Events & Catering Specialist

COMPASS GROUP CANADA; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Group Canada seeks an Events & Catering Specialist to plan, coordinate, and execute a wide range of events including in-person, hybrid, and virtual formats. You will manage bookings, room setups, AV, and food and beverage services.

You will serve as the primary client contact, develop detailed event plans, manage budgets, and ensure seamless delivery from planning through post-event evaluation. The role requires strong organizational, communication, and vendor-management skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum three years of experience in event coordination, conference services, or a similar role.
• Proven ability to manage multiple events and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing event logistics, budgeting, and vendor relationships.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with proactive issue resolution.
• Customer-focused mindset with commitment to delivering exceptional experiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with event management software; EMS experience is an asset.
• Highly adaptable, detail-oriented, and able to thrive in changing environment.
• Ability to manage projects with lead times ranging from several weeks to multiple months.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute a wide range of events and conferences (in-person, hybrid, virtual).
• Manage event bookings, room setups, AV, and food & beverage services.
• Develop and maintain detailed event plans, timelines, logistics, and documentation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and stakeholders throughout the planning process.
• Provide expert recommendations and innovative solutions to enhance attendee experience.
• Build relationships with internal teams (Catering, AV, Facilities) and external vendors.
• Ensure consistent communication to facilitate seamless event execution.
• Manage event budgets, track expenses, and perform reconciliations.
• Oversee full lifecycle of events from planning through post-event evaluation.
• Identify and resolve issues proactively during planning and execution.
• Coordinate multi-day meetings, receptions, conferences, and executive events.
• Use Microsoft Teams and other event tech to support virtual/hybrid meetings.
• Monitor event performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Skills

Event coordination

Communication skills

Project management

Budgeting

Vendor management

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Event Management / Hospitality / Business Administration

Tools

EMS experience

Microsoft Office

Event management software

Job description

The salary range for this position is $60,000-$70,000. Final compensation will be determined based on relevant skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, eligible employees may be entitled to other elements of total compensation, which may include group benefits, employer RRSP contributions, and discretionary bonus or incentive programs, where applicable to the role. We are committed to offering competitive compensation and comply with all applicable pay transparency legislation. Further details regarding our total rewards program will be shared by the Talent Acquisition team during the hiring process. Canadian work experience is not a requirement for this role. Please note that artificial intelligence–based tools may be used at certain stages of the recruitment and applicant screening process. This is a posting for an existing job vacancy.

Now, if you were to come on board as one of our Events & Catering Specialist,we'd ask you to do the following for us:

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute a wide range of events and conferences, including in-person, hybrid, and virtual formats.
• Manage event bookings and coordinate room setups, staging, audiovisual requirements, and food and beverage services.
• Develop and maintain detailed event plans, timelines, logistics, and event documentation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and stakeholders throughout the event planning process.
• Provide expert recommendations and innovative solutions to enhance the attendee experience.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams, including Catering, AV, and Facilities, as well as external vendors.
• Ensure consistent communication with all stakeholders to facilitate seamless event execution.
• Manage event budgets, track expenses, and complete financial reconciliations.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of events, from initial planning through post-event evaluation.
• Identify and proactively resolve issues that may arise during planning and execution.
• Coordinate multi-day meetings, receptions, conferences, and executive events while ensuring smooth service delivery.
• Utilize Microsoft Teams and other event technologies to support virtual and hybrid meetings.
• Monitor event performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Escalate operational concerns and event-related issues as required to leadership.
• Deliver exceptional service and create memorable experiences for employees, clients, and executive stakeholders.

Think you have what it takes to be our Events & Catering Specialist? We're committed to hiring the best talent for the role. Here's how we'll know you'll be successful in the role:

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum three years of experience in event coordination, conference services, or a similar role.
• Proven ability to manage multiple events and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing event logistics, budgeting, and vendor relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and make sound decisions with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to issue resolution.
• Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to delivering exceptional client and guest experiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with event management software; EMS experience is considered an asset.
• Highly adaptable, detail-oriented, and able to thrive in an ever-changing environment.
• Ability to manage projects with lead times ranging from several weeks to multiple months while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• A passion for creating engaging, high-quality events that exceed expectations.