TELUS Spark Science Centre (Spark), a registered educational charity, exists to entertain and inspire people of all ages through creative encounters with science, engineering, technology, math and art. Spark exists to lift people up with the power of curiosity through creative encounters with science!
Calgary’s science centre is a pioneer in science entertainment and programming, with roots dating back to 1967. Home to one of Western Canada’s largest dome theatre, the Digital Immersion Gallery, VR experiences, and innovative spaces like Steven’s Lab, where interactive experiments unfold before your eyes. From the robot-dog Flint to Canada’s first robot-coa5ter, R05iE, and a 15-acre park surrounding the science of the developing brain, Spark is a hub for creative encounters
Position Overview
Spark is currently recruiting for a full-time, Campaign Manager, Keep Calgary Curious on a contract term basis of approximately three years. Reporting to the Senior Director, Advancement & External Relations, the Campaign Manager will lead the day-to-day implementation, coordination and administration of the private fundraising component of the Keep Calgary Curious campaign.
The position will help secure approximately $12 million to $20 million over three years from individuals, corporations and foundations. Government fundraising is outside the primary scope of this position.
Working from the campaign strategy developed with Spark’s campaign counsel, the Campaign Manager will help bring the strategy to life. They will translate campaign priorities into practical fundraising activity, evaluate progress and refine the execution approach as campaign opportunities evolve.
This is a hands-on role for a motivated frontline fundraiser who is energized by meeting people, opening doors, advancing relationships and securing major gifts. The Campaign Manager will manage a portfolio of prospects and personally undertake donor cultivation and solicitation activity. They will also assist in establishing and activating a Campaign Cabinet, coordinate campaign events and volunteer fundraising activity, and oversee the systems, reporting and administration required to maintain campaign momentum.
This is not a role focused on building and managing a large team. It is an opportunity for someone who wants to be directly involved in the work of fundraising while ensuring a complex and ambitious campaign is executed with discipline.
The role is based in Calgary, Alberta, and candidates need to be based in Calgary or willing to relocate to be considered. Regular local travel and occasional evening or weekend responsibilities will be required to support donor and campaign activity.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day implementation of the private fundraising strategy for the Keep Calgary Curious campaign.
- Work with the Senior Director, Advancement & External Relations and campaign counsel to evaluate and refine the campaign execution strategy as opportunities and results evolve.
- Translate campaign strategy into annual, quarterly and monthly fundraising priorities, work plans and activity.
- Manage an active portfolio of individual, corporate and foundation prospects capable of making significant campaign investments.
- Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift prospects using relationship-management and moves-management principles.
- Personally conduct donor meetings, presentations, tours, cultivation activities and gift solicitations.
- Develop individualized engagement and solicitation strategies for priority prospects.
- Prepare proposals, presentations, briefing notes, meeting materials and donor communications.
- Coordinate and support solicitations involving the President and CEO, Senior Director, Board members, Campaign Cabinet members and other campaign leaders.
- Assist in establishing, recruiting, onboarding and activating an influential Campaign Cabinet.
- Coordinate Campaign Cabinet meetings, agendas, materials, prospect assignments and follow-up activity.
- Prepare volunteers and organizational leaders for donor introductions, cultivation meetings and solicitations.
- Maintain campaign work plans, prospect lists, activity records, dashboards, forecasts and other campaign documentation.
- Monitor campaign activity and performance, identify challenges and opportunities, and recommend tactical adjustments.
- Prepare reports and campaign updates for organizational and volunteer leadership.
- Coordinate donor cultivation events, campaign announcements, milestone celebrations, behind-the-scenes experiences, tours and other engagement opportunities.
- Work with Advancement colleagues to provide thoughtful and timely donor recognition and stewardship.
- Partner with Marketing & Communications to support campaign messaging, materials, announcements and recognition.
- Collaborate with Finance and Advancement colleagues to support accurate gift recording, pledge tracking, forecasting and reconciliation.
- Work with teams across Spark to create compelling donor experiences and communicate the impact of the campaign.
- Represent Spark at community, corporate, philanthropic and campaign-related events.
- Due to the nature of donor and campaign activity, occasional evening and weekend responsibilities will be required.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Knowledge
- A minimum of 5 years progressive experience in major gift fundraising, capital campaigns, fund development or a related field, with a proven record of achieving financial targets.
- Demonstrated success personally cultivating, soliciting and securing significant philanthropic gifts, ideally for a major capital campaign.
- Experience implementing or contributing to a capital campaign or complex fundraising initiative.
- Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into practical fundraising plans and activity.
- Experience managing an active portfolio of prospects through the full donor cycle.
- Experience working with senior volunteers, Board members, campaign cabinets or executive leaders.
- A proven track record of face-to-face donor engagement and solicitation.
- Extraordinary communication and presentation skills, with the ability to listen and persuasively convey Spark’s vision to diverse audiences.
- Strong project-management and organizational skills.
- Strong writing skills and experience developing proposals, presentations, briefing notes and donor communications.
- Ability to balance donor-facing activity with campaign coordination, administration, reporting and follow-up.
- Knowledge of Canada Revenue Agency guidelines relating to charitable fundraising and receipting.
- Knowledge of the AFP Code of Ethical Standards and Imagine Canada’s Standards Program is considered an asset.
- Experience using a fund development database or CRM.
- Strong ethics and the ability to manage confidential donor and prospect information.
- A high degree of curiosity and creativity, with the ability to leave ego at the door.
- Initiative, persistence and confidence engaging prospective donors and community leaders.
- Desire to work on a high-performing team with a continuous-improvement culture to achieve high-impact results.
- A proven track record of adding value to an organization’s culture and initiatives.
- Ability to model high performance, flexibility and kindness in a rapidly changing growth environment.
- Willingness to learn, adapt and refine approaches as the campaign evolves.
- CFRE designation or equivalent fundraising education is considered an asset.
- An equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience will be considered.
- A valid driver's licence and the ability to travel regularly throughout the Calgary region are required. Access to reliable transportation is essential to perform the duties of this role.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, people of colour and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. At Spark, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you are excited about this role, please apply. An excitement for Spark’s mission and the impact of Keep Calgary Curious can go a long way—you may be just the right candidate for this or another role at Spark.
