Events Manager

Company Overview

Who We Are:

Based in Stratford, Ontario, the Stratford Festival is one of the world’s foremost repertory theatre companies. It operates year-round, presenting a season of about a dozen plays each year between the months of April and November, a rich stream of digital content and hundreds of events designed to deepen understanding of the plays. For every person a theatregoer sees on our stages, we have seven people working behind the scenes, some of the world’s most dedicated and experienced arts workers.

The Stratford Festival is committed to ongoing work to support equity, inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression in all areas of our work. These areas include play selection, casting, marketing and public relations efforts, education programs, production, design, recruitment of staff and volunteers, and the composition of the Board of Directors.

Why You Should Apply:

• Creative work environment     
• Paid operational shutdown in December, with flexibility of days being used at alternative times during the year
• Group Insurance Benefits
• Employer matched RRSP
• Employee Assistance Program to encourage work-life balance and strong mental health
• Complimentary & discounted ticket offers and events
• Employee discounts on merchandise and event space
• Being a part of the magic of live theatre!

Job Description

Reporting to the Associate Director, Food & Beverage or their designate, the Events Manager is responsible for the planning, booking, coordination, and execution of events taking place throughout all Stratford Festival venues, at both on-site and off-site locations.

The Events Manager serves as the main point of contact for event hosts, managing all food and beverage needs as well as event logistics from initial inquiry through to final execution.

This role is execution-focused, ensuring events are accurately organized, efficiently delivered, and consistently executed to a high standard. The Events Manager is also responsible for maintaining and growing event activity through effective management of bookings and event opportunities.

Responsibilities:

• Actively manage event inquiries and bookings, ensuring a consistent pipeline of internal and external events.
• Plan and create contracts and communication for all internal and external events. 
• Manage all event logistics, including food and beverage orders, setup requirements, timelines, and coordination with Service teams for execution. 
• Communicate regularly with event contacts to create and update Event Orders based on their specifications, update all relevant departments accordingly. 
• Coordinate with Service Manager and Leads to ensure appropriate staffing, preparation, and successful event execution.
• Provide food and beverage services, including table service at on-site and off-site catered events as needed. 
• Coordinate with the Culinary Team to ensure all food items are prepared and ready for service as per event details. 
• Ensure event readiness by providing clear direction, timelines, and event details to Service Manager and Leads. 
• Ensure inventory sales sheets and counts are completed by Food & Beverage Representatives after each event. 
• Collaborate with the Facilities department to provide accurate directions for floor plans, ensuring setups are completed in a timely manner. 
• Liaise with the Finance Department to submit final event details for accurate billing to event contacts. 
• Work with Bar Coordinators to maintain inventory levels for bars and events across all outlets weekly. 
• Collaborate with Bar Coordinators and the Executive Chef to ensure special products are ordered, stocked, and set up for each event. 
• Train and lead the service team on event procedures and standards. 
• Maintain a friendly and positive atmosphere for guests and staff, ensuring a consistently high level of customer service. 
• Enforce the uniform policy and maintain professional standards. 
• Support training and onboarding of event staff in collaboration with Service Managers, ensuring event procedures and standards are followed.
• Monitor event activity and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, increase booking volume, and enhance overall event delivery.
• Ensure all event details are accurate and complete to support seamless execution across all departments.
• Adhere to the Stratford Festival Health & Safety Commitment and Procedures, and ensure that safe work practices and policies are supported and enforced within reporting structure. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Post-secondary diploma program, typically a two year program, or equivalent, (i.e. Community college, Technical Institute or Trade School, etc.) in a Food & Beverage/Hospitality or related field. 
• 2 to 4 years of related experience 
• Excellent written and verbal communication 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point) 
• Experience supervising, coaching and training employees is considered an asset. 
• Smart Serve certification is required 
• Safe Food Handling certificate considered an asset.  

Behavioural Competencies:

• Organization skills: create structure and optimally use resources to achieve results and ensure productivity 
• Teamwork: readily work with others towards a shared goal, actively support teammates and recognize everyone’s contributions 
• Communication: actively listen and effectively transmit and receive information 
• Leadership: successfully guide others to maximize their capabilities to achieve a collective goal; help them to succeed and thrive 

This full-time posting is for an existing vacancy located in Stratford, Ontario. This position requires the candidate to work onsite, with remote available when required. Regular work hours for this position are Monday to Friday, but require the candidate to work holiday and weekend hours as scheduled

Job Type: Full-Time

Annual Salary: $65,325 - $81,000

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled