Senior Manager, Conference and Events

Ontario Dental Association (ODA); Canada; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits plan

Defined-benefit pension

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

A leading dental association in Canada is seeking a Senior Manager for Conference and Events to oversee one of the largest health professional conference portfolios. This role involves planning, executing, and managing complex events, maintaining budgets, and fostering relationships with sponsors and exhibitors. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in event management and will lead a team to ensure thriving events that align with organizational objectives. A commitment to creating a positive experience for members is crucial.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in large-scale conference and event management.
• 5+ years demonstrated people-management experience.
• Proven success managing multi-million-dollar budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of events ensuring success.
• Develop and maintain relationships with sponsors and exhibitors.
• Manage event budgets and ensure financial accountability.

Skills

Leadership

Event Management

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Undergraduate degree or College degree in business, event/hospitality management, or related field

Tools

Event management platforms

Job description

Senior Manager, Conference and Events – Ontario Dental Association (ODA)

Join to apply for the Senior Manager, Conference and Events role at Ontario Dental Association (ODA).

Opportunity

The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) is seeking an experienced and innovative Senior Manager, Conference & Events to implement and help lead one of Canada’s largest health professional conference portfolios, including the Annual Spring Meeting (ASM) — Canada’s premier dental conference. With over 12,000 attendees and hundreds of exhibitors, the ASM is both a flagship member benefit and a vital revenue generator for the ODA.

Who We Are

The Ontario Dental Association represents over 90% of the dentists in Ontario.

• Promote the highest standards of dental care.
• Work with governments, the private sector, and other health‑care professionals.
• Advocate on public policies that affect the practice of dentistry and the oral health of people in Ontario.
• Provide trusted lifelong learning and professional development for members and their teams.
• Raise public awareness of how important oral hygiene is and its connection to overall health.
• Provide our member‑dentists with programs, services, and products to support their role as leaders of the oral health care team.

What You Will Do

As Senior Manager, Conference & Events, you are responsible for working with a team to ensure the successful delivery and ongoing development of ODA’s event portfolio in the following six areas.

Conference & Event Leadership and Execution

• Planning, development, and execution of the ASM and other ODA events.
• Work with a team to execute efficiently and effectively in all event areas including program development, logistics, production, registration, speaker management, sponsorships, exhibits, marketing, food and beverage, and vendor relationships.
• Ensure flawless delivery of high‑profile conferences that uphold ODA’s reputation and member trust.
• Manage multi‑million‑dollar event budgets in alignment with approved strategies and oversight frameworks; ensure financial accountability, transparency, and value delivery.
• Negotiate contracts with venues, suppliers, and vendors; identify, assess, and mitigate event‑related risks.
• Establish clear operating plans, timelines, and playbooks; lead cross‑functional readiness reviews.
• Coach, manage, and work alongside internal event professionals and temporary staff, fostering collaboration, professional development, and high performance while remaining actively engaged in hands‑on execution.
• Engage, advise, and inspire volunteers, committees, and advisory groups who contribute to ODA events.

Sponsorship & Exhibitor Relations

• Build and maintain strong, long‑term relationships with exhibitors, sponsors, partners, and broader dental industry.
• Develop and implement innovative sponsorship opportunities and exhibitor experiences that deliver measurable ROI.
• Implement an integrated event‑tech stack (registration, mobile app, speaker management, scouting, exhibits management, contract management, analytics) and automate high‑volume workflows.
• Repurpose content and extend engagement year‑round (digital sessions, on‑demand CE, highlights).
• Partner with Education, Communications, Membership, Advocacy and Component Society Relations to ensure events amplify organizational objectives.
• Contribute to positioning ASM and other events as effective platforms for member engagement, education, advocacy, and visibility.

What We Are Looking For

• Undergraduate degree or College degree in business, event/hospitality management, communications, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in large‑scale conference, trade show, and event management.
• 5+ years demonstrated people‑management experience (hiring, work planning, coaching, performance management, and building a healthy team culture).
• Proven success managing multi‑million‑dollar budgets including forecasting, revenue strategies (sponsorships, exhibits, ticketing) and reporting, complex logistics, risk, and vendor negotiations.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with a track record of building engaged high‑performing teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in sponsorship and exhibitor relations.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship‑building skills.
• Curiosity and creativity to explore new event models, formats, and technologies.
• Professional designation preferred (e.g., CMP, CMM, and/or CEM)
• Extensive vendor negotiation & contracting RFPs, SOWs, service‑level agreements; venue and hotel blocks; understanding of attrition/indemnity/force majeure and insurance requirements.

Assets

• Experience with AI applications in event management and marketing; analytics and KPI dashboards.
• Prior experience in associations or non‑profit settings.

What Success Looks Like (First 12–18 Months)

• Leading a confident and seamless onboarding into the role, supporting operational continuity, process improvements, and ways of working while maintaining stability through change, with minimal disruption to the planning and execution of the ASM.
• Building and sustaining strong relationships with vendors, sponsors, volunteers, speakers, and internal teams, positioning yourself as a trusted and visible event leader for the profession’s flagship event.
• Meaningfully contributing to the 2026 conference and the delivery of a flawlessly executed 2027 conference while ensuring member and exhibitor satisfaction, operational efficiency, and revenue objectives are met.
• Introducing fresh, creative approaches that enhance the participant experience and keep the conference relevant and engaging for diverse audiences, including younger members within the approved strategic direction.
• Demonstrating comfort with technology and digital tools (including event management platforms and emerging applications such as AI) to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

Working at the ODA

• This is a full‑time, permanent position. In addition to a competitive salary, you will have access to a comprehensive benefits plan that includes dental, a defined‑benefit (DB) pension, and plenty of vacation days, personal days, and a health spending account.
• The position is ideally suited for those living within commuting distance to our offices in downtown Toronto as the events team works at least two days per week in the office together. The ODA offers flexible work arrangements, combining remote and onsite work (hybrid). Located in the heart of Yorkville, parks, transit, and everything downtown Toronto has to offer.
• The ODA is proud to be one of the GTA’s Top Employers 2026 – we think that says a lot about the culture and work environment we’ve built over the last 150+ years. We are committed to growth and learning: every position in our organization presents both challenges and opportunities, and we encourage all our staff to develop themselves within and beyond their individual roles. Through our employee recognition program, we ensure that support and opportunities are always within reach.
• Based in Toronto, the role offers a flexible hybrid arrangement, with travel required for site inspections, supplier meetings, and event delivery (potentially 4‑6 times per year based on events)

To Apply

Please include a cover letter that helps us get to know you — your background, your accomplishments, and why you believe this role is suitable for you based on the skills and competencies we have described. The ODA confirms that AI tools are not used to screen or assess applications. Every application is reviewed by a member of our HR team.

To help keep things organized, please submit your cover letter and résumé together in one PDF document to [e-mail] by 5:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

All applications will be acknowledged, and selected candidates will be contacted for a preliminary discovery interview, typically within seven (7) business days of applying. We know that suitability for a role goes both ways. You may have other questions, so feel free to connect with us before applying. The posting will remain active on our website until our search process is complete. We anticipate scheduling the first round of formal interviews for the week of January 12th, 2026.

The Ontario Dental Association is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Job Details

• Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
• Employment type: Full‑time
• Job function: Management and Manufacturing
• Industries: Non‑profit Organizations, Health and Human Services, and Public Health