Our Toronto office is looking for an experienced and detail-oriented Senior Events Manager to join our team as soon as possible. This is a fast-paced and dynamic role that requires a strong track record in planning and executing large-scale conferences, special functions, and social gatherings with diligence, accuracy and professionalism.

A key focus of this role is managing and meeting the expectations of our event sponsors, who play a central role in the success of our events. As such, experience in sponsor relations and client-facing communication is essential. You will be responsible for designing and delivering seamless, high-impact conference experiences that align with the company's objectives and branding while satisfying the often complex needs of multiple sponsor clients.

To succeed in this role, you must bring strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to handle multiple events simultaneously, often under tight deadlines. You will work closely with internal departments and external partners, demonstrating exceptional communication skills and a commitment to excellence at every stage-from concept to post-event follow-up.

In addition, the Senior Events Manager directly manages and coaches the Events and Registration Specialist, so prior leadership experience-including mentoring or team management-is required. The ability to provide clear direction, foster professional growth, and maintain high team performance is key.

If you are passionate about creating exceptional event experiences, we'd love to hear from you!

Major responsibilities:

• Report to the Group Publisher and ensure that all aspects of the event planning process are communicated in biweekly meetings.
• Meet weekly with the events team to run through the events calendar and ensure everything is on track.
• Prepare, manage and reconcile all event budgets.
• Oversee and manage events calendar for 30 plus events (in-person and virtual).
• Prepare venue sourcing grids to showcase multiple venue options that are most suitable for the event it is being sourced for.
• Understand the requirements for each event and plan them with attention to financial and time constraints.
• Manage and coordinate all event logistics and details including meeting room set-up, meal and dietary requirements, audio-visual requirements, guest room accommodations, air travel/ground transportation (if required), offsite functions, billing details and more.
• Oversee on-site set up and tear down of events to ensure all steps are in order.
• Prepare and send out RFPs as required.
• Negotiate venue, vendor and/or supplier contract terms to secure the best rates and ensure favorable meeting/service conditions i.e. cancellation/rebooking clauses, F&B and guestroom attrition and concessions.
• Research vendors and suppliers and choose the best combination of quality and cost.
• Work closely with the events team (including those responsible for marketing, content/speakers, and sponsorship sales) to ensure all goals and objectives are being met.
• Conduct pre and post conference meetings with events team as well as venue/hotel staff.
• Coach and meet as often as needed with the Events and Registration specialist to touch base regarding the events registration progress/attendee numbers, ticket sales (for paid events) and registration site review as well as all other aspects relating to each upcoming event.
• Respond to all client inquiries and offer assistance and/or direction where needed.
• Perform administrative duties and work closely with the AP department to ensure that accounting records are up to date and invoices are paid in a timely fashion.

Job qualifications:

• Preferred bachelor's degree and/or college diploma in events, marketing, communications or a related field.
• Minimum 3-5 years of progressive experience in event management.
• A proven track record of organizing successful events with strong budget management and reporting.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build strong relationships while operating with tact, diplomacy, and integrity.
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving abilities, with an anticipatory, proactive, and responsive mindset that requires minimal guidance.
• Thrives in a fast-paced growth environment with a strong work ethic, reliability, and team-oriented attitude.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel frequently within Canada and (in rare cases) abroad is a must.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed for events.
• Understanding of executing events across Canada is an asset.

Working with us means enjoying benefits such as:

• Flexible and creative work environment.
• Permanent position with a 35-hour workweek.
• Hybrid work mode position based in Toronto: a combination of remote work and in-person attendance.
• Telework abroad policy.
• Free access to telemedicine and a wide range of professionals via Dialogue.
• Group insurance program.
• Group RRSP with employer contribution starting in January.
• Annual vacation program, including a holiday office closure between Christmas and New Year's.
• Summer schedule.
• The opportunity to attend many of our conferences.

About Contex Group Inc.

With offices in downtown Toronto and Montréal, Contex Group Inc. is a bilingual events first media company with flagship specialty brands such as Les Affaires, Contech Bâtiment, L'Événement Carrières, Formations Infopresse, Avantages in Montreal and Benefits Canada and Canadian Investment Review in Toronto.

Contex stands for Content and Experience, specializing in producing quality content across all its platforms, and driven by event activities which is the core growth area of the business.

With more than 75 conferences, 5 trade shows and nearly 100 courses on an annual basis, Contex Group provides in-depth knowledge of a variety of important business topics and issues - while enabling connections within the industries it serves.

Through its various publications and affiliated websites, Contex Group allows Canadian business people to realize their full professional potential through the increased knowledge of their environment.