Area Manager, Community and Events

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The internal deadline for this posting is July 10, 2025 at 11:59pm.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Manager, Community and Events, position is directly accountable to the Director, Student Engagement for the achievement of the long-range strategic planning as well as the day-to-day implementation of operations. They will work closely with other members of the organization’s management and leadership team to ensure programs offered to students are contributing to the vibrant student experience and the wellness of our campus community. This position is responsible for effectively managing of staff and volunteers, processes, student assets, and programs involved in the provision of outstanding student experiences. Furthermore, this influential position, plays an integral role in nurturing a vibrant and inclusive campus culture, enriching the student experience, and reinforcing the student association's commitment to student empowerment and engagement.

The Manager of Community and Events oversees the organizations special event operations at all 4 campuses that are of a variety of scales ranging from 500 attendees to 10,000 with budgets ranging from 10k per event up to 250k per event. In addition to events, the Manager of Community and events oversees the organizations faculty society team that works with +10 unique faculty societies across all 4 campuses, the society’s team supports each society’s unity operations, events (+1300 annually), responsible for society budgets and finances (+1 Million Annually), Risk Management, and advocacy support within each faculty.

The Manager of Community + Events holds a pivotal role, acting as the driving force behind the vibrant campus atmosphere and unforgettable student experiences through building a sense of belonging for our entire membership. By taking charge of all major special events and productions, they leave an indelible mark on the campus community, creating cherished memories that last a lifetime. Their unwavering commitment to maintaining positive working relations with student societies and groups fosters an environment of collaboration and support, empowering student-driven initiatives to flourish.

The Manager ensures that student societies have the necessary resources and guidance, elevating their engagements to unprecedented heights of success. With a keen focus on safety and financial prudence, they skillfully navigate risk mitigation, safeguarding the well-being of students and preserving the organization's financial stability.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Develop and implement strategies to maximize engagement in all WUSA wide events and within the Student Society portfolio.

• Develop a 1-2-year operational plan, outlining strategic objectives and priorities to guide the department's growth and development to best supports the department.
• Develop, implement, assess and manage all programs and identify and act on areas of improvement within operations.
• Leads a team of professionals in the development, delivery and evaluation of student life programs and services designed to increase students’ sense of belonging and improve their overall student experience and student life.
• Lead their respective teams in the end-to-end development, planning, and execution of community and large-scale events, ensuring seamless delivery and exceptional attendee experiences.
• Support coordinators with major aspects of event logistics, including vendor coordination, venue selection, and on-site management, to ensure successful event execution.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization and implement improvements to enhance event planning and delivery efficiency.
• Lead their teams through conducting termly evaluations, gather feedback from stakeholders, and prepare comprehensive reports to measure portfolio’s success and identify areas for improvement. Develop strategic plan proposals that support implementing program changes and net benefit to stakeholders.
• Cultivate partnerships and collaboration opportunities to expand the organization's community engagement and event offerings, driving growth and fostering meaningful connections.
• Establish and implement operational systems that support the viability and sustainability for the respective programs.
• Responsible for establishing efficient operating frameworks within the society portfolio that promote consistency and clarity.
• Integrate DEI principles and practices within community and event initiatives, ensuring inclusivity and representation in all aspects of the work.
• Lead the planning and execution of strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and vision and goals from our Long-Range Plan.

Operations and Risk Management

Overall responsibility of the day-to-day operations of all areas of student group programing, including:

• Responsible for the day-to-day management of the events and faculty society portfolios and operational budgets totaling +2M
• Oversees the events team to ensure delivery of high quality and intentional event programing is delivered. At times may be the Senior Project Manager to lead large scale/high-risk events
• Oversees the organizations faculty society team that works with +10 unique faculty societies across all 4 campuses, the society’s team supports each society’s unity operations, events (+1300 annually), responsible for society budgets and finances, Risk Management, and operational support within each faculty.
• Lead their respective team in regularly assessing the progress and effectiveness of strategic initiatives, using key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success.
• Staying abreast of current industry standards within Event Management, Student Services, Provincial Health and Safety regulations, as well as University standards that the department is required to comply with.
• Responsible for managing a risk management framework and leading their team to identify risks within the operations, how to respond, and appropriate escalations.
• Collaborate with the University, community, and donor stakeholders to secure resources, funding, and support for new initiatives and strategic projects.
• Provide expertise in crafting compelling business proposals to attract investment, partnerships, or other forms of support for strategic ventures
• Lead the development and implement Emergency Action Plans for day-to-day operations as well as large-scale events. Work with staff to communicate and execute within the operations.
• Interpret, review and assist in the development of safety policies and risk mitigation in order to provide a safe environment for all participants.
• Risk Assessment, Evaluation, and Mitigation: Identify and assess financial risks, and activity-based risk conducting thorough evaluations to develop risk mitigation strategies and safeguard the organization's liability.
• Emergency Response Training: Develop and conduct emergency response training for their teams and organizations, ensuring readiness to handle emergency crises or unforeseen events effectively.

