About the Calgary Stampede Foundation!
The Calgary Stampede Foundation supports youth of Alberta by providing dynamic programming and inspiring spaces to enhance their leadership skills, personal growth, creativity, and education. Our vibrant and welcoming campus connects arts, heritage, and education. Working with community leaders and philanthropists to ensure out western legacy is preserved for future generations.
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.
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 2024, the Calgary Stampede Foundation opened 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 engages and excites guests in Calgary’s Stampede story through immersive, interactive, story-driven experiences that put our guests at the centre of the action.
Position Summary and Overview
The Public Program Coordinator is a member of the Sam Centre Exhibits & Experience Team. This role is responsible for creating and the execution of all public programming areas including: public programs and activations, special events, and corporate programs at Sam Centre. Core responsibilities include, detailed program design and facilitation, programming materials coordination and scheduling and daily support of gallery volunteers.
The Public Program Coordinator is a public facing team member with strong programming experience, a guest orientated mindset, supportive of the community engagement experience, and willing to work a flexible schedule including weekends, occasional evenings, and holidays.
The Public Program Coordinator 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.
Closing Date: July 28, 2026
Responsibilities
Responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:
Development & Design
- Through research, innovative ideation, and detailed design create public programs to enrich visitor experience at Sam Centre. Creative out of the box thinking is an asset.
- Support industry partnerships that facilitate co-created programs and contribute to a sense of belonging through Sam’s programs.
- Support the ongoing program evaluation and improvement processes, utilizing collaboration and focusing on delivering a best practice programming environment.
- Support procurement of program materials including sourcing, pricing, and storage organization.
Program Delivery
- Create and enthusiastically deliver Sam public programs that promote exceptional visitor experience and sharing of Stampede stories.
- Create an engaging and interactive environment, fostering curiosity, learning, critical thinking, and meaningful connections.
- Ensure safety and well-being of guests to Sam, employees, and volunteers.
- Act as an event lead for special events.
Teamwork
- Support the day to day operations of Sam gallery volunteers, participate with evaluation tools including providing program specific coaching, and providing daily direction.
- Support the recruitment and training of Sam Community program facilitators, when needed.
- Support positive relationships with key stakeholders in the industry.
Coordination
- Collaborate with CS and Sam Centre colleagues for detailed program design and implement the public programs.
- In alignment with the rest of the exhibits & experience team, support website content development, reporting, creation of program materials, and participant communications.
- Coordinate staff and volunteer schedules and navigate last minute schedule adjustments.
- Maintain and update internal information documents, summarize content for programming use such as marketing and digital content.
- Support budget accountability and maximization
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be proactive, creative, optimistic and have worked in a dynamic environment and will hold the following qualifications:
- 2-4 years of experience in the delivery of professional programs in museum, educational, arts, or cultural organizations or acceptable combination of education, training, experience, or traditional knowledge relevant to the position.
- Preference may be given to candidates who have completed greater than 2 years of postsecondary education, training, or experience in a related field such as, but not limited to: history, museum science, theater, arts, rodeo, agriculture, event management, cultural or historical interpretation.
- Confident public speaking, facilitation and excels at connecting with audiences of all ages, interests and abilities.
- Familiar with audience orientated experiences and adept at detailed program design 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, Power Point, 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 and/or interpretive theory and techniques such as storytelling, demonstration, theatre programs, dialogue, participatory experiences, and guided walks is an asset
- Post-Secondary Diploma or Associates degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Assets: Multi-lingual, rodeo, agriculture, arts, theatre, Pinterest craft lover.
Benefits
The Calgary Stampede offers a unique and exciting work environment, an excellent total compensation package, and opportunities for advancement and employee training.
To Apply
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter.
All applicants are thanked in advance and only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
