Manager, Events (1-Year Maternity Leave Contract)

Retail Council of Canada • Toronto, ON

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is seeking a Manager, Events for a 1-year maternity leave contract. This is a full-time role based in Toronto (GTA). The Manager, Events will be responsible for the planning, execution, and improvement of RCC's conferences, events, webinars, and special programs. The role requires a strategic thinker with a passion for creating memorable experiences and leading teams, operating within a collaborative and fast-paced environment. RCC is a dynamic and growing non-profit organization with a long history of leadership in member benefits, government advocacy, public affairs, education, and training.

Requirements

• A post-secondary degree in Event Management, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in event planning, content management, and team leadership.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management and cost optimization.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Experience managing vendor relationships and negotiating contracts.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and event management software.
• A passion for creating exceptional event experiences and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required for events.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the retail industry or association environment is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and curation of event content, in collaboration with committees, speakers, and sponsors, ensuring alignment with RCC's strategic goals and member needs.
• Manage the creation and marketing of event-related content, including agendas, session descriptions, speaker prep calls, and post-event evaluations.
• Conduct research to identify trending topics and industry insights to incorporate into event programming.
• Facilitate rehearsals and provide support to speakers to ensure smooth delivery of presentations.
• Lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of RCC's conferences, events, webinars, and special programs.
• Develop and implement event logistics timelines and critical paths, ensuring all tasks are completed on time and within budget.
• Manage relationships with event suppliers, venues, and third-party vendors, including contract negotiations and onsite services (e.g., exhibit management, F&B, AV, IT, security, and staffing).
• Oversee the event evaluation process, preparing post-event analysis to identify areas for improvement and enhance future events.
• Drive innovation in event planning processes, marketing strategies, and attendee experiences.
• Develop and manage operational budgets for all RCC events, ensuring financial goals are met.
• Monitor and update budgets throughout the year, providing regular reports to the Vice President, Education & Partnerships.
• Negotiate with vendors and suppliers to optimize costs while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Events team, including the Coordinator, Events and any temporary staff or student interns.
• Assign roles and responsibilities, ensuring a balanced workload and effective collaboration within the team.
• Provide ongoing training and support to team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Manage temporary and onsite staff, ensuring they are well-prepared to support event execution.
• Collaborate with senior management to support RCC's strategic plans and goals.
• Work closely with the Sponsorship team to ensure all sponsor and exhibitor requirements are met.
• Liaise with the Marketing & Communications team to ensure consistent branding and messaging across all events.

Benefits

• Hybrid work environment
• Opportunity to lead impactful national conferences, events, and educational programs
• Collaborative and supportive team culture
• Dynamic, fast-paced work environment with high visibility across the organization
• Opportunity to contribute to one of Canada’s leading national retail associations

What This Job Offers

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