Relationships and Collaboration

• Provides leadership for and facilitation of collaboration across departmental portfolios, working directly with program managers, marketing, facilities, accounting, student staff, and leadership

• Leads their team to collaborate with student & society leaders and staff to develop vibrant communities and enrich the student experience through meaningful engagement and support.
• Cultivate and leverage positive relationships with University of Waterloo partners such as: space and resource management, faculty managers, plant operations, region of waterloo public health, vendors, sponsors, donors, safety office to enhance opportunities and resources available to the student community.
• Foster positive relationships with members, student societies, and campus partners to create an inclusive and supportive environment.
• Provide training and guidance to their team to deliver exceptional member experiences, ensuring consistent service quality and student satisfaction.
• Continuously seek ways to enhance the member experience, proactively identifying and implementing improvements to meet the evolving needs and preferences of the student body.

Staff Management

• Oversee the performance management process, including setting clear performance goals, conducting evaluations, and providing feedback to support staff growth. Develop and implement training programs to enhance staff skills and capabilities.
• Efficiently allocate staff resources to ensure adequate coverage and optimal performance in various departments and projects.
• Recruit, onboard, and manage part-time staff and volunteers, providing guidance, support, and recognition for their contributions to the organization.
• Promote a positive work environment and employee wellbeing, addressing staff concerns and providing necessary support to foster job satisfaction and productivity.
• Support and lead full-time and part-time employee development within their team.

Financial and Asset Management

• Developing and managing an annual financial plan of +2M
• Develop and maintain accurate financial forecasts, monitoring budget performance and reconciling financial data to ensure fiscal discipline and accountability.
• Oversee the preparation and presentation of annual budgets, collaborating with relevant stakeholders to align financial plans with organizational objectives.
• Monitor and control expenses, optimizing resource allocation to ensure efficient financial operations and cost-effectiveness.
• Create annual financial forecasts strategies that are data informed and aligned with industry best practices regarding the fiscal planning and resource allocation for the department
• Develop and implement resource management plans.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Post-Secondary degree in Event Planning, Recreation and Leadership or other relevant education/experience required.
• Master’s degree is preferred.

Experience

• 5+ Years in program or event management experience in a nonprofit or post-secondary environment
• 2+ years of managing full-time staff with similar sized teams and/or operations
• Significant experience managing/leading a team in a student service/post-secondary environment; experience with program development and implementation required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Event Management: Proficiency in planning, coordinating, and executing a diverse range of events, from small-scale gatherings to large-scale productions, ensuring seamless and successful outcomes.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Exceptional ability to build positive relationships, collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and communicate clearly and persuasively with student groups, colleagues, and external partners.
• Creativity: Strong creative and innovative mindset, capable of conceptualizing and delivering unique and engaging event experiences that resonate with the campus community.
• Risk Management: In-depth understanding of safety protocols and financial risk mitigation, with the skills to proactively identify potential risks and implement effective measures for student safety and event sustainability.
• Resource Management: Skill in optimizing resources, including budgets, staffing, and logistical arrangements, to achieve cost-effective event delivery without compromising on quality.
• Inclusivity and Diversity: Knowledge of inclusive event planning, ensuring that events cater to diverse student interests and backgrounds, promoting a sense of belonging for all attendees.
• Leadership and Team Management: Strong leadership skills to inspire and guide a team, fostering a collaborative and motivated work environment that drives excellence in event planning and execution.
• Community Engagement: A deep understanding of student needs and interests, with the ability to proactively engage and involve the campus community in event planning and participation, cultivating a sense of ownership and enthusiasm.
• Evenings and weekends required. This role supports event production so long hours on your feet and lifting up to 50 lbs is required
• Valid Ontario G Driver’s License with a clean driving record and ability to safely operate organizational vehicles as required for work-related tasks.
• Current Standard First Aid & CPR Level C Certification with the ability to respond effectively in emergency situations; additional safety certifications considered an asset

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.