Job Description
Why should you join our team?
YMCA Calgary is a charity that ignites the potential in Calgarians. Since our inception in 1+02, we have evolved into a vibrant organization operating in every quadrant of the city.
Guided by our core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility, YMCA Calgary offers a growing hub of programming & services to address the needs of our community including connection and belonging, physical and mental wellbeing, child-care support, language instruction, affordable tutoring and more. We also ensure that no one is turned away, lowering financial barriers for youth, adults and families through the generous donations of our community. This impact takes place across our 7 health and wellness facilities, 6 childcare centres, 2 outdoor camps and 12+ community programs, empowering people of all ages and life stages to belong, grow, thrive and lead.
Marketing and Communications Specialist - Philanthropy (Maternity Leave Coverage)
Association Services
Start Date: August 2026
This contract will be from August 2026 - March 2027
To apply, please submit your résumé along with responses to the questions below in place of a cover letter. Each response should be no more than 4–5 sentences.
Tell us about yourself and why you’re interested in this role at YMCA Calgary.
What do you know about YMCA Calgary’s mission, and how does it align with your values?
Share an example of a campaign you led that attracted new donors. How did you nurture engagement afterward to support retention or repeat giving?
Tell us about a time you used storytelling to elevate awareness of a charitable cause. What format(s) did you use, and how did you share it?
· Give an example of how you used an event to attract new donors or sponsors and raise awareness for nonprofits. · What were the outcomes or results?
Talk about a time you’ve acted as a business partner (internal or external) in a way that highlights your collaboration, negotiation, and communications skills
To ensure alignment, please confirm your expected salary range.
This position is a maternity leave coverage from mid-August 2026 to March 30, 2027. If selected, do you have any concerns with a start date of August 18, 2026?
You can make an impact in the community - locally and across the globe. You will work with a fun culture of people and enjoy many of the benefits and opportunities the YMCA offers:
Complimentary YMCA Calgary membership including a linked membership for dependent children;
Comprehensive health and dental benefits. Premiums paid in full by the Association;
Pension plan with specified contribution matching by the Association;
Anniversary flex day and gifts given to celebrate each year of employment;
Program discounts;
Ongoing leadership development and opportunities;
Leadership award opportunities;
Scholarship opportunities;
Paid recertification and training.
What qualifications are we looking for?
At YMCA Calgary we strive to ensure our employees are a fit based on their strengths, interests, and future goals. The successful candidate will have the following;
Proven experience in donor engagement, fundraising campaigns, and impact storytelling.
Strong writing, editing, and project management skills with an understanding of best practices in donor communications.
Proven experience in social media management and content creation, including video production, storytelling, and graphic design, with a focus on engaging diverse audiences.
Proven experience with event marketing, event management and turning moments into remarkable experiences.
Strong experience developing content strategies informed by audience insights and engagement metrics.
Familiarity with integrated marketing strategies across digital, print, and in-person channels.
A collaborative mindset and strong interpersonal skills, with a proactive approach to building and sustaining donor relationships.
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams or workgroups, with a focus on aligning diverse stakeholders to achieve common goals
Proven experience collaborating with creative agencies, with strong skills in writing clear, strategic briefs to guide creative direction and ensure alignment with campaign objectives and brand standards.
Proficiency with email marketing platforms (Mailchimp, HubSpot, Constant Contact) to create, segment, and track email campaigns aimed at nurturing and retaining donors.
Familiarity with CMS platforms for updating web pages, especially for donor-centric pages like campaign landing pages, impact stories, and donation forms.
Experience with automation tools to streamline and personalize donor communication, including email workflows and engagement campaigns.
Proven experience in setting and evaluating KPIs for marketing and communications initiatives, with a focus on driving growth and engagement metrics.
A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in marketing or communications, ideally within a nonprofit or charitable organization.
A post-secondary degree or diploma in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field.
Evidence of a clear Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Search.
At least three professional references.
Comfort leading and organizing emergency and/or crisis communications response.
What does this role look like at YMCA Calgary?
The Marketing and Communications Specialist – Philanthropy, will lead donor-focused communications and engagement strategies, ensuring our community understands and is inspired by the YMCA’s social impact. This includes:
Developing and implementing an annual content strategy to highlight stories and showcase the positive impact of donor support.
Planning and executing integrated campaigns that support YMCA’s philanthropy programs, including Annual Giving, Major Giving, Endowment initiatives as and Camp Chief Hector’s alumni initiatives.
Leading integrated marketing efforts across digital, print, and event-based channels to foster donor retention and growth.
Enhancing the YMCA Calgary website to create a seamless donor journey, making it easy for supporters to understand our mission and give.
