Senior Manager, Event Operations

Vancouver Convention Centre; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 96,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

Hybrid environment

BC Public Service Pension Plan

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Vancouver Convention Centre is seeking a Senior Manager, Event Operations to lead the Event Operations Team and drive strategic operational excellence from planning through execution. You will collaborate with the Director and Events team to align resources, processes, and client expectations across the venue.

The role emphasizes people leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement to deliver outstanding events while balancing multiple priorities in a hybrid work

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Hospitality, Tourism, Event Management, or related field.
• 10–13 years of progressive leadership experience leading high-performing teams.
• Extensive experience managing diverse, complex events within convention centres or large hospitality contexts.
• Proven ability to lead operational excellence in fast-paced, customer-focused settings.
• People-first leadership style with coaching and development focus.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft 365 and digital collaboration tools.
• Knowledge of Momentus and Dayforce; CAD floorplan interpretation a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, people-centered leadership for the Event Operations Team.
• Partner with the Director to shape long-term operational strategies and service delivery models.
• Collaborate with Workforce Optimization for balanced scheduling and resourcing.
• Act as SME for event operations to support Business Development and Event Planning teams.
• Liaise between Event Operations and internal departments to align requirements with service commitments.
• Support seamless transitions from planning to delivery with the Senior Manager, Events.
• Build relationships with stakeholders including City of Vancouver Special Events Office oversight.
• Escalate and balance client needs, operations capabilities, and organizational priorities.
• Develop and maintain operational resources and client-facing materials.
• Analyze performance and feedback to drive continuous improvement of tools and workflows.
• Ensure accessibility, inclusion, sustainability, safety, and hospitality best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

People management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, Hospitality, Tourism, Event Management, or related field

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Microsoft 365

Momentus

Dayforce

AutoCAD

Job description

Shape how exceptional events come to life. The Vancouver Convention Centre is excited to share that we are hiring a Senior Manager, Event Operations. As Senior Manager, Event Operations, you'll lead teams, improve processes, and create outstanding experiences from planning through execution.

The Senior Manager, Event Operations is responsible for leading the delivery of events, ensuring seamless execution and exceptional experiences for clients and guests. The role provides strategic direction and operational oversight across the event lifecycle, while overseeing the development and management of operational resources and client-facing tools that simplify processes, enhance the client experience, and ensure our venue remains innovative and easy to do business with.

The Senior Manager leads the Event Operations team, establishing priorities, setting clear expectations, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, hospitality, and continuous improvement. This role supports team performance and development while encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving to achieve outstanding event outcomes.

In partnership with the Senior Manager, Events, this role helps advance the organization's client-centric event delivery approach, ensuring alignment between hospitality, operational readiness, and business objectives. By leveraging client feedback and operational insights, the Senior Manager drives continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen service delivery and operational effectiveness. As a member of the Vancouver Convention Centre Leadership Team, this role works closely with the Director to support the strategic direction, performance, and evolution of the Event Operations function.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Provide strategic, people-centered leadership for the Event Operations Team, fostering a culture of clarity, collaboration, trust, accountability, empowerment, and hospitality
• Partner with the Director to shape long-term operational strategies, tools, processes, workforce planning approaches, and service delivery models that support organizational objectives
• Collaborate with Workforce Optimization to develop balanced, people-first schedules and resourcing
• Serve as event operations subject matter expert, supporting Business Development and Event Planning teams with guidance on venue capabilities and execution strategies
• Act as primary liaison between Event Operations and internal departments, ensuring operational requirements, client expectations, and service commitments are clearly aligned and communicated
• Partner with the Senior Manager, Events to ensure seamless transitions from event planning to delivery
• Build and maintain strong relationships with event stakeholders including oversight of the relationship with the City of Vancouver Special Events Office
• Serve as senior escalation point for complex operational challenges balancing client and event needs, operational capabilities, and organizational priorities to achieve successful outcomes
• Oversee the development and maintenance of operational resources and client-facing materials that simplify processes and make us easy to do business with
• Analyze operational performance, feedback, and lessons learned to identify opportunities for continuous improvement to tools, workflows, training, communication, and collaboration
• Ensure operations practices advance accessibility, inclusion, sustainability, safety, operational excellence, and hospitality
• Represent the Convention Centre within industry networks, professional associations, and external stakeholder groups

WHAT YOU WILL BRING:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Hospitality, Tourism, Event Management, or a related field preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• 10-13 years of progressive leadership experience, with a proven track record of developing and leading high-performing teams across junior to senior levels.
• Extensive experience managing diverse, complex events within convention centres, hospitality, or other event-driven environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead operational excellence in fast-paced, customer-focused settings while balancing multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• A people-first leadership style, including coaching, talent development, succession planning, and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft 365; comfortable with digital collaboration tools
• Knowledge of Momentus and Dayforce.
• Ability to interpret CAD floorplans; AutoCAD experience an asset.
• Exceptional relationship-building abilities, fostering trust and collaboration across teams, departments, clients, and external partners.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to effectively engage stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities, addressing challenges with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment.
• Strong organizational and strategic thinking skills, balancing operational priorities while maintaining focus on long-term business objectives.
• A collaborative approach that promotes accountability, continuous improvement, and shared success.

The salary range for this position is $96,441- $120,551.

• Offers will be in line with PavCo’s internal pay equity and qualified candidate’s experience and education.
• Salary discussion and overall compensation package will be presented during initial phone interviews.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Compensation: A salary that reflects your skills and experience.
• Health & Wellness from Day One: Comprehensive benefits including health coverage and wellness support starting on your first day.
• Hybrid environment for eligible positions.
• BC Public Service Pension Plan.

We Appreciate Your Interest in PavCo and This Position

At PavCo, we are committed to building high-performance teams. Our selection process is thorough, and all candidate applications are reviewed. Should your qualifications and experience meet the requirements of this role, a member of our talent acquisition team will contact you.