Special Events Coordinator

University of Waterloo; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 56,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Waterloo is seeking a Special Events Coordinator within the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association - Community and Events to design, coordinate, and deliver campus-wide programs and events for undergraduate students.

You will manage volunteers, negotiate contracts for entertainment, and oversee budgeting and risk management to ensure impactful student experiences across university events.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in a related discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Several years’ experience with large scale event planning and management, with at least 2 years in a management/leadership position.
• Experience successfully recruiting and managing staff or volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to be creative and engaging in event/idea generation.
• Previous experience effectively booking live entertainment and negotiating contracts.
• Previous experience in reaching targets set for sponsorship of events.
• Several years’ experience with program assessment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver large-scale campus-wide events with 5000+ attendees and develop programs for undergraduate students.
• Research campus programming options, stay current with industry trends, collaborate with other institutions and unions.
• Negotiate with agencies to book performers within budget and enhance student experiences.
• Create clear event documentation including objectives, risks, resources, timelines and evaluation metrics.
• Ensure diversity in programming to maximize reach and participation.
• Perform post-event evaluations and identify improvements for future events.
• Lead all Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association events as assigned (meetings, openings, anniversaries).
• Recruit, onboard and retain 100+ student volunteers; empower volunteers to lead aspects of events.
• Coordinate volunteer training and organize volunteer appreciation events.
• Raise sponsorship dollars and materials, work with campus stakeholders, maintain vendor relationships.
• Collaborate with Marketing Specialist to promote programming effectively.
• Prepare annual programming plan and budget of $100k+ for senior management review.
• Conduct risk assessments for major programming and develop Emergency Action Plans.

Skills

Event planning

Volunteer management

Budgeting

Negotiation

Sponsorship

Program assessment

Education

Post-secondary degree

Job description

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day. Learn more about our recruitment process.

Job Requisition ID: 2026-03377 Time Type: Full time Employee Group: Staff Job Category: Event Management Employment Type: Permanent Department: Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association - Community and Events Hiring Range: $56,494.16 - $70,617.70 Posting Information: This posting is for an existing vacancy. The internal posting deadline for this position is October 29, 2026 at 11:59PM

Job Description

Primary Purpose The Special Events Coordinator is responsible for developing, coordinating, and delivering diverse programs and large-scale campus wide events aimed at enhancing the student life experience for the undergraduate students on campus.

Key Accountabilities

• Responsible for delivering successful large scale (5000+ attendees) campus wide events with positive attendee experiences and programs tailored for the students at the University of Waterloo
• Researches current campus programming options by keeping up with industry trends, collaborating with other institutions/unions and attending conferences/exhibitions
• Negotiates with agencies to book performers where contract costs stay within budget and positively impact the experience of our students
• Develops clear Event documentation highlighting objectives, risk, resource requirements, people requirements and timelines and evaluation metrics
• Ensures diversity in programming efforts to maximize the reach and participation of efforts throughout the year
• Performs post event evaluation to highlight and review results of programming efforts, overall impact, and identify areas of improvement for future events
• Leads all corporate events as assigned by the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association including (general meetings, grand openings, anniversaries/celebrations etc.)

Student Volunteer Management

• Responsible for the recruitment, onboarding, and retention of 100+ student volunteers to help with planning and delivery of programs & events
• Ensures student input is gathered during development of events by enabling student volunteer to champion efforts and incorporated into the overall efforts
• Engages students by empowering them to take on various responsibilities with respect to the execution, marketing, and planning of special events
• Ensures volunteers are provided with effective training and development programs and equipped with the right tools and resources to meet deliverables
• Organizes and executes a volunteer appreciation event for students directly involved in the executed events

Relationship Management & Outreach

• Raises $40k+ annually in sponsorship dollars and materials with off campus businesses & partners to enhance programming efforts
• Works with key stakeholders and partners across campus to (plant ops, bookings, safety office, grounds, athletics etc…) throughout event development and delivery efforts
• Maintains positive relationships with vendors that we purchase/book good, services or equipment from
• Works closely with the Marketing Specialist to ensure programming efforts are effectively marketed and developed successfully for the current student market and their needs/wants

Budgeting & Procurement

• Prepares annual programming plan and budget of $100k+ to senior management for review and board/council approval
• Ensures all submitted expenses are within budget and revenue projections are met for sponsorships & ticket sales
• Responsible for purchasing good, equipment and services for programming and ensuring the organization is purchasing efforts result in best value for money
• Responsible for pricing events and programs to ensure adequate cost recovery and participation

Risk Management

• Responsible for completing risk assessment for all major programming efforts highlighting areas of risk, mitigation efforts and overall risk factor for review of senior management prior to any programs/events being booked
• Ensures all major events/programs have comprehensive Emergency Action Plans (EAP) Training volunteers to efficiently and safely execute emergency action plan protocols at times of need
• Work with partners to ensure risk is mitigated at all events (Campus Response, Safety Office, Police Services)

Required Qualifications

Education

Post-secondary degree in a related discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience

• Several years’ experience with large scale event planning and management, with at least 2 years in a management/leadership position.
• Experience successfully recruiting and managing staff or volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to be creative and engaging in event/idea generation.
• Previous experience effectively booking live entertainment and negotiating contracts.
• Previous experience in reaching targets set for sponsorship of events.
• Several years’ experience with program assessment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to relate to University student experiences is essential
• Knowledge of the campus environment at the University Level and some knowledge of post-secondary education landscape.
• Excellent time management
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to work within a budget with excellent planning skills
• Ability to raise sponsorship dollars and negotiate contracts
• Excellent organization skills
• Excellent leadership skills
• Ability to work well within a team environment
• Excellent communication skills (written & oral)

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada. The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

At the University of Waterloo, we think differently, we act with purpose, and we work together. We advance learning and knowledge through teaching, research, and scholarship, nationally and internationally, in an environment of free expression and enquiry. We are a leading global research-intensive university, renowned for entrepreneurship and innovation, providing co-op and work-integrated learning at scale with impact. Learn more about Waterloo