Director, Event Conversions & Logistics

Vancouver Convention Centre; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Vancouver Convention Centre is seeking a strategic, people-focused Director, Event Conversions & Logistics to lead teams responsible for transforming the venue and ensuring operational excellence before, during, and after every event.

Reporting to the Assistant General Manager of BC Place, you will guide Event Conversions, Venue Logistics, and Environmental Services, delivering high-performance results through people, processes, and technology in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, Event Management, or a related discipline preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Post-secondary education or certification in a trade, logistics, occupational health and safety, or project management is considered an asset.
• Training in incident command, emergency management, or workplace safety is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction, operating model, and service standards for Event Conversions & Logistics.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Senior Manager, Event Conversions & Logistics, Operations Managers, and Manager, Environmental Services.
• Establish clear accountabilities, performance expectations, and operational processes across the department.
• Provide strategic oversight for building conversions, event move-ins and move-outs, venue set-ups, equipment movement, loading dock operations, and related logistics.
• Ensure conversion and logistics plans align with event requirements, client commitments, operational needs, safety standards, and event timelines.
• Develop operational strategies that enable the venue to prepare, convert, and reset efficiently, safely, and consistently.
• Ensure appropriate workforce, equipment, infrastructure, and logistical resources are available to support successful event delivery.
• Partner with Engineering & Maintenance, Events, Capital Projects, and other stakeholders to coordinate operational requirements and event execution.
• Oversee Environmental Services strategies and standards to support venue readiness and guest experience.
• Develop and manage budgets, labour forecasts, procurement strategies, and contractor relationships.
• Establish key performance metrics and reporting to measure operational effectiveness, labour utilization, service levels, and conversion performance.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives, including process redesign, automation, technology adoption, and operational best practices.
• Lead organizational change and identify opportunities to enhance efficiency and optimize resources.
• Serve as a senior operational liaison for clients, partners, contractors, and internal stakeholders during major and high-profile events.
• Foster a positive, accountable, and collaborative culture focused on safety, service excellence, operational readiness, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Operational leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Communication

Problem solving

Change management

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Trade certification/education

Job description

From sold-out concerts and championship games to major conventions and exhibitions, every event starts with a venue that is ready to perform. We're looking for a strategic and people-focused Director, Event Conversions & Logistics to lead the teams responsible for transforming our venue and ensuring operational excellence before, during, and after every event.

Reporting to the Assistant General Manager of BC Place, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for Event Conversions, Venue Logistics, and Environmental Services, guiding a high-performing team while driving continuous improvement across people, processes, technology, and operational delivery.

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned operations leader who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments and is passionate about building strong teams, improving efficiency, and delivering exceptional results.

What You'll Do

• Set the strategic direction, operating model, and service standards for Event Conversions & Logistics.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Senior Manager, Event Conversions & Logistics, Operations Managers, and Manager, Environmental Services.
• Establish clear accountabilities, performance expectations, and operational processes across the department.
• Provide strategic oversight for building conversions, event move-ins and move-outs, venue set-ups, equipment movement, loading dock operations, and related logistics.
• Ensure conversion and logistics plans align with event requirements, client commitments, operational needs, safety standards, and event timelines.
• Develop operational strategies that enable the venue to prepare, convert, and reset efficiently, safely, and consistently.
• Ensure appropriate workforce, equipment, infrastructure, and logistical resources are available to support successful event delivery.
• Partner with Engineering & Maintenance, Events, Capital Projects, and other stakeholders to coordinate operational requirements and event execution.
• Oversee Environmental Services strategies and standards to support venue readiness and guest experience.
• Develop and manage budgets, labour forecasts, procurement strategies, and contractor relationships.
• Establish key performance metrics and reporting to measure operational effectiveness, labour utilization, service levels, and conversion performance.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives, including process redesign, automation, technology adoption, and operational best practices.
• Lead organizational change and identify opportunities to enhance efficiency and optimize resources.
• Serve as a senior operational liaison for clients, partners, contractors, and internal stakeholders during major and high-profile events.
• Foster a positive, accountable, and collaborative culture focused on safety, service excellence, operational readiness, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, Event Management, or a related discipline preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Post-secondary education or certification in a trade, logistics, occupational health and safety, or project management is considered an asset.
• Training in incident command, emergency management, or workplace safety is an asset.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in event conversions, venue operations, logistics, facilities operations, or a related field.
• 5+ years of leadership experience within a large, complex venue, facility, or operational environment.
• Proven success leading multiple teams, unionized workforces, contractors, and operational service providers.
• Extensive experience planning and executing large-scale event conversions and venue operations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop operational processes, performance standards, budgets, and workforce strategies.
• Strong understanding of building logistics, equipment movement, loading dock operations, and event set-up requirements.
• Experience leading change management and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required by the event schedule.

You'll Thrive in This Role If You;

• Enjoy leading teams through complex operational challenges.
• See opportunities to improve processes and create efficiencies.
• Balance strategic thinking with hands‑on operational leadership.
• Build strong relationships and bring people together to achieve common goals.
• Take pride in creating safe, well‑organized, and high‑performing environments that support memorable event experiences.

The salary range for this position is $120,449 to $150,000