Careers

POSITION: Development Assistant

STATUS: Full-time, Temporary 8-Week Contract. Some evening and weekends may be required.

REPORTING: reports to the Development Officer

Persephone Theatre, a leading cultural institution in the City of Saskatoon, is seeking an energetic and collaborative individual, who is interested in development and sponsorship, to fulfill the role of Development Assistant. The successful candidate will support the Development department with sponsorship and donations for the 2025-2026 Season.

Persephone Theatre is located on the beautiful lands of Indigenous peoples who have lived here since time immemorial, including the Nêhiyawak, Nêhithawak, Anishinabek, Nakawe, Nakota, Nehinawak, Lakota, Dakota and Dene peoples. This place is also the homeland of the Métis. At Persephone, we also like to acknowledge the contributions of the Whitecap Dakota and Round Prairie Métis peoples in establishing our city of Saskatoon. Persephone Theatre is located on Treaty 6 territory and is committed to living in good relations with our Indigenous neighbours, in the spirit with which the Treaties were intended.

Persephone sits amidst an increasingly vibrant city centre and attracts a loyal and diverse audience looking for the very best in theatre experiences. From its busy MainStage, its second stage The BackStage Stage, and rehearsal halls; to its theatre school and youth programming; and the many events held in its venue, Persephone Theatre has established itself as a cultural hub. Persephone Theatre is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of our community in the stories we tell and the ways in which we undertake creating our work. We prioritize a workplace culture that centres equity, inclusion, and authentic representation. We strongly encourage submissions from those who self-identify as members of historically excluded communities, which includes (but is not limited to) those who identify as IBPoC, 2SLGBTQIA+, d/Deaf, or who have a disability or chronic illness.

This position is supported by the Canada Summer Jobs program and will provide the unique opportunity to work at a non-profit theatre organization as it prepares for its 51st Season. This experience will build valuable and transferable skills to any future position in development and fundraising, where relationship-building, non-profit knowledge, and community connection are essential skills. This position will help our development department plan, coordinate, and implement sponsors for the upcoming 51st season. This position will work within the set-out goals of our development department’s efforts to engage stakeholders, sponsors and community partners, and share Persephone Theatre’s rich history in the community for our 51st Season.

This position will report jointly to our Development Officer and Executive Director. The applicant will receive one-on-one mentoring support from our team, including the Development Officer, Financial Controller and Executive Director.

Persephone Theatre is looking for an individual who is ready to learn, and grow their skills, while working collaboratively with Persephone’s Development Officer, assisting with relationship building, with a strong focus on sponsorship.

• The Development Assistant will:
  • Assist with communications and meeting with prospective sponsors
  • Assist with securing targeted amounts of gifts & sponsorships identified in the fundraising plan.
  • Assist in soliciting Foundations and Corporate Sponsorships for the season or specific plays or initiatives.
  • Coordinate face to face solicitations.
  • Assist with coordination of mail-out and email solicitations with Marketing.
  • Assist with donor and sponsorship recognition and stewardship obligations outlined in gift agreements are included in customized stewardship plans and tracked through Theatre Manager software.
  • Assist with coordination of annual fund statements to donors and sponsors.
  • Assist in creating and implementing our donor recognition program, including giving societies and guidelines for annual giving, mid-level, major and planned giving donors.
  • Assist with optimization and updating our Theatre Manager database, in coordination with our Box Office Manager, as a tool for documenting, implementing and executing cultivation and stewardship plans.
  • Assists with the mailing or emailing of tax receipts for donations over $20, in a timely manner.
  • Other projects, as mutually agreed, are required.
• Desired Skills & Qualifications:
  • This is a Canada Summer Jobs grant funded position. Applicants must be between the ages of 18-30 years old;
  • Experience in a fundraising or donor relations, or relevant professional experience in a similar role is an asset
  • Event management with a focus on relationship management, sponsorship solicitation and volunteer leadership
  • Grant or foundation writing experience an asset
  • Personable with strong customer service skills
  • Demonstrated ability to draft materials such as solicitation letters, impact reports, foundation letters, etc.
  • Knowledge of fundraising/database software (Theatre Manager specifically would be an asset)
  • Experience with relationship management
  • Attention to detail
  • Exceptional communication skills, oral and written
  • Ability to work in a changing environment while maintaining a positive outlook
  • Must be a team player, and should have a love of the theatre and the performing arts
  • Strategic thinking and problem solving
  • Belief in Persephone Theatre’s mission, vision and values, and a commitment to reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion
• Salary and Benefits:
  • $16/hour