Communications & Fund Development Manager
Leighton Art Centre | Full-Time, Permanent
Location: Foothills County, Alberta (near Millarville, southwest of Calgary)
Reports to: Executive Director
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: Commensurate with experience
About Leighton Art Centre
Imagine working somewhere that inspires creativity every day, surrounded by 80 acres of breathtaking Alberta foothills, where art, nature and community come together.
Leighton Art Centre is a unique cultural destination with a rich artistic history and an exciting future. Through exhibitions, school programs, summer camps, adult workshops, special events and our Gallery Shop, we connect thousands of people each year with meaningful artistic experiences.
We are entering an exciting period of growth and renewal, with new opportunities to expand our reach, strengthen our programs and share the incredible stories unfolding at Leighton.
And that's where you come in!
We are looking for a creative, motivated and experienced Communications & Fund Development Manager who can help us tell our story, build meaningful connections and inspire people to support the arts.
The Opportunity
Are you an exceptional storyteller who knows how to turn great ideas into compelling campaigns? Do you love connecting with people, finding creative ways to engage audiences and developing proposals that make a difference?
We are looking for someone who brings together strong communications expertise with a passion for fundraising and community impact.
As our Communications & Fund Development Manager, you will lead Leighton Art Centre's marketing and communications initiatives while playing an important role in growing our fundraising and grant development activities.
You will help showcase our incredible artists, promote our programs and events, strengthen our community presence and communicate the impact of our work to donors, funders and supporters.
This is a hands-on position with the opportunity to help shape the future of a beloved Alberta arts organization.
Key Responsibilities
1. Communications, Marketing & Digital Engagement
- Develop and implement engaging communications and marketing strategies that increase awareness, attendance, participation and community support.
- Lead the Centre's social media presence, creating compelling and creative content across platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.
- Plan and coordinate marketing campaigns for exhibitions, summer camps, workshops and major events, including Clothesline Art Market, Festive Foothills and Harvest Supper.
- Manage website content, ensuring information is current, accessible and engaging.
- Develop and distribute newsletters, promotional emails, digital campaigns and other communications.
- Coordinate advertising initiatives across digital, print and community channels, evaluating performance and return on investment.
- Develop promotional materials, media releases, advertisements and other marketing resources.
- Build and maintain relationships with media outlets, tourism partners and community organizations to expand Leighton's visibility.
- Ensure consistent branding, messaging and storytelling across all communications.
- Monitor campaign results, website traffic and social media engagement to identify opportunities for improvement.
2. Grant Research, Writing & Management
- Research and identify grant opportunities from government agencies, foundations, corporations and other funding organizations.
- Prepare high-quality, persuasive grant applications that align with the Centre's strategic priorities.
- Work collaboratively with the Executive Director and program staff to develop funding proposals, program descriptions, budgets and supporting documentation.
- Maintain a comprehensive grant calendar, tracking application deadlines, funding decisions, reporting requirements and renewal opportunities.
- Coordinate grant reporting, collecting program outcomes, participant information, financial data and impact stories.
- Maintain accurate records of grant applications, agreements, funding commitments and reporting requirements.
- Build positive relationships with funding organizations and support the development of new funding opportunities.
- Help identify and pursue funding for new initiatives that support the Centre's artistic, educational and community programming.
3. Fundraising Campaigns & Donor Engagement
- Plan and implement annual fundraising campaigns, including direct mail, digital appeals, year-end giving and other fundraising initiatives.
- Develop compelling fundraising messages that inspire individuals and organizations to support Leighton Art Centre.
- Create donor communications, acknowledgement letters, stewardship materials and impact updates.
- Support donor recognition activities and initiatives that strengthen long-term relationships.
- Assist with the development of sponsorship proposals, corporate partnership packages and funding presentations.
- Maintain accurate fundraising campaign records and track results in collaboration with the administrative team.
- Identify opportunities to grow individual giving, monthly donations, sponsorships and community support.
- Support the Executive Director with donor research, proposals, presentations and stewardship activities.
4. Storytelling, Brand & Community Impact
- Identify and develop compelling stories that highlight the impact of the Centre's programs, exhibitions, artists and community initiatives.
- Showcase the connections between art, nature, creativity, education and well-being.
- Create engaging written and visual content featuring students, artists, volunteers, donors and community members.
- Support the development of annual impact reports, presentations, organizational updates and other materials.
- Help communicate Leighton Art Centre's unique history and its evolving role as a vibrant cultural destination.
- Work collaboratively with the team to identify new ways to connect with audiences and inspire support.
5. Planning, Collaboration & Reporting
- Develop and maintain an integrated annual communications, marketing, fundraising and grant calendar.
- Collaborate with the Exhibitions & Events Manager, Gallery Shop & Artist Relations Manager and Education team to support organizational priorities.
- Manage assigned marketing and fundraising campaign budgets responsibly.
- Track key performance indicators related to marketing, audience growth, grant applications and fundraising activities.
- Provide regular updates and reports to the Executive Director.
- Contribute to organizational planning, program promotion and revenue development.
- Support other organizational initiatives and special projects as required.
What You Bring
We recognize that great candidates come from a variety of backgrounds. We are looking for someone who combines creativity, strong communication skills and the ability to deliver results.
Required Qualifications
- Post-secondary education in communications, marketing, public relations, fundraising, nonprofit management or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- A minimum of 3–5 years of relevant experience in communications, marketing, fundraising or grant development.
- Familiarity with WordPress, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, email marketing platforms and donor management systems.
- Demonstrated experience researching, writing and submitting successful grant applications.
- Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling abilities.
- Experience managing social media platforms, newsletters, websites and digital marketing campaigns.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines.
- Experience developing persuasive proposals, promotional materials or fundraising communications.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Confidence working independently while collaborating within a small, dynamic team.
- Proficiency with common digital marketing, design and office software.
Assets
- Experience in the arts, culture, education or nonprofit sectors.
- Knowledge of government, foundation and corporate grant programs in Alberta and Canada.
- Experience with fundraising campaigns, sponsorship development or donor stewardship.
- Photography, videography and digital content creation experience.
- Familiarity with the Calgary, Foothills and southern Alberta arts and philanthropic communities.
Why Join Leighton Art Centre?
This is more than a communications or fundraising job. It's an opportunity to help shape the next chapter of a remarkable organization.
You will be joining a passionate, collaborative team in a truly inspiring setting, with the chance to bring your creativity, expertise and ideas to an organization that is looking toward the future.
We offer an opportunity to make a tangible difference, work with incredible artists and community partners, and help ensure that art and creativity remain accessible to generations to come.
Additional Details
- Full-time, permanent position.
- Primarily on-site at Leighton Art Centre.
- Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support special events and organizational activities.
- Reliable transportation is required due to our rural location.
- Compensation and benefits will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience, your interest in Leighton Art Centre and what excites you about this opportunity to:
Patricia Lisevich
Executive Director
Executivedirector@leightoncentre.org
We would also love to see examples of your work! Applicants are encouraged to share relevant writing samples, marketing campaigns, communications materials or examples of successful grant applications, with confidential information removed.
Leighton Art Centre is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive and respectful environment. We encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.
Come help us tell Leighton's story and inspire its future!
