Strategist, Development Communications

Take the next step in your career by joining the team at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and grow your experience at one of the most unique sites in Calgary The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a full-time permanent **Strategist, Development Communications** to join our passionate Development team.

Reporting to the Manager, Development Engagement, this role is responsible for creating and maintaining communications and tools primarily in support of the KRM (Key Relationship Manager) fundraising team, and the overall development team. The Strategist, Development Communications, is a strong collaborator, highly organized and has excellent writing and project management skills. This role plays a critical function in sharing our conservation impact in an engaging way to mobilize donors to both the Wilder Institute and Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.

**Our Purpose**| We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.

**Our Core Values** | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.

**What you will do**:

- Develop customized and compelling funding proposals aligned with funder interest and organizational priorities
- Develop customized and compelling impact reports aligned with funder areas of support and organizational achievements
- Develop and manage templates and content for standardized proposals and impact reports
- Support the team as needed with development of various communication materials and tools including but not limited to acknowledgment letters, thank you cards, newsletters, development related website content, event invitations, direct mail appeals, presentations and other cultivation/solicitation/stewardship needs
- Create and maintain a suite of resources, including organizational information, program descriptions and budgets, one-pager proposals, other templates, and commonly requested supporting documentation as a resource for the development team
- Use Adobe, Canva and other programs to lay out all internally managed development communications working with the brand and engagement team on more complex projects
- Collaborate closely with the brand and engagement team to ensure that development communications are aligned with the organization’s voice and brand. Seek approval on design and communications when required
- Collaborate with teams and program leads across the organization to coordinate collection of data and jointly prepare relevant content to support proposal development/impact reporting and other materials
- Manage projects as assigned, with the support of the Manager, Development Engagement
- Embrace continuous education on relevant zoo and conservation information which affects this role
- Perform other responsibilities as required.

**What you will bring**:

- Bachelor’s degree in Communications or related field is an asset
- 3-5 years’ experience delivering compelling donor materials and proposals/impact reports for funding of all sizes - including multi-million-dollar funding.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively interpret, organize, and present information and ideas in written and presentation form.
- Self-motivated, with superior time management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Competent writer with strong editing and proofreading abilities for preparing proposals, impact reports, and all other development needs
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and fundraising databases.
- Experienced using Adobe Pro, Canva and other design programs to create visually engaging publications and marketing materials.
- Project Management skills and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively to achieve results.
- Demonstrated dedication to outstanding customer service.
- Ability to work effectively and build strong relationships with colleagues, senior management, and other departments.
- Strives to achieve best practices and committed to professional development

**Working Conditions**:

- Primarily working at a desk with a computer, some on-grounds mobility is required.
- Although primarily Monday to Friday, occasional evening and weekend work is required.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.

**What the Zoo Offers**:

- Competitive compensation, vacation and flex days entitlement
- Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account
- Employer matching RRSP program
- Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
- Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan
- A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals

Are you ready to join one of Canada’s leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal at