Job Title: Program and Fund Development Coordinator
Location: Calgary (Hybrid)
Reports To: Executive Director of the Writers’ Guild of Alberta.
Salary: $47,500 starter salary
Start Date: November 16, 2026
Hours: 35 hours a week (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM MT)
Periodic travel, evening, and weekend work in Calgary and around Alberta is required.
Employees are responsible for their own transportation.
Deadline: October 28, 2026
Job Overview
The Program and Fund Development Coordinator is the community connector between the Calgary and rural Southern Alberta literary community and the larger WGA community, as well as the steward for WGA’s donors and sponsors. The Coordinator designs and delivers programs and services in keeping with the mission and strategic plan of the Writers’ Guild of Alberta, and strategies and activities to increase awareness and engagement of the WGA in the community. The Coordinator also builds and maintains relationships with potential sponsors, donors, and community partners that could increase resources to the WGA, and maintains stewardship.
Job Description
The Program and Fund Development Coordinator is responsible for:
Program and Events Design and Planning
- Organize and host monthly social events for literary community in Calgary.
- Organize and host annual finalist reading events in Calgary for the Alberta Literary Awards and the City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize.
- Organize and host annual writing retreats.
- Develop and execute other literary programs and events as needed by the community for Calgary and Southern Alberta rural locations. Programs and events may be in-person or online and may include readings and open mics, discussion groups, annual holiday party, professional development workshops, and panel discussions.
- Recruit, contract and supervise artists to present at programs and events.
- Support planning and execution of annual conferences and award galas.
- Work collaboratively with the wider literary community and identify new opportunities and partnerships.
Relationship and Community Building
- Foster a supportive literary community at programs, events, and other community interactions.
- Establish and nurture relationships with sponsors, donors, and other organizations/individuals in the wider literary community.
- Participate as the WGA representative on community committees where appropriate, such as When Words Collide Festival.
- Reach out to potential partners, including rural contacts such as libraries and schools, to collaborate on events and expand programming beyond main city centres.
- Attend literary events in the community beyond WGA events as appropriate, including those where there is promotional opportunity for the WGA.
- Be WGA ambassador for literary community and direct members and interested parties to resources and support as appropriate.
Fund Development
- Work with Executive Director to develop and review fund development and stewardship strategies for the year.
- Maintain relationships and stewardship with current major donors and sponsors, including Alberta Literary Awards sponsors.
- Manage and grow a portfolio of funding prospects including private donors, corporations, foundations, and grants.
- Create and execute personalized proposals and stewardship plans for sponsors and donors.
- Work with Communications Coordinator and implement specific fundraising campaigns, including for the WordsWorth youth writing camp and the WGA endowment fund.
- Write and submit grant applications as needed.
Qualifications
The Program and Fund Development Coordinator should demonstrate ability in the following:
- Relationship Building: Track record of building and maintaining relationships that lead to funding, partnerships, or shared resources. Able to establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization, including advancing equity and diversity where needed.
- Programming and Event Management: Strategic and creative planner with experience planning, managing, and hosting successful events.
- Organizational Skills: Able to independently set priorities, develop a work schedule, deliver programs and fund development initiatives according to schedule, and follow WGA standard operating procedures for administrative details including (but not limited to) contracts, agreements, expenses, and marketing.
- Communicate Effectively: Strong written and speaking communication skills. Proficient in English, both written and spoken. Able to communicate and coordinate effectively with remote team.
- Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique programs and strategies according to evolving needs of the WGA and literary community.
- Fiscal Responsibility: Be able to deliver programs and events within assigned budgets. Familiarity with nonprofit arts budgeting is an asset.
- Technology: Proficiency in the use of computers for word processing, spreadsheets, email, and video conferencing.
- Knowledge of the Alberta Literary Community:
Familiarity with writers and current literary activities in Calgary and Southern Alberta. Knowledge of WGA’s activities across Alberta and larger Canadian literary world is an asset.
Post-secondary education in a related field with at least three years of work experience is recommended. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Terms & Conditions of Employment
Terms: This position is an annual term, to be reviewed and confirm renewal by October 1 of each year.
Location: Based in Calgary and area. Work is primarily remote, but presence at events in Calgary area is required. Periodic travel, evening, and weekend work in Calgary and around Alberta is required. Employees are responsible for their own transportation.
Benefits: GroupSource Employee group benefits, starting at the end of a three-month probation period.
Vacation: Starting at 10 vacation days per year, as well as the days between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and all Statutory Holidays. Approved overtime is provide in time off in lieu.
How to Apply
Please send resumé and cover letter to [email protected] by October 28, 2026. Please include “Program and Fund Development Coordinator Application” in your subject line.
We wish to express our appreciation to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. However, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
