Event Program Lead

EL Productions Ltd.•Mississauga, ON

1d•CA$85,000 - CA$110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At E.L. Productions Ltd. (ELP), we have partnered with major Canadian Brands to produce greatness for over 30 years. Canada’s premier event producers, we work with industry leaders and innovators to imagine, develop, and deliver exceptional experiences both virtual, live and beyond. We build experiences that make connections, shift thinking and inspire action. We are currently looking for a Program Manager to join our expanding team. The Program Manager leads the successful delivery of complex event programs, creating the structure, alignment, and leadership that enable teams to deliver exceptional experiences for our clients and attendees. With accountability for the overall program plan, client relationship, budget, team, and risk, this role connects every workstream and keeps the full picture moving forward. From establishing the path to delivery and maintaining client confidence to navigating changing priorities and making critical decisions, the Program Manager ensures programs are delivered on time, within budget, and to the high standard expected of ELP. As a people manager within the Experience team, you’ll also play an important role in creating the conditions for others to do their best work. Through clear expectations, thoughtful coaching, regular feedback, and meaningful development, you’ll build capability and support the growth of the Producers and Coordinators you lead.

Requirements

Strong program leadership with the ability to connect multiple workstreams, maintain the big picture, and drive complex programs forward
Exceptional client relationship skills with the confidence to manage expectations, navigate difficult conversations, and build lasting trust
Strong people leadership and coaching skills with a genuine interest in helping others grow and perform at their best
Strong financial acumen with the ability to manage budgets, control scope, monitor costs, and protect program profitability
Exceptional organization and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple programs, timelines, priorities, and stakeholders
Strong judgment and problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate risk, make timely decisions, and know when to escalate
Clear and confident communication across clients, team members, leadership, vendors, and partners
Calm and adaptable under pressure, maintaining perspective and leadership through changing priorities and live program challenges
Collaborative leadership style that creates accountability while bringing different people and disciplines together around a shared goal
Process-driven mindset with a commitment to quality, consistency, continuous improvement, and exceptional delivery
7+ years of progressive experience in event production, program management, experiential events, client services, or a related environment
Proven experience leading the delivery of complex client programs or events with accountability for execution outcomes
Demonstrated experience managing program budgets, financial performance, scope, and reconciliation
Experience leading cross-functional teams through complex program planning and execution
Strong experience managing client relationships throughout the program lifecycle
Demonstrated experience identifying and managing operational, financial, vendor, and program risks
Experience directly managing and developing team members, including coaching, performance feedback, and development planning
Experience working within structured delivery processes, operational playbooks, and established standards
Experience managing vendors, freelancers, and external partners within complex program environments

Nice To Haves

Post-secondary education in Event Management, Hospitality, Business, Project Management, or a related discipline is an asset
Professional certifications in project or program management, such as PMP or equivalent, are an asset
Bilingual French/English capabilities are an asset

Responsibilities

Lead complex event programs from planning through execution and close, maintaining accountability for the overall program plan, objectives, timelines, and delivery
Build trusted client relationships, proactively managing communication, expectations, decisions, feedback, and evolving program needs
Lead cross-functional program teams, creating clarity across responsibilities, priorities, milestones, dependencies, and next steps
Maintain visibility across all program workstreams, identifying gaps, risks, competing priorities, and decisions required to keep delivery moving
Own assigned program budgets, scope, financial performance, and reconciliation while protecting approved budgets and company-defined margin targets
Identify and manage operational, financial, vendor, contractual, safety, client, and attendee risks throughout the program lifecycle
Lead program readiness, ensuring teams, vendors, documentation, contingency plans, and program elements are prepared for successful execution
Provide direct people leadership to Producers and Coordinators, setting clear expectations and providing regular coaching, feedback, and development support
Support the growth of team members through development plans, skills progression, stretch opportunities, and increasing levels of ownership
Partner with Experience leadership and resourcing teams to ensure programs are staffed appropriately based on requirements, capacity, capability, and development opportunities
Reinforce ELP’s processes, playbooks, tools, and delivery standards while identifying opportunities to continuously improve how we work
Lead post-program reviews and translate client feedback, program learnings, and delivery challenges into stronger future programs

Benefits

Generative AI is used to help confirm that applicants meet minimum requirements through screening questions; all qualified resumes are reviewed by a Human Resources professional.

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