Programming Special Projects Lead - Seasonal
Top Benefits
About the role
About the Calgary Stampede!
The Calgary Stampede is a not-for-profit community organization that preserves and promotes our western heritage, cultures and community spirit with a vision to create a world-class, year-round gathering place for the community. Exemplifying the theme, We’re Greatest Together, the Stampede is one of the most respected volunteer-based organizations in the world governed by a Board of Directors with over 2,500 passionate volunteers and 1,200 year-round employees.
As an organization that exists for the benefit of the community, inclusion and equity are woven into our core values of western hospitality, pride of place, integrity, and commitment to the community. The world-class, year-round gathering place we have built for the community also welcomes visitors from around the world and those who are new to the local community. We know that blending diverse cultures with our long-standing traditions makes community spirit thrive.
Position Summary
The Programming Special Projects Lead is a member of the Programming Department and is responsible to oversee the execution of a portfolio of special projects for the Calgary Stampede. Reporting to the Entertainment Manager, the Programming Special Projects Lead will oversee the planning, development, implementation and fulfillment requirements for new programming initiatives, ranging from operationalizing new attractions to evaluating the feasibility of potential activities for Stampede 2025. This is an exciting role that works across all areas of the Stampede’s programming strategy to advance new and unique initiatives for our event that may include entertainment stages, midway attractions, and strategic opportunities within iconic experiences at The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth.
This is a seasonal role from February to August of 2026.
Roles and Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:
- Lead new and early stage programming initiatives requiring project leadership and execution
- Research the feasibility of potential new initiatives and make recommendations on programming activations
- Generate comprehensive plans for special programming initiatives which support strategic and financial objectives for the organization
- Accurately manage all project budgets assigned to their portfolio, including the planning of expenses, tracking of expenses and revenue, and reporting on these budgets post event and year around, ensuring the needs and status of these budgets are communicated to the department manager consistently.
- Source and manage relationship with suppliers, vendors, and contractors
- Collaborate with organizational departments, supporting the execution of Stampede’s programming strategy, actively informing the organization of the how to execute potential special projects during 10 Day Stampede
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications and Education Requirements
- Post-secondary Diploma or Associate Degree in Fine Arts, Tourism, Event Management, Business Management or related field
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in the tourism or entertainment industry with exposure to sourcing, contract negotiations, logistics, scheduling, project management, guest experience design, booking, show direction and event operations
- Comfort with exploring the feasibility of new programming initiatives, working with ambiguous information, and determining if a project is possible or not
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Proficient in MS Word, Excel and database applications
- Ability to determine priorities and recognize importance of deadlines
- Customer service oriented with an appreciation for systems, processes practices
- Courteous, people-person with a professional manner and an ability to function effectively in group situations
- Full comprehension of event safety
- Awareness of industry associations and unions
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative
- Strong attention to detail
- Experience working with volunteers
- Availability to work a seasonal full-time role from early February to early August
- Must be available to work all 10 days of the Calgary Stampede July 4-13, 2025
Benefits
The Calgary Stampede offers a unique and exciting work environment and the opportunity for advancement and employee training.
To Apply
To apply, please submit your resume.
All applicants are thanked in advance and advised that only those selected for interviews will be contacted
About Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We're Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.
Our western hospitality and community spirit earned us the Waterstone Award for Canada's Top 10 Admired Corporate Cultures in the Public Sector category for 2013 and Mediacorp Canada Inc announced the Calgary Stampede as one of Alberta's Top 65 Employers.
Programming Special Projects Lead - Seasonal
Top Benefits
About the role
About the Calgary Stampede!
The Calgary Stampede is a not-for-profit community organization that preserves and promotes our western heritage, cultures and community spirit with a vision to create a world-class, year-round gathering place for the community. Exemplifying the theme, We’re Greatest Together, the Stampede is one of the most respected volunteer-based organizations in the world governed by a Board of Directors with over 2,500 passionate volunteers and 1,200 year-round employees.
As an organization that exists for the benefit of the community, inclusion and equity are woven into our core values of western hospitality, pride of place, integrity, and commitment to the community. The world-class, year-round gathering place we have built for the community also welcomes visitors from around the world and those who are new to the local community. We know that blending diverse cultures with our long-standing traditions makes community spirit thrive.
Position Summary
The Programming Special Projects Lead is a member of the Programming Department and is responsible to oversee the execution of a portfolio of special projects for the Calgary Stampede. Reporting to the Entertainment Manager, the Programming Special Projects Lead will oversee the planning, development, implementation and fulfillment requirements for new programming initiatives, ranging from operationalizing new attractions to evaluating the feasibility of potential activities for Stampede 2025. This is an exciting role that works across all areas of the Stampede’s programming strategy to advance new and unique initiatives for our event that may include entertainment stages, midway attractions, and strategic opportunities within iconic experiences at The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth.
This is a seasonal role from February to August of 2026.
Roles and Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:
- Lead new and early stage programming initiatives requiring project leadership and execution
- Research the feasibility of potential new initiatives and make recommendations on programming activations
- Generate comprehensive plans for special programming initiatives which support strategic and financial objectives for the organization
- Accurately manage all project budgets assigned to their portfolio, including the planning of expenses, tracking of expenses and revenue, and reporting on these budgets post event and year around, ensuring the needs and status of these budgets are communicated to the department manager consistently.
- Source and manage relationship with suppliers, vendors, and contractors
- Collaborate with organizational departments, supporting the execution of Stampede’s programming strategy, actively informing the organization of the how to execute potential special projects during 10 Day Stampede
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications and Education Requirements
- Post-secondary Diploma or Associate Degree in Fine Arts, Tourism, Event Management, Business Management or related field
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in the tourism or entertainment industry with exposure to sourcing, contract negotiations, logistics, scheduling, project management, guest experience design, booking, show direction and event operations
- Comfort with exploring the feasibility of new programming initiatives, working with ambiguous information, and determining if a project is possible or not
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Proficient in MS Word, Excel and database applications
- Ability to determine priorities and recognize importance of deadlines
- Customer service oriented with an appreciation for systems, processes practices
- Courteous, people-person with a professional manner and an ability to function effectively in group situations
- Full comprehension of event safety
- Awareness of industry associations and unions
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative
- Strong attention to detail
- Experience working with volunteers
- Availability to work a seasonal full-time role from early February to early August
- Must be available to work all 10 days of the Calgary Stampede July 4-13, 2025
Benefits
The Calgary Stampede offers a unique and exciting work environment and the opportunity for advancement and employee training.
To Apply
To apply, please submit your resume.
All applicants are thanked in advance and advised that only those selected for interviews will be contacted
About Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We're Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.
Our western hospitality and community spirit earned us the Waterstone Award for Canada's Top 10 Admired Corporate Cultures in the Public Sector category for 2013 and Mediacorp Canada Inc announced the Calgary Stampede as one of Alberta's Top 65 Employers.