Collaborating with Fund Development to drive the YMCA Philanthropy Launch campaign and increase engagement with key programs.
What You Will Do
Plan, execute, and analyze marketing promotions to drive donor acquisition, engagement, and retention, using data insights to refine strategies and report on campaign performance to key stakeholders.
Craft key messages, develop compelling stories, and create content (videos, blogs, social posts, emails, newsletters, impact reports) that resonate with donors and the community.
Partner with our Fund Development team, and external agencies to build and implement paid and organic media plans to elevate YMCA Calgary’s charitable impact and attract new supporters.
Design branch activations to engage members and donors, encouraging on-site donations and deepening connections with our mission.
Lead email marketing and direct mail initiatives targeted at donor acquisition and retention, converting one-time donors into recurring supporters.
Execute media pitches and secure coverage of impactful YMCA events and stories, showcasing the depth of our community work.
Manage the content and social media strategy to help elevate YMCA’s community impact and outdoor camp stories.
Set objectives and track outcomes to ensure continuous improvement and feedback loops.
Provide media relations and crisis communications response support.
Plan and coordinate events as needed, which may involve some evening or weekend work.
What qualities do we look for in YMCA Calgary Staff and Volunteers?
Our diverse team of staff and volunteers are committed to making a positive impact in the community. In addition, they model and are committed to the following competencies:
Developing Self and Others: Developing people with a view toward present and future capacity.
Building Purposeful Relationships: Relating to people authentically with their best in mind.
Creating a Culture of Community: Gathering people to purpose and vision.
Making Intentional Impact: Intending to make a difference every day.
Thinking and Acting Strategically: Applying thoughts, words, and actions in service to the vision.
Applying Business Acumen: Demonstrating excellence in technical skills and stewarding the YMCA Business Model.
Innovating: Ability to know your environment, initiate and respond effectively to changing conditions.
Please note that evidence of a clear Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search is a requirement
YMCA Calgary is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants must have legal authorization to work in Canada by way of Canadian Citizenship, Permanent Residency or a valid Canadian work permit. YMCA Calgary is currently not engaged in international recruitment efforts as we are required to demonstrate that we have exhausted all means of recruitment both locally and nationally.
Potential candidates will only be contacted if selected for an interview.
All applications are to be submitted online but for any position specific concerns or questions, please email careers@ymcacalgary.org.
YMCA Calgary is a charity that ignites the potential in Calgarians. Since our inception in 1+02, we have evolved into a vibrant organization operating in every quadrant of the city.
Guided by our core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility, YMCA Calgary offers a growing hub of programming & services to address the needs of our community including connection and belonging, physical and mental wellbeing, child-care support, language instruction, affordable tutoring and more. We also ensure that no one is turned away, lowering financial barriers for youth, adults and families through the generous donations of our community. This impact takes place across our 7 health and wellness facilities, 6 childcare centres, 2 outdoor camps and 12+ community programs, empowering people of all ages and life stages to belong, grow, thrive and lead.
Marketing and Communications Specialist - Philanthropy (Maternity Leave Coverage)
Association Services
Start Date: August 2026
This contract will be from August 2026 - March 2027
To apply, please submit your résumé along with responses to the questions below in place of a cover letter. Each response should be no more than 4–5 sentences.
Tell us about yourself and why you’re interested in this role at YMCA Calgary.
What do you know about YMCA Calgary’s mission, and how does it align with your values?
Share an example of a campaign you led that attracted new donors. How did you nurture engagement afterward to support retention or repeat giving?
Tell us about a time you used storytelling to elevate awareness of a charitable cause. What format(s) did you use, and how did you share it?
· Give an example of how you used an event to attract new donors or sponsors and raise awareness for nonprofits. · What were the outcomes or results?
Talk about a time you’ve acted as a business partner (internal or external) in a way that highlights your collaboration, negotiation, and communications skills
To ensure alignment, please confirm your expected salary range.
This position is a maternity leave coverage from mid-August 2026 to March 30, 2027. If selected, do you have any concerns with a start date of August 18, 2026?
You can make an impact in the community - locally and across the globe. You will work with a fun culture of people and enjoy many of the benefits and opportunities the YMCA offers:
Complimentary YMCA Calgary membership including a linked membership for dependent children;
Comprehensive health and dental benefits. Premiums paid in full by the Association;
Pension plan with specified contribution matching by the Association;
Anniversary flex day and gifts given to celebrate each year of employment;
Program discounts;
Ongoing leadership development and opportunities;
Leadership award opportunities;
Scholarship opportunities;
Paid recertification and training.
What qualifications are we looking for?
At YMCA Calgary we strive to ensure our employees are a fit based on their strengths, interests, and future goals. The successful candidate will have the following;
Proven experience in donor engagement, fundraising campaigns, and impact storytelling.
