to have experience or interest in theatre, the Young Canadians, the Showband, teaching, interpretation, games, history, the arts, rodeo and agriculture, or relevant traditional knowledge.
Other assets: Multilingual, Pinterest craft lover.
For more information and to apply, visit recruiting.ultipro.com.
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter.
All applicants are thanked in advance and only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
