Event and Community Engagement Coordinator

KidsAbility Centre for Child Development • Waterloo, ON

8d • CA$61,510 - CA$76,620 • Onsite

About The Position

KidsAbility is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting over 17,000 children and youth annually to achieve their social, physical, communication, and behavioral goals. We provide early and exceptional family-centered services in the Waterloo and Guelph-Wellington regions. We are seeking dedicated individuals to join our team and contribute to building brighter futures for children, youth, and families. The Event & Community Engagement Specialist will lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of KidsAbility’s internal and external (non-fundraising) events and community engagement initiatives. This role reports to the Director of Marketing and Communications and is responsible for executing event strategy, fostering cross-organizational collaboration, engaging stakeholders, and evaluating performance. The Specialist will work closely with internal teams, the KidsAbility Foundation, and School teams to ensure events and engagement activities align with organizational priorities and enhance KidsAbility’s community presence.

Requirements

• Post-secondary education in marketing, communications, event management, or an equivalent combination of education.
• 2+ years of progressive experience in event management, or community engagement.
• Excellent events management skills, with working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and a demonstrated ability to independently lead initiatives from planning through execution and evaluation.
• Exceptional planning and organizational abilities, problem solving with the capacity to manage a high volume of events and tasks, balance competing priorities, and adapt to evolving organizational needs.
• Demonstrated ability to consistently meet strict deadlines while maintaining a high level of quality, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• A results-oriented, self-motivated approach, with the initiative and confidence to work independently while collaborating effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Experience using Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite, with an ability to contribute to the development of creative assets that support engagement and communication strategies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling messaging and adapt content for a variety of audiences, platforms, and purposes.
• Public Speaking and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with web content management systems to support digital communications and content updates.
• Experience delivering virtual and hybrid events using platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, with an understanding of audience engagement, facilitation, and technical execution.
• Ability to travel locally and work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends, to support event delivery and organizational priorities.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle with public liability/property damage coverage.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working within a not-for-profit or community-based organization, with an understanding of mission-driven environments and stakeholder dynamics.
• Familiarity with web content management systems and the specialized requirements of maintaining and optimizing digital content.
• Experience managing or updating digital screens or similar platforms to enhance event promotion and audience engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage an annual event and community engagement plan aligned with organizational priorities and departmental workplans.
• Provide guidance and oversight for event planning across KidsAbility.
• Lead cross-functional planning groups and ensure alignment with broader organizational goals.
• Identify opportunities to enhance community visibility, partnerships, and engagement through events.
• Lead the planning and execution of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, including internal events such as Town Halls and employee recognition initiatives.
• Oversee all event logistics, including venue coordination, registration systems, vendor management, and on-site execution.
• Serve as lead for events, ensuring seamless delivery and strong participant experience.
• Co-manage event budgets in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the KidsAbility Foundation and School to support events when requested.
• Collaborate closely with the Volunteer Coordinator to support volunteer engagement for events.
• Act as a key point of contact for internal teams seeking event and engagement support.
• Partner with the Marketing and Communications team to develop integrated event promotion strategies.
• Oversee the development of event-related materials, including digital, print, and multimedia content.
• Ensure brand consistency and strong storytelling across all engagement initiatives.
• Lead the planning and delivery of virtual events using platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Provide technical oversight, including speaker preparation, audience engagement tools, and live event management.
• Lead post-event evaluations, including stakeholder feedback and data analysis.
• Develop and present event performance reports and insights.
• Identify opportunities to enhance impact, efficiency, and participant experience.
• Serve as a key operational support for the Marketing and Communications team, ensuring efficient coordination of tickets, timelines, and deliverables.
• Lead the administration and continuous improvement of the team’s intake system (Zohodesk), including managing incoming requests, and monitoring workflow progress.
• Triage and assess ticket requests to ensure alignment with organizational priorities, strategic objectives, and team capacity.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to clarify requests, define scope of task, and timely and accurate execution.
• Maintain clear visibility of pipelines, providing regular updates to the Director of Marketing and Communications on workload, priorities, and potential risks.
• Support the development and implementation of standardized processes, tools, and templates to enhance team efficiency and consistency.
• Monitor and track task timelines and deliverables, maintained adhering to deadlines and quality standards.
• Act as a central point of coordination between Marketing and Communications and internal departments to support seamless task delivery.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and improve intake management processes.
• Perform other administrative duties as required.

Benefits

• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Supportive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment
• Organizational commitment to innovation and research
• Initiatives to support well-being including social events, opportunities to give back to your community and access to Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Comprehensive benefits
• Optional group RRSP program
• Short- and long-term disability income protection benefits
• Generous vacation package
• Paid personal leave days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree