Job Title: Events Operations Manager

Department: Food, Beverage and Event Strategy - Special Events

Position Type: Permanent, FT

Hours: 40 hours per week

Application Deadline: January 5, 2026

What we offer:

• Flexible work arrangements
• Comprehensive Benefits package includes Extended Health Care, Dental Benefits, Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, and Employee and Family Assistant Program (EFAP)
• Employer-matched Pension Plan at 5%
• Generous paid time off, including Vacation days, Sick Time
• Working in a beautiful park setting
• Free entrance to the Park, including to our many public special events
• Employee discounts on food and retail items and free parking

Who We Are: Heritage Park is Canada's largest living history museum and offers visitors a chance to experience life in Western Canada from the 1860s to the early 1950s. The park features historical buildings, costumed interpreters, working antiques, and various exhibits that provide insight into the region's past.

Job Overview: Reporting to the Director of Food, Beverage & Event Strategies, the Events Operations Manager is responsible for the strategic planning and operational delivery of Heritage Park’s public and signature event portfolio. This role ensures events are well-designed, efficiently run, financially sustainable, and delivered with world-class execution. The Events Operations Manager works in partnership with the Director to support event budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and post-event financial reporting to ensure strong return on investment and alignment with organizational priorities.

The Manager leads a team of event professionals, working collaboratively across the Park and with external partners to create engaging, mission-aligned experiences that elevate Heritage Park’s reputation as a premier cultural and entertainment venue.

Responsibilities: Strategy & Experience Design

• Lead annual planning and development of public event concepts that drive attendance, revenue, and brand positioning, with accountability for financial and mission-based outcomes
• Align event objectives with target audiences, cultural storytelling, and Heritage Park’s strategic goals
• Enhance guest participation through interactive, educational, and entertainment-rich programming
• Support sponsorship and donor recognition through on-site activations and benefits fulfillment
• Perform other duties as required

Operational Planning & Execution

• Own and manage event operating budgets, including procurement, expense tracking, variance analysis, and financial controls within approved parameters Coordinate with Operations, Culinary, Facilities, and Technical teams to ensure seamless delivery
• Lead on-site operations including vendor coordination, crew direction, and live event troubleshooting
• Ensure each event is delivered safely, efficiently, and with exceptional presentation standards
• Oversee procurement and maintain strong financial controls within established budgets
• Conduct post-event evaluations, including operational, financial, and risk assessments, to drive continuous improvement

People Leadership

• Manage, mentor, and develop three direct reports, ensuring clarity, accountability, and growth through established performance goals, KPIs, and regular performance reviews
• Build a collaborative, solutions-focused team culture with strong communication and planning discipline
• Champion Heritage Park values and contribute to a positive, inclusive workplace environment

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with Marketing on promotion plans that support event goals, representing the Events portfolio in Park-wide planning, calendar development, and cross-functional leadership forums
• Manage relationships with community partners, performers, vendors, and external organizations
• Ensure timely communication and alignment across all internal stakeholders

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Develop and implement event-specific safety plans and emergency protocols that align with Heritage Park’s Health, Safety and Environment Management System (HSEMS) and established corporate safety procedures
• Maintain accessibility standards and regulatory compliance during all public events
• Promote proactive risk management and staff training, ensuring event teams understand and apply established HSE protocols, and collaborating with the HSE Manager to address event-specific risks

Organizational Excellence and Wellbeing

• Contribute to inspiring and immersive experiences at the Park by engaging in Heritage Park initiatives that align with our mission and vision, ensuring authenticity in our historical setting and stories.
• Actively support a positive work environment by creating an atmosphere of inclusion, engagement, belonging, and fulfillment for employees and volunteers, in line with Heritage Park values.
• Recognize all contributors to our community as integral to our success, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
• Demonstrate responsible stewardship of our people, collections, and financial assets by driving growth with innovation, transparency, and financial sustainability, while embracing our historical assets and recognizing all contributors.
• Demonstrate commitment to workplace health and safety by complying with Heritage Park's Health, Safety and Environment Management System (HSEMS), following safe work practices, reporting work-related incidents, injuries, and hazards, participating in employer training, and adhering to policies including the Code of Conduct and the Workplace Violence and Harassment policy.

Required Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in Event Management, Hospitality, Tourism, or related discipline
• Minimum 5 years in live event operations, venue management, or public programming execution
• Minimum 2 years leadership experience managing teams or large project groups, including experience managing complex, public-facing events with elevated risk profiles
• Demonstrated excellence in stakeholder and public-facing relationship building
• Strong operational planning, time management, and risk mitigation skills
• Demonstrated experience managing event budgets, financial performance, and post-event reporting
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant planning software
• Flexible availability including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Experience working within COR-aligned or formal safety management systems is considered an asset
• All successful candidates (over the age of 18) will be required to go through Police Information Check as a condition of employment

Special Working Conditions:

• The position will be exposed to weather extremes and will work both indoors and outdoors
• This position is physically demanding, and the incumbent must have the ability to lift heavy items, stand for long periods of time and walk throughout the Park for extended period
• Peak operational workload during major public events and seasonal programming

Hours of Work:

• The standard hours for this position are 40 hours per week
• Weekend and evening work is required on an ongoing basis