Supervisor Events & Community Development

Town of Oakville; Oakville; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government municipality is seeking a Supervisor for Events & Community Development to lead the Town’s special events portfolio. This role involves overseeing event delivery and community development initiatives. Qualifications include a four-year degree in event management and five years of leadership experience in a municipal setting. The position emphasizes strong communication skills and the ability to manage risks and ensure compliance. The role provides competitive compensation and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Inclusive work environment

Competitive compensation

Opportunities for advancement

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience in event planning.
• Proven experience managing complex event logistics.
• Demonstrated ability to apply equity and inclusion principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of Council-approved plans for special events.
• Oversee Town-led events for safety and accessibility.
• Support capacity-building initiatives for community-led events.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Event planning

Community development

Risk management

Education

Four-year post-secondary education in event management or related field

Job description

Overview

Permanent Full Time (Non-Union). Open to all current Town of Oakville employees and external applicants.

Closing Date: Applications for this position must be received at by no later than 11:59 p.m. on February 25, 2026. This job posting is for an existing vacancy and therefore will be filled accordingly.

Located on Lake Ontario within the Greater Toronto Area, Oakville is a rapidly growing municipality with a vibrant and dynamic community, making it a great place to live, work, and play.

Benefits

• An inclusive work environment with excellent community facilities conveniently located
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• A focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance and supporting employees
• Opportunities to work within a community dedicated to providing quality service to residents
• Opportunities for advancement and professional development
• The chance to work with leading-edge technology and the latest business application tools
• The opportunity to work with great people in a supportive and fun environment

Role Summary

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Cultural Services, the Supervisor, Events & Community Development provides leadership for the Town’s special events portfolio, advancing Oakville’s approach to event support and delivery through the implementation of Council-approved plans that contribute to a vibrant and livable Oakville. The Supervisor also leads the Town’s community development team, with a focus on enabling and supporting community-led initiatives that strengthen Oakville’s civic life. This includes leadership of municipal grant programs (e.g., Community Events Grant Program and Community Activation Grant) and oversight of the Recreation and Culture Department’s volunteer program.

What can I expect to do in this role?

• Lead the implementation of Council-approved plans (e.g., the Special Events Plan), translating strategic direction into coordinated, actionable work plans under the direction of the Senior Manager.
• Provide oversight of Town-led events to ensure alignment with standards for safety, accessibility, equity, sustainability, fiscal responsibility, and public experience.
• Strengthen and maintain the Town’s corporate event delivery framework, including event intake, permitting, evaluation, and service coordination processes, to support a positive customer experience.
• Provide high-level oversight of event risk management, site feasibility, operational readiness, and emergency planning in collaboration with internal departments and external agencies.
• Provide strategic direction for capacity-building initiatives that support inclusive, high-quality community-led events and initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of tools, guidance, and supports that help community organizations navigate municipal processes.
• Lead implementation and stewardship of partnership approaches identified through departmental planning, supporting consistent, sustainable, and collaborative relationships with community interest holders.
• Apply an equity and inclusion lens to community development practices to ensure municipal supports are accessible and responsive.
• Lead the development, implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of municipal granting programs, including intake, evaluation, allocation, monitoring, and reporting.
• Support sustainable funding approaches for events, including sponsorship and grant opportunities, in alignment with Council-approved plans and departmental priorities.
• Lead and oversee the department volunteer program, ensuring effective tools, procedures, training, and risk management practices are in place.
• Lead and direct staff and volunteer work planning across the events and community development portfolios, including assigning work, setting priorities, monitoring performance, and supporting development.
• Monitor performance, emerging trends, and risks across the events and community development portfolios, supporting continuous improvement.
• Oversee administrative and financial processes in alignment with corporate policies, procedures, and service standards.
• Support the preparation of Council reports, briefing notes, and internal communications related to events, grants, and community initiatives.

Qualifications

• Four-year post-secondary education in event management, arts administration and cultural management, community development, recreation, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience in event planning and community development, preferably in a municipal setting, including supervision of staff and volunteers, management of complex event logistics, cross-departmental coordination, and support of community partners.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to prepare reports, briefing materials, and correspondence for a range of audiences.
• Proven leadership and organizational skills, including the ability to build relationships, set priorities, and lead teams through change.
• Demonstrated experience in:
• Leading large-scale or complex public events
• Community partnership development and interest holder engagement
• Risk assessment, emergency planning, and regulatory compliance
• Budget oversight and financial accountability
• Applying equity, accessibility, and inclusion principles to program and service delivery

Core Knowledge / Supervisor Competencies

• Strategic Thinking – innovating through analysis and ideas
• Engagement – mobilizing people, organizations, partners
• Management excellence – delivering results through action management, people management and financial and asset management
• Accountability and Respect – serving with integrity and respect

Click to view the competencies for this Supervisor level.

Corporate Values

Teamwork, accountability, dedication, honesty, innovation and respect

DATED: February 4, 2026

This job profile reflects the general requirements necessary to perform the principal functions of the job. This does not include all of the work requirements of the job. Applicants are required to demonstrate through their application and in the interview process that their qualifications match those specified. Applicants may also be required to undergo testing.

We thank all applicants and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.