Program Manager, Convening and Summits

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential.

We acknowledge, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Banff area, known as “Minhrpa” (translated in Stoney Nakoda as “the waterfalls”) and the Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Nations – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Shuswap Nations, Ktunaxa Nations, and Metis Nation of Alberta, Rockyview District 4. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play, help us steward this land, and honour and celebrate this place.

The Opportunity

The Program Manager works in collaboration with departments across the organization—from Leadership and Program Administration to Finance, IT, and Marketing—to coordinate timelines, resources, and deliverables. Acting as both a program and project manager, the Program Manager ensures that every stage of a program, from initial planning to final evaluation, runs smoothly. A strong emphasis is placed on clear communication, team coordination, and respectful engagement with staff, participants, and guests to support Banff Centre’s reputation as a premier hub for arts, leadership, and conference programming.

The Convening and Summits portfolio is a core area of leadership activity at Banff Centre, alongside Cultural and Indigenous Leadership. These convenings support Banff Centre’s strategic goal to be a national and global leader by hosting thought leaders, artists, scholars, and changemakers in facilitated, retreat-style gatherings that shape arts and leadership programming. The Program Manager will support the development, planning, and delivery of these convenings in alignment with institutional learning outcomes. Events in this portfolio vary in nature—from research and development gatherings that inform future programming, to high-profile national and international summits that elevate Banff Centre’s thought leadership profile, to companion gatherings that enrich participant experiences in both arts and leadership programs.

Roles and Responsibilities

Reporting to Director of Program operations, key accountabilities include:

Program/Event Planning

• This role is charged with the responsibility and accountability for collaborating with key stakeholders (Program Directors, Faculty, Operations Teams (Production, Hospitality), Program Administration Team, Financial Services, Information Technology, Faculty, Human Resources) and documenting the scope of the program plan and/or events.
• Key logistics involve breaking projects down into manageable pieces, scheduling project deliverables, identifying resources required and who is responsible for the delivery, identifying the estimated budgets, determining communications channels
• Exercising strong communication and interpersonal skills to ensure a clear roadmap for delivery teams is established to be able to make smart decisions during the design and implementation of the program and associated events.
• Manage the day-to-day project management for the assigned programs, aligning the programs and associated events with Banff Centre’s values and strategic objectives, and in line with Banff Centre’s design signature—transformative learning experiences for every participant.
• Monitor resources and guide procedures that are realized in project plans and regularly assess for effectiveness.
• Responsible for the oversight of application, adjudication, and notification process. Provide support and direction as per Banff Centre adjudication policies and procedures.
• Develop processes for regularly communicating and reporting on program milestones, key deliverables, and risk mitigation in consultation with the Managing Director, the Arts and Leadership teams and Operations Teams.

Operations

• Coordinate resource requests, planning, and allocation for programs according to approved budgets and timelines, working closely with the relevant delivery teams.
• Establish deadlines to ensure successful delivery of programs and associated events, a quality experience for participants, faculty, staff and audience (where applicable).
• Guide and engage teams throughout the project, and manage timelines within their scope of control and inform responsible parties immediately when problems arise outside of their control.
• Careful understanding and respect of the planning and operating needs of facilities, site-specific locations, production, and hospitality procedures in order to deliver effective and high caliber program and associated events.
• Obtain from the Marketing, Communications, and Development teams information needed to ensure that public, media and donor engagement milestones are included in project planning, to ensure full enrollment, deliver audiences and media, and steward funders (private donors, Government of Alberta, Government of Canada Granting Agencies.) Provide timely provision of information for the completion of grant applications and reports for donors and government agencies.
• Oversee with the Operations team for successful achievement of service delivery and efficiency, proving seamless support to the entire organization.

Team Building and Interdivisional Cooperation

• Empower the team by maintaining open communication, providing clear direction, ensuring staff have the competency and opportunity to be successful in their work, and building a culture that is welcoming and inclusive, and supportive of a diverse workforce.
• Ensure that the necessary project planning structures, Banff Centre policies, systems, and procedures are followed and regularly reviewed for effectiveness. Follow direction and solicit feedback from the Senior Program Manager and Resource Management colleagues for process improvements.
• Ensure data in program management and financial systems are current. In cases where the systems are locked and cannot be updated, it’s critical that the stakeholders are informed of any known changes via the agreed-upon method and timelines. Program Managers are responsible for ensuring project stakeholders are aware of the deadlines/timelines. Arts and Leadership Directors are responsible for managing contracted faculty and sessional directors, and ensuring they meet Banff Centre deadlines.
• Coordinate and/or participate in a regular program evaluation that ensures the highest ethical standards in project implementation activities and make appropriate recommendations as appropriate.
• Develop regular communications plan across all project stakeholders and encourage collaboration for the success of performing arts program delivery. Develop pre-program and post-program meetings to evaluate the internal success of program delivery.
• Foster an internal culture that maintains the highest standards for customer service, excellence of staff, participant and guest experience, and fiscal, operational, and organizational integrity.
• Maintain effective working relationships with team members, internal partners, customers, the union and other stakeholders.
• Work closely with the Program Administration Teams and Human Resources Teams in all aspects of people management, as it pertains to program participants, including recruiting, training, stipend/payroll, discipline (up to and including termination/expulsion from a program) to ensure policies, procedures, contractual, legislative and work culture expectations are met. Provide leadership in these policies and procedures during program orientations and while programs are in session

Qualification and Educational Requirements

• A Degree or Diploma in a related field or equivalent professional experience
• Professional experience in related management roles
• Experience working in a unionized environment
• Demonstrated leadership in promoting a safe and healthy workplace, and experience in developing risk assessments and safe work practices
• Proven project management skills with the capability to manage multiple projects
• Working knowledge of occupational health and safety regulations, standards, best practices, and implementation
• Demonstrated experience with technical assessments and budgeting of projects
• Effective under pressure with strength in shifting priorities
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills
• High level of self-motivation with a commitment to client/participant service excellence and a willingness to work flexible hours
• Proficient with the Microsoft suite of products (e.g. Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint)

Employment Terms & Benefits

• In accordance with the terms of employment governing Management/PSP employees, this is a salaried, full-time position, subject to a 6-month probationary period.
• The salary range for this position is $68,714 - $102,040 based on experience.
• The successful candidate will enjoy twenty paid vacation days and four personal days annually, extended medical and dental benefits, and participation in an employer-matched pension plan.
• Benefits of working at Banff Centre are:
  • Transitional staff housing options (based on availability)
  • Hybrid work environment (3 days in the office, 2 days remote)
  • Health care spending account
  • Professional development
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Staff cafeteria and restaurant discounts
  • Onsite fitness facility at a discounted rate – first month free for new staff!

Application Process

• We are accepting applications for the Program Manager position until a suitable candidate is found.
• Candidates offered a position with Banff Centre, in this capacity, will be required to obtain a criminal record check verifying a clear record prior to an extension of a final employment offer.
• Visa Requirements: Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Banff Centre is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.

Commitment to Diversity

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is committed to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive campus for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Guided by our values, Banff Centre is rooted in Alberta with provincial, national and global impact. Our strength arises from inclusion; the diversity of people, ideas, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds in our work and team. We encourage women; First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression to apply.

FOIP Statement

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, through its third-party vendor, collects and stores information applicable to the candidate profile you create when you submit the information asked for above. The use and disclosure of the collected information is for the sole purpose of job search and placement activities for Banff Centre. The information is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information will be retained and when disposed of it is done so in a secure matter.