Community Program Specialist
About the Calgary Stampede Foundation
The Calgary Stampede Foundation provides young people with opportunities to discover and pursue their passions through programs like The Young Canadians School of Performing Arts, Calgary Stampede Showband, Band of Outriders and Calgary Stampede Showriders. These programs teach valuable skills and allow the opportunity to perform around the world. The Stampede’s state-of-the-art youth campus offers best practice learning, training and performing facilities for these programs.
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 2023, 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.
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.
Position Summary and Overview
The community program specialist is a member of the SAM Centre Exhibits & Experience Team, reporting to the manager, exhibits & experience, this role is responsible for the creation and execution of all community programming areas including: public programs and activations, special events, digital programs and corporate programs at SAM Centre. Core responsibilities include program design and development, stakeholder relationships and team leadership.
The community program specialist is a public-facing team member with strong supervisory, programming, evaluation and community engagement experience. The community program specialist 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
Responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:
Development & Design
- Research and develop new community programs.
- Research and create new programs for new and existing exhibits.
- Innovative program design, developing strategies to enrich learning, engagement, long term impact, community connection and fun at SAM Centre.
- Foster community partnerships that facilitate co-created programs and contribute to a sense of belonging through SAM’s programs.
- Establish and implement ongoing program evaluation and improvement processes, utilizing community collaboration and focusing on delivering a best practice programming environment.
Program Delivery
- Design, co-create and enthusiastically deliver SAM mission-aligned programs that promote exceptional visitor experience.
- Create an engaging and interactive environment, fostering curiosity, learning, critical thinking, and meaningful connections, preparing youth as spirited citizens.
- Ensure safety and well-being of guests to SAM, employees and volunteers.
Leadership
- Recruit, train, and oversee SAM program facilitators including volunteers, strategically developing talent, and providing direction and leadership.
- Cultivate and forge positive relationships with key stakeholders in the community.
Coordination
- Collaborate with CS and SAM Centre colleagues to develop, market and implement the community programs.
- In alignment with the rest of the exhibits & experience team, support website content development, reporting, creation of program materials, and participant communications.
- Budget development, accountability and maximization.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be proactive, optimistic and have worked in a dynamic environment where they have experience delivering on multiple priorities and will hold the following qualifications:
- 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in the delivery of professional cultural programs in museum, educational or cultural organizations.
- Confident public speaking and excels at connecting with audiences of all ages, interests and abilities.
- Familiar with audience learning styles and adept at building programs to meet the needs of different audiences, interests and availability.
- Curious and quick learner, as the topics and themes explored through program development will be diverse.
- Motivated, self-starter who can work well independently and within a team.
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, 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 is an asset.
- Post-secondary diploma or associates degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
To apply, please submit your resume online recruiting.ultipro.
All applicants are thanked in advance and only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
