POSTED: August 18, 2021
APPLY BY: September 1, 2021
LOCATION: Edmonton, AB.
HOURS: Part-Time, 20 hrs./week
SALARY: $17,082 ($20.91/hr)
CONTRACT: 9 months, with possibility of renewal and renegotiation

The Public Relations and Fund Development Specialist is an important part of a small team working closely together to promote Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre’s (WWPT’s) professional theatre programming. The position encompasses public relations, communications, marketing, fundraising, and sponsorship acquisition duties. We are looking to hire an individual who is a strategic thinker with meticulous attention to detail, working well under pressure to meet deadlines. You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to multitask and adapt in a fast-paced environment. To ensure success, the Public Relations and Fund Development Specialist should be innovative, organized, and self-motivated with a keen interest and knowledge of the performing arts, preferably of Edmonton’s theatre community, and be well-versed in the non-profit sector.

As our Public Relations and Fund Development Specialist, you will be working in collaboration with our Artistic Producer and Operations Manager, reporting directly to the Artistic Producer of WWPT. This is a part-time position (20 hours per week) and our expectations will be commensurate with the terms of this contract. Dialogue involving priorities and outcomes within the parameters of the engagement will be ongoing to ensure the goals of the position remain realistic to ensure our mutual success. This position may expand in future years according to the candidate’s unique skill set, with the possibility of increasing hours and remuneration as WWPT grows.

WWPT strives to be a welcoming and inclusive environment. We are a small, collaborative team, and this allows for each staff member to have a voice and be heard. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions gained from your work experience, education, culture, ethnicity, nationality, and gender identity.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

PUBLIC RELATIONS/COMMUNICATIONS

• Develop and implement a communication strategy that includes newsletters, website and social media content creation, creation of targeted social media campaigns, as well as media outreach, with the goal of supporting the growth of our audience development and the promotion of our artists and events.
• Research and write press releases, create and generate text and video content for the company website, as well as infographics, blogs, and newsletters.
• Keep up to date with relevant developments in the theatre sector.
• Stay on top of social media trends and engage with emerging platforms.
• Liaise with the media, pitching stories and coordinating coverage including interviews, media calls and press conferences.
• Ensure that WWPT produces high-quality and error-free content and communications.
• Collaborate with WWPT’s management to establish approaches and strategies to support the company’s mission, mandate, and programming.
• Support and evaluate results of communication campaigns with the team.
• Build and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders to build the profile of the company.

MARKETING

• Develop and implement a marketing strategy that includes newsletter, website, and social media content creation, as well as strategic paid advertising, to build WWPT’s audiences and promote our programming locally and nationally.
• Coordinate advertisement content and purchases applying strategic decisions to make the most the resources available in the marketing budget for online, digital, and print advertisements.
• Oversee the creation of marketing collateral that delivers a clear brand message, ensuring the effective implementation of timelines across channels.
• Organize, produce, and coordinate targeted mail-outs, and other marketing campaigns.
• Demonstrate excellent composition skills, designing content (layout, graphic design, etc.)

FUND DEVELOPMENT

• Identify and implement a platform for donor stewardship management.
• Work closely with an internal team, as well as external clients, donors, and various members of the community.
• Work towards reaching sponsorship targets, as established in the organization’s annual operating budget.
• Develop the case for philanthropic support in collaboration with WWPT’s board and management.
• Develop a comprehensive multi-year fund development plan that includes a mix of strategies including an annual campaign, revenue goals, and action plans.
• Monitor and track progress on the fund development plan. Participate in problem-solving to achieve objectives and targets.
• Network, liaise and form partnerships with businesses and other non-profit organizations.
• Ensure that all donors are welcomed, honoured, thanked and recognized in a timely and appropriate manner.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

• At least one (1) year professional experience in communications, marketing, public relations, fund development/fundraising, or a related field (essential), ideally in a non¬profit environment
• Current knowledge and understanding of Edmonton’s theatre and performing arts sector
• Knowledge of the small non-profit, charitable sector
• Exhibit a positive attitude with strong interpersonal and organizational skills, including collaboration and proactivity, to inspire and lead internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including proof-reading and adaptation of tone to suit specific circumstances
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Familiarity with video editing software, Vimeo, Canva, Squarespace, MailChimp, Google Ads, and a clear understanding of SEO.
• Enjoys a fast passed environment, thriving with changing circumstances and meets tight deadlines
• Highly computer literate with proficiency in MS Office, and related business and communication tools
• Content writing experience for all media platforms
• Proven social media and networking expertise
• Strategic and creative mindset

HOW TO APPLY:
Send a cover letter and CV in one PDF document to ap@workshopwest.org with “Public Relations and Fund Development” in the subject line.

APPLY BY:
The deadline for applications is 11:59 pm MST on Wednesday, September 1st, 2021.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Interviews will take place in-person early to mid-September 2021.
Short-listed applicants will be asked to draft a media release and social media post.

ABOUT WWPT:
Now in its 43rd season, WWPT is unique in Edmonton and in Alberta. We are the only arts organization specifically committed and dedicated to supporting and developing the work of Canadian playwrights from the inception of their first ideas through to the full professional production of their work on Edmonton stages. We offer an array of programming which seeks out, supports, hones, and ultimately breathes life into new Canadian writing. Serving Edmonton writers as a priority, WWPT empowers Canadian artists and the Canadian voice. WWPT was the first Alberta theatre to dedicate itself solely to new Canadian writing and it remains one of very few producing theatre companies in Canada to retain the mandate of developing and producing Canadian work as its sole focus.