Event Manager (parental leave contract)

The Walrus; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 63,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Full benefits after 6 months

Half-day Fridays (summer)

Winter break (week off)

Laptop provided

Free Walrus subscription

Discounted rate for family and friends

Job summary

The Walrus is seeking an Event Manager on a parental leave contract to oversee revenue-generating events produced by The Walrus Lab. Based in Toronto with travel across Canada, you will manage events from conception to completion, build strong client relationships, and collaborate with marketing, sponsorship, and logistics teams.

You will support planning for The Walrus Gala, participate in weekly marketing meetings, and ensure CRM and project management tools are used daily.

Qualifications

• Candidates should be able to build and maintain client relationships.
• Ability to anticipate project needs and manage multiple events from conception to completion.
• Strong deadline management and coordination with multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• Set workback schedules with partners or sponsors to meet deadlines.
• Research topics and curate content for events.
• Recruit and liaise with speakers to develop presentations.
• Produce events from content gathering to speaker line-ups and scripts.
• Manage front-of-house and back-of-house services during events.

Tools

CRM database

Project management tools

Job description

Job Posting: Event Manager (parental leave contract)

The Walrus provokes new thinking and sparks conversation on matters vital to Canada. As a registered charity, we publish independent, fact-based journalism across platforms; produce national, ideas-focused events, including our flagship series The Walrus Talks; and train emerging storytellers through our fellowship program. The Walrus is invested in the idea that a healthy society relies on informed citizens.

The Walrus Lab creates standout custom content, stewards nationally recognized awards, convenes public and private events, produces original podcasts, and delivers rigorous writing, editing, and fact-checking for leading brands in Canada. Every project is built with editorial care, strategic purpose, and every partnership does more than meet a brief. Profits from our work directly support the award-winning journalism of The Walrus.

The primary role of the event manager is to ensure that all the revenue-generating events produced by The Walrus Lab are meticulously managed and delivered on target to meet and exceed organizational objectives as well as partner expectations. The event manager will support business development efforts by building and maintaining strong client relationships, and is expected to anticipate project needs, discern work priorities, manage events from conception to completion, and meet all deadlines.

The secondary role of the event manager is to attend weekly marketing meetings, and function as a primary point of contact for the marketing team. In addition to liaising regularly with the head of logistics, maintaining digital work management tools, and advocating for the needs of events. There is also a requirement to help in the planning and executing of The Walrus Gala, our largest annual fundraising event.

Travel across Canada to deliver events in major cities will be required. This job is based in Toronto, and the successful candidate is expected to work events hosted by The Walrus and work from the Toronto office regularly.

Responsibilities

Content and Event

• Set workback schedules and meet all deadlines in collaboration with the event partner or sponsor.
• Research topics and curate content that is fresh, innovative, exciting, and relevant.
• Stay plugged in to event trends and what is on the minds of Canadians while on the lookout for event topics and speakers.
• Recruit and liaise with event speakers to develop and fine‑tune presentations to generate high quality and engaging material.
• Produce the event by gathering content and determining speaker line‑ups.
• Write and edit event scripts for hosts, moderators, and speakers.
• Be the point of contact for speakers and guests, from event conception to completion.
• Liaise with speakers and guests about technological and logistical needs, as well as necessary accommodations.
• Perform front‑of‑house and back‑of‑house services, including overseeing green‑room hospitality, sound checks, show walk‑throughs, and on‑stage presentations.

Marketing and Media

• Write and prepare event programs and materials.
• Create and execute publicity and marketing campaigns for each event in collaboration with the marketing manager.
• Manage media outreach, earned media coverage, and develop external promotional opportunities in collaboration with the marketing manager.

Audience

• Ensure a diverse audience and reach attendance goals.
• Manage event registration and curated invitation lists.
• Prepare and execute exit surveys and post‑event partner reports.
• Foster positive audience relations

General

• Represent The Walrus brand and create opportunities to bring The Walrus brand to life.
• Build and nurture relationships with speakers and partners for future opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal departments to ensure alignment with strategic plans and delivery.
• Ensure CRM database and various project management tools are maintained and data are current.
• Oversee and mentor volunteers and interns in collaboration with the director of sponsorship and partnerships.
• Be agile and able to adapt quickly to changes from sponsors and an ever‑evolving events schedule.

Operations

• Be a strategic point of contact on events marketing and communications for the marketing manager.
• Attend marketing meetings and advocate for the needs of events.
• Coordinate with the Head of Logistics to align event logistics against agreed workback schedules.
• Ensure CRM database and digital work management tools are used daily and collaboratively with other departments.

Compensation

This is an 18-month contract role covering a parental leave, with a start date in mid-to-late

October 2026. The compensation package includes a competitive base salary of $63,000 - $68,000 and paid vacation. After six months, you will be eligible for our full benefits package consisting of medical, mental health, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; and an employee and family assistance program. We offer half‑day summer Fridays and a week off over the winter holiday season.

The Walrus supports flexible, hybrid work, including a collaborative, open‑office environment in downtown east Toronto. A laptop is provided, along with a free subscription to the print or digital edition of The Walrus, and a deeply discounted rate for family and friends.

The Walrus envisions a future in which public discourse in Canada is thoughtful, fact based, and accessible to all. Every role at The Walrus plays an important part in this work.

The Walrus is committed to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace. We value employment equity and strongly encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, and other racialized people; people with disabilities; people of all genders; and the LGBTQIA2S+ community. If you require any accommodation in the recruitment process, please let us know by email at [e-mail].