Senior Event Manager - Full Time chez Calgary Stampede

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.

Client Events & Services

Beyond The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, Stampede Park hosts more than 1,200 business, tourism, sporting, hospitality, and community events every year, welcoming more than two million guests from every corner of the world. The $500M BMO Centre expansion will be a catalyst to transform the city into a tier one convention city and provide state-of-the-art facilities for our community and guests from around the world.

Position Summary

The Senior Event Manager is a senior practitioner within the Event Management team, responsible for delivering the convention centre’s most complex and high-profile events while mentoring and developing other team members. Unlike the Manager of Event Management—who oversees the team and represents the department to the wider organization—the Senior Event Manager remains directly operational, leading large-scale client programs from planning through execution. This role balances deep event expertise with leadership in client service, ensuring the success of marquee events that drive organizational reputation and revenue.

Closing Date: Tuesday October 7, 2025 

Key Responsibilities

Event Leadership & Client Management

• Lead planning and execution of the convention centre’s largest and most complex events, including international conventions, trade shows, large-scale consumer shows, and VIP programs.
• Serve as the senior point of contact for high-profile clients, providing strategic guidance, proactive solutions, and trusted partnership.
• Anticipate and resolve escalated client issues on-site and during planning, protecting both client satisfaction and organizational reputation.
• Manage and reconcile multi-million-dollar event budgets, ensuring accuracy in billing, forecasting, and financial reporting.

Mentorship & Team Development

• Coach and support Event Managers and Event Coordinators, guiding them in event planning, problem-solving, and client relations.
• Share best practices, templates, and tools to ensure consistency and efficiency across the department.
• Act as a role model for client service standards and professional conduct within the team.

Operational Excellence

• Partner with internal service teams (AV, catering, operations, security, guest services) to align event requirements with operational delivery.
• Ensure that complex event specifications are communicated accurately, and service teams are prepared to meet elevated client expectations.
• Provide feedback and insights to the Manager of Event Management on workflow efficiency, service delivery, and departmental needs.

Areas of Expertise

• Complex event lifecycle management (multi-day, multi-stakeholder, high-revenue programs)
• Senior-level client engagement, negotiation, and relationship management
• Mentorship and professional development of junior and mid-level event staff
• Financial management of large-scale events, including forecasting and reconciliation
• High-pressure decision-making and conflict resolution
• Operational collaboration across multiple service departments

Scope of Events

• International conventions requiring coordination with global associations and multiple stakeholders
• National and city-wide trade shows with significant economic impact
• Large-scale consumer shows with high public attendance and safety considerations
• VIP, government, and corporate programs with reputational and protocol sensitivities

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of progressive event management experience in convention centres, large venues, or similar environments.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale, high-profile, and complex events.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and support the professional growth of event teams.
• Strong financial management skills, with experience overseeing large event budgets.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to perform under pressure while maintaining professionalism and service excellence.
• CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) or equivalent designation considered an asset.

Benefits                                                                            

The Calgary Stampede offers a unique and exciting work environment, an excellent total compensation package and the opportunity for advancement and employee training.

To Apply

To apply, please submit your resume via the “Apply now” button on the top right.

All applicants are thanked in advance and only those selected for interviews will be contacted.