Sports Operations Manager Jobs in Calgary, AB (NOW HIRING)

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents. 

The Event Manager is responsible for working directly with event organizers to design and detail authentic and impactful experiences for attendees, while supporting and strategizing on how to successfully achieve the defined objectives and financial targets of the event, including identifying event growth opportunities. This position is critical to the successful execution of events and applies a project management approach when detailing and cascading event information to operational teams. The Event Manager is a member of a multi-faceted team responsible for providing service excellence with superior professionalism.

This role pays an annual salary of $75,000-$80,000 CAD

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, Pension matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and statutory holidays).

This position will remain open until November 6, 2026.

Spruce Meadows is South Calgary's leading Sports and Entertainment District, located on the border of Southwest Calgary. Regarded as one of the top show jumping venues on the planet, a stunning 500-acre property also hosts a wide range of events, including tournaments, concerts, festivals, and world-famous markets.

Leadership 

• Provide detailed guidance and leadership to fulfillment teams on event-related matters.
• Lead by example at all times while contributing to the overall goals and objectives of the organization and delivering on the expectations of clients.
• Manage event organizers through the planning process, anticipating needs and demonstrating exceptional event strategy and project management expertise.
• Deliver service excellence by providing a personalized, professional, and seamless experience to clients.

Event/Project Planning

• Listen to and anticipate client needs to ensure events meet or exceed client-established goals and objectives.
• Capture intricate event details and requirements in a clear, concise, and effective manner.
• Provide recommendations to enhance services that align with client goals and objectives.
• Balance client needs with the achievability of event logistics and venue standards.
• Ensure client deadlines are communicated and met, including but not limited to payment schedules, event details, and final guaranteed attendance.
• Liaise with client and supplier contacts for each event, ensuring requirements are captured.
• Issue event details, including floor plans, in a timely fashion.
• Problem solve and resolve conflict, which may include negotiating with fulfillment teams, clients, suppliers, etc. Identifying and resolving event conflicts that may occur with simultaneous events.
• Respond to all client & event requests, including organizing, prioritizing, communicating, delegating, and executing changes to function space, service requirements, staffing, and access.
• Identify authorized client representatives who have signing authority to make changes or additions on-site.
• Ensure event planning guidelines and safety regulations are communicated in advance of the event.
• Demonstrate emotional composure during fast-paced and stressful situations.
• Communicate with the sales team to ensure all pertinent event information is seamlessly transitioned
• Coordinate communication and efforts with all employees & suppliers towards the goal of providing the highest level of service excellence through consistent, accurate, and ongoing communication.
• Communicate all relevant information during handover to ensure seamless transitions with team members, including in-person handover briefings and handover notes.

Administration 

• Manage overall event profitability by maximizing revenue opportunities for both the client and the organization; understand profit margins and expenses.
• Ensure timely event-related reports, including but not limited to event plans, invoices, and event profit/loss reports.
• Utilize event management system to capture all event details as well as supplemental documentation (emails, forms, floor plans, event synopsis, handover notes, etc.).
• Ensure floor plans are properly scaled, shared, and implemented.
• Ensure events are closed and invoiced in a timely manner.

• Completion of a 2-year diploma or certificate in event management or business is preferred.
• 3-5 years' experience in event management and floor plan systems
• Project management certificate considered an asset
• Ability to articulate a clear, concise, yet detailed idea, thought or concept
• Actively listen, ask questions, be curious and breaks down complex tasks into manageable parts in a systematic, detailed way
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and events simultaneously.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Proven ability to analyze challenges, resolve conflicts, and make sound decisions in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Strong customer service orientation with a commitment to delivering exceptional client experiences and exceeding expectations.
• Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and team coordination skills with the ability to effectively manage cross-functional partnerships and drive successful event execution.

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

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