Strong writing, editing, and project management skills with an understanding of best practices in donor communications.
Proven experience in social media management and content creation, including video production, storytelling, and graphic design, with a focus on engaging diverse audiences.
Proven experience with event marketing, event management and turning moments into remarkable experiences.
Strong experience developing content strategies informed by audience insights and engagement metrics.
Familiarity with integrated marketing strategies across digital, print, and in-person channels.
A collaborative mindset and strong interpersonal skills, with a proactive approach to building and sustaining donor relationships.
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams or workgroups, with a focus on aligning diverse stakeholders to achieve common goals
Proven experience collaborating with creative agencies, with strong skills in writing clear, strategic briefs to guide creative direction and ensure alignment with campaign objectives and brand standards.
Proficiency with email marketing platforms (Mailchimp, HubSpot, Constant Contact) to create, segment, and track email campaigns aimed at nurturing and retaining donors.
Familiarity with CMS platforms for updating web pages, especially for donor-centric pages like campaign landing pages, impact stories, and donation forms.
Experience with automation tools to streamline and personalize donor communication, including email workflows and engagement campaigns.
Proven experience in setting and evaluating KPIs for marketing and communications initiatives, with a focus on driving growth and engagement metrics.
A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in marketing or communications, ideally within a nonprofit or charitable organization.
A post-secondary degree or diploma in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field.
Evidence of a clear Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Search.
At least three professional references.
Comfort leading and organizing emergency and/or crisis communications response.
What does this role look like at YMCA Calgary?
The Marketing and Communications Specialist – Philanthropy, will lead donor-focused communications and engagement strategies, ensuring our community understands and is inspired by the YMCA’s social impact. This includes:
Developing and implementing an annual content strategy to highlight stories and showcase the positive impact of donor support.
Planning and executing integrated campaigns that support YMCA’s philanthropy programs, including Annual Giving, Major Giving, Endowment initiatives as and Camp Chief Hector’s alumni initiatives.
Leading integrated marketing efforts across digital, print, and event-based channels to foster donor retention and growth.
Enhancing the YMCA Calgary website to create a seamless donor journey, making it easy for supporters to understand our mission and give.
Collaborating with Fund Development to drive the YMCA Philanthropy Launch campaign and increase engagement with key programs.
What You Will Do
Plan, execute, and analyze marketing promotions to drive donor acquisition, engagement, and retention, using data insights to refine strategies and report on campaign performance to key stakeholders.
Craft key messages, develop compelling stories, and create content (videos, blogs, social posts, emails, newsletters, impact reports) that resonate with donors and the community.
Partner with our Fund Development team, and external agencies to build and implement paid and organic media plans to elevate YMCA Calgary’s charitable impact and attract new supporters.
Design branch activations to engage members and donors, encouraging on-site donations and deepening connections with our mission.
Lead email marketing and direct mail initiatives targeted at donor acquisition and retention, converting one-time donors into recurring supporters.
Execute media pitches and secure coverage of impactful YMCA events and stories, showcasing the depth of our community work.
Manage the content and social media strategy to help elevate YMCA’s community impact and outdoor camp stories.
Set objectives and track outcomes to ensure continuous improvement and feedback loops.
Provide media relations and crisis communications response support.
Plan and coordinate events as needed, which may involve some evening or weekend work.
What qualities do we look for in YMCA Calgary Staff and Volunteers?
Our diverse team of staff and volunteers are committed to making a positive impact in the community. In addition, they model and are committed to the following competencies:
Developing Self and Others: Developing people with a view toward present and future capacity.
Building Purposeful Relationships: Relating to people authentically with their best in mind.
Creating a Culture of Community: Gathering people to purpose and vision.
Making Intentional Impact: Intending to make a difference every day.
Thinking and Acting Strategically: Applying thoughts, words, and actions in service to the vision.
Applying Business Acumen: Demonstrating excellence in technical skills and stewarding the YMCA Business Model.
Innovating: Ability to know your environment, initiate and respond effectively to changing conditions.
Please note that evidence of a clear Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search is a requirement
YMCA Calgary is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants must have legal authorization to work in Canada by way of Canadian Citizenship, Permanent Residency or a valid Canadian work permit. YMCA Calgary is currently not engaged in international recruitment efforts as we are required to demonstrate that we have exhausted all means of recruitment both locally and nationally.
Potential candidates will only be contacted if selected for an interview.
All applications are to be submitted online but for any position specific concerns or questions, please email careers@ymcacalgary.org.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Marketing and Communications Specialist - Philanthropy position is now open for candidates interested in the Content Writer Jobs sector. This role in Calgary offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Content Writer Jobs is a plus.