Development Associate

Company Overview

Western Canada Theatre tells our stories on the traditional & unceded territory of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, whose people are the traditional stewards of this land. 

 Since 1975, Western Canada Theatre has been producing innovative, entertaining, and educational theatre for audiences in Kamloops, throughout BC’s Southern Interior, and across Canada. We have grown into one of the largest producing theatres in BC and have had a remarkable impact on the national theatre landscape: producing premieres of important new Canadian and Indigenous work, training some of Canada’s finest theatre professionals, and showcasing our work and our artists across the country through touring and co-productions.  We manage & operate the 700-seat Sagebrush Theatre, the 150-seat flexible configuration Pavilion Theatre, & Kelson Hall Centre for Arts & Education. For more information, please visit us at wctlive.ca 

Job Description

Job Description 

Title: Development Associate 

Reports To: Development Director 

Position Summary 

The Development Associate supports the fundraising and stewardship efforts of Western Canada Theatre (WCT). Reporting to the Development Director, this role is focused on building and sustaining relationships with individual donors, with an emphasis on Major Gifts. The Development Associate works to strengthen donor engagement through thoughtful stewardship, accurate record-keeping, and responsive communication. While their primary focus is donor development, they will also support the Development Director in sponsorships, partnerships, and special events. This position combines administrative detail with relationship-building, helping WCT deepen its impact in the Kamloops community and beyond. 

Key Responsibilities 

Major Gifts & Donor Relations 

• Support the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors, with a focus on major gifts and annual donations. 

• Track and process donations, ensuring timely acknowledgements, tax receipting, and accurate donor records. 

• Prepare personalized donor communications, including thank-you letters, updates, and impact reports. 

• Maintain and update donor information in the database (Spektrix/CRM) and generate donor profiles as required. 

• Assist with research and identification of prospective major donors. 

Sponsorship & Partnerships 

• Support the Development Director in fulfilling sponsor agreements, including recognition, benefits delivery, and reporting. 

• Assist in maintaining accurate records of sponsor relationships and tracking benefits fulfillment. 

Events & Stewardship Activities 

• Provide support in planning and delivering stewardship and cultivation events, such as donor receptions, opening nights, and fundraising activities. 

• Assist with event logistics, invitations, guest lists, and on-site donor relations. 

Administration & Communications 

• Support the Development Director with grant reporting and proposal preparation. 

• Assist with creation of donor recognition materials (programs, signage, website, newsletters). 

• Generate regular reports on fundraising progress for internal use. 

• Ensure confidentiality and professionalism in handling donor and financial information. 

Qualifications and Assets 

Qualifications 

• Post-secondary education in arts administration, business, communications, or a related field; or equivalent experience. 

• 1–3 years of experience in fundraising, development, event planning, or arts administration. 

• Strong organizational skills with keen attention to detail and accuracy. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with CRM/database systems. 

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team while managing multiple priorities independently. 

Assets 

• Experience working in the non-profit or arts sector. 

• Familiarity with Spektrix or other ticketing/fundraising software. 

• Knowlege of Canada Revenue Agency charitable receipting requirements. 

• Graphic design, social media, or content creation skills. 

• Passion for theatre and the performing arts, and enthusiasm for community engagement.