Development Event Assistant

Company Overview

As one of the world’s leading theatre companies and Niagara’s 20 largest employers, The Shaw Festival is dedicated to an ongoing process of increasing diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs, and in all our hiring for staff, artists, and in the recruiting of board members. The Shaw is committed to a future when our theatres joyously draw on and include all peoples, fully reflective of the world around us. As such, the Shaw Festival is an equal opportunity employer committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We encourage and invite applications from applicants who identify as Indigenous, Black or as persons of colour (IBPOC), the LGBTQ2+ communities and those identifying as gender fluid. In accordance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and in keeping with our wish to ensure a fully inclusive environment, please advise Human Resources if you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process. We will be happy to assist.

We acknowledge and honour the land upon which we gather as the historic and traditional territory of First Nations peoples. In particular, we recognize and thank the Neutral Nation, the Mississauga and the Haudenosaunee for their stewardship of these lands over millennia.

Job Description

The Development Event Assistant reports to the Events Associate. This position is responsible for providing support for a variety of processing and administrative needs for the Department’s Events and will work closely with several team members.  

The successful candidate will possess the following:

·        Interest in event management and donor stewardship

·        Strong organizational skills and time management

·        Comfortable working in high-paced and changing situations

·        Attention to detail, accuracy, focus for this multi-tasking role

·        Absolute discretion when dealing with patron information

·        Ability to work independently as well as with those on the Development Team and representatives from other departments

·        Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both oral and written)

·        A professional demeanor and experience/ability in dealing with discerning patrons

·        Experience in Microsoft Office – Word, Excel – and Adobe and Tessitura ideally

·        An appreciation for the arts and for theatre

The Development Assistant will assist the Events Associate primarily with event administration and processing tasks, focusing on but not limited to:

·        Event mailings and eblasts (data extractions, mail merging, printing, etc.), in coordination with the Distribution Department and internal development staff

·        Maintaining up-to-date event records in the database (e.g. adding activities or events, promotion of mailings/invitations to accounts), including tracking RSVPs and producing event attendance reports

·        Processing event ticket purchases and receipts including Shaw Openings and fundraising events (Boxing and Shivaree)

·        Lead and manage specific aspects of events as assigned, including but not limited to the Shivaree Silent Auction

·        Assist the Annual Giving program through the support of Open and On Stage Rehearsals, ‘Happy Hour’ online events and other stewardship events as determined

·        Support off-site cultivation event, including in the United States, designed to cultivate and steward Shaw prospects and donors

·        Support production of event materials (e.g. invitations, nametags, place cards, registration lists, donation forms, invoices, etc.)

·        Assisting with events on the day of (set up, running, strike)

·        Maintenance and upkeep of Event files

 In addition, during certain time periods, this role will be asked to provide additional support or back-up for:

·        Processing of donations, in coordination with the Administrative Coordinator

·        Provision of service and hospitality to donors during intermissions

·        Supporting with general ticketing of Shaw donors and influencers

Other duties include:

·        additional support to Development team leadership as requested

Wage Rate:    $37,490.00 per year

Please note*    All new hires must provide full proof of COVID-19 Vaccination (2 doses)

plus booster prior to start date.

Hours of Work:

·        The basic work week will total 35 hours

·        Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

·        While some remote work may be possible, this role is primarily an in-person position.

·        Some evenings and week-ends will be required for events, particularly during the spring and summer season.