Director of Events

Job title: Director of Events

Job description: Role: Director of Events

Company: Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA),

Location: Toronto, ON (hybrid work model – minimum of 1 day per week in the office, remainder remotely)

Type: Full Time / Permanent

The Director of Events is an integral role in enabling the HRPA to achieve its new vision. This position leads the planning, production and execution of all HRPA events and conferences. As a strategic leader, the Director of Events collaborates to co-create the HRPA events strategy, build an annual events roadmap, formulate budgets, and establish sales and event targets. The position provides event, project and team leadership, and manages and participates in the delivery of best-in-class productions and experiences (including an effective Go-To-Market strategy). The role is directly responsible for designing innovative and compelling events that generate demand and sales – both in registrations and B2B corporate partnerships. As a member of the HRPA leadership group, the Director of Events cultivates and contributes to an inclusive and innovative culture, where the work is grounded in values and mission-based decision making and leadership principles.

About HRPA

Overcoming workplace and business disruption relies on skilled and strategic leaders, and the human resources profession continues to evolve to take on the challenges of today, and the future. The Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) supports businesses and protects the public by regulating and advancing the capabilities of HR professionals in Ontario, enabling organizations to unlock the human potential that exists in their workplaces. The HRPA ensures that over 23,000 members and students have the most up to date tools and the advanced skills to lead our workplaces into the future. The HRPA regulates HR professionals in the public interest. Members our held to the province’s highest standards, so Ontario workplaces can trust members to unlock business growth and optimize employee potential. From the power of AI and technology to human rights and IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility), businesses are relying on HR more than ever, not just as exemplary operators, but as strategic partners. The HRPA is excited to embark on an exciting new strategy and vision to advance the world of work and propel the HR profession into the future.

The target annual base salary range for this position is approximately $110,000 – $125,000, plus an additional short-term incentive ‘at target’ of 10% of base salary (“at target”).

Responsibilities

Events Strategy, Execution and Project Management

• Develop the HRPA annual event strategy incorporating multiple in-person, virtual, and hybrid events – including the HRPA’s Annual Conference
• Lead events budget planning, sales targeting, and product development ensuring all events are saleable products
• Provide leadership and direction in the scoping of event requirements; lead the team in liaising with venue operations to ensure successful execution of all aspects of the event planning process and on-site logistics
• Lead and participate in the execution of event plans by creating event critical path plans and managing project timelines
• In collaboration with the Marketing Team, plan an effective Go-To-Market strategy for events, considering market expectations and environmental scanning
• Lead project scope, including event programming, run of show, budget, developing registration process and marketing activities required to promote events
• Work closely with third party contractors to collaborate on production design, creative content development, and development of event registration/sales platform
• Support vendor, supplier and third-party relationships
• Manage event budgets and administrative tracking
• Be a subject matter expert on best-in-class events when collaborating with the ELT
• Minimal travel within the province may be needed periodically to attend and manage events

Creative Program and Event Design

• Become a subject matter expert on HRPA’s vision and remain up-to-date on industry news/trends/opportunities
• Work closely with the internal team to develop creative program concepts and best-in-class, relevant event programs
• Research and identify high quality, high demand speakers and topic experts
• Connect with prospective speakers and program contributors, and negotiate high value speaker contracts
• Design events as products and collaborate with other HRPA Directors/Leaders/Team Members on the sales and marketing strategy to achieve registration, partnerships and sponsorship targets
• Ensure event design incorporates and celebrates all stakeholders appropriately, including HRPA members, speakers, sponsors and partners, while delivering high value experiences for all
• Attend industry events with the CEO or other HRPA executives as a way to expand speaker network, monitor the events sector, and build new opportunities for HRPA events

Leadership

• Provide superior leadership, mentorship, coaching, support and feedback to the Events Team as a way to develop skills and capabilities
• Establish department goals, assign and supervise the work of the team, evaluate individual and team performance
• Be the primary leadership point of contact during event set up, delivery, and B2B fulfillment activities, working closely with other HRPA leaders, the Events Team, and venue managers
• Plan, direct and supervise the work of HRPA staff, volunteers and vendors during event production
• Oversee all aspects of run-of-show, providing real time solutions and problem solving to ensure best-in-class productions and experiences
• Appropriately empower the team to make decisions and remove obstacles
• Structure the events planning and delivery organization and evolve HRPA’s events team and capabilities
• Drive best-in-class event planning processes, procedures and outcomes
• Represent the HRPA mission, values and leadership throughout the organization

Requirements

Qualifications & Skills

• Approximately 10+ years of experience in event planning and/or conference management roles
• Proven experience managing and executing large scale in-person events, multi-day conferences, as well as hybrid and online events
• Approximately 5+ years of progressive leadership experience, managing project-based or event-planning teams
• Approximately 5+ years of project management experience with proven expertise in developing effective work-back plans, critical paths and scheduling, budgets, as well as project reporting
• University degree preferred, ideally with a focus in Event Management, Special Events, or Marketing. Alternatively, College Diploma with a focus on event management coupled with relevant work experience.
• Experience building relationships across multiple departments and with outside vendors
• Leadership experience and experience managing an events team including supervising, coaching, leading, developing performance and team capabilities through inclusive and equitable leadership practices
• Experience building out event programs including session topics, speakers, panels, etc.
• Prior experience successfully managing expenses within defined event budgets
• Must be able to thrive in a deadline-driven, fast paced, team environment, working both independently and collaboratively on multiple projects
• Strong project reporting and data analytics skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Proven ability to manage changing priorities and perform well under pressure
• High level of personal integrity and professionalism
• Creative thinker
• Detail oriented – obsessed with the details. Effectively operates equally on small details as well as large strategic issues, and thrives in an all-hands-on-deck environment
• Ability to take charge and drive projects forward, even in the face of ambiguity or uncertainty
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications as well as sales technology tools

Benefits

HRPA offers a variety of perks, benefits and flexible workplace policies that support our employees in being their complete and authentic selves.

• Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangements
• 4 weeks of paid vacation
• Summer hours
• December holiday closure
• Comprehensive health, dental and vision care
• Employee Assistance Program
• Annual Health & Wellness Allowance
• Group RRSP with employer match

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, the company will provide accommodation throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If selected to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please inform the HR Department of the nature of any accommodation(s) to ensure your equal participation.

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