ABOUT THE STUDENTS’ UNION
The Students’ Union (SU) is one of the leading undergraduate student associations in Canada. We are a not-for-profit organization that works to ensure that University of Calgary undergraduate students have the best possible university experience through advocacy, representation, and providing valuable on-campus services and programs. We also manage several businesses within the MacEwan Student Centre including a restaurant and bar, two concert venues, a convenience store, a used bookstore and print shop, and the MacEwan Conference & Event Centre.
We’re in the business of student leadership, and so SU staff are all teachers in some capacity. We coach, mentor, and work alongside the elected members of our student government to help them develop skills and make good decisions for the organization. As such, the SU is a nimble and leading-edge organization that can pivot quickly to address emerging issues and trends.
The SU offers all our employees a competitive, market-determined salary. Our benefits, though, tend to exceed the market. These include:
- Five weeks paid vacation, to start
- Unlimited paid sick time
- A six percent RRSP matching program
- Full health and dental benefits plus a health spending account
- A mission-driven culture that values work-life balance, diverse experiences, and kindness
People love working for the SU because we care about our employees and empower them to thrive and succeed. The result is a very low turnover and a long-serving staff who are passionate about what they do. If you’re tired of being treated like a cog in a machine and want to do something that matters without sacrificing your home life, the SU might just be the right fit for you.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Events Coordinator is a client-focused position responsible for the effective coordination of a diverse group of internal and external client event bookings resulting in high levels of client satisfaction and department profitability.
SALARY
For this position, the hiring range is $47,000 to $55,000 and the offered salary will be negotiated based on a candidate’s relative experience. As a not-for-profit organization, it is extremely unlikely that we will be able to offer a successful candidate a salary outside of this range.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Plan and coordinate all aspects of events primarily in the months and weeks prior.
- Work with a diverse body of internal and external clients to ensure satisfaction, including advising on services and related costs, creating and implementing standard contracts that serve the customers unique requirements for service, collecting payments, maintaining timely communication with clients during the planning process, and assisting with event production as required.
- Ensure effective communication of information across the department, including using event management software to disseminate up-to-date planning information, as well as preparing and distributing all relevant materials internally and externally.
- Liaise with and provide execution details to department staff to ensure proper event execution (e.g., catering operations, kitchen management, administrative staff, and 3rd party providers).
- Maintain consistent, timely, and accurate billing for services.
- Attend and participate in daily and weekly department meetings, as well as inter-department, and 3rd party provider meetings as required.
- Conduct pre-event meetings and tours of the facility, and conduct post event evaluations to ensure collection and distribution of valued customer feedback.
- Contribute to maintenance of departmental budget and assist in some aspects of budget development as requested.
- Perform administrative and clerical tasks associated with event planning and the department.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Requirements: Diploma in hospitality management or related program (minimum 2-year program) with 2 years of directly related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience would be considered.
Experience gained within the hospitality industry is preferred. Previous experience working within a university setting would be considered an asset.
Required Technical Skills/Experience:
- Intermediate computer skills using Excel, Word and e-mail applications
- Proficiency in using room booking software (social tables)
- Experience with OPERA
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
- Excellent customer service skills
- Ability to maintain a professional manner and manage self well under pressure
- Highly developed sales and negotiation ability with internal and external clients
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and negotiate conflicting priorities
- An outstanding telephone manner
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Cultural sensitivity; ability to work effectively with a wide variety of customers
For more information, please check out the position description.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a resume and cover letter to resumes@su.ucalgary.ca. We are accepting applications until March 29, or until we find the right person. We’re hoping to interview candidates and make a decision in April.
STATEMENT ON EMPLOYMENT EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
The Students’ Union is committed to ensuring that members of equity-deserving groups, from a broad range of communities, feel empowered to apply for positions within the organization. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from Black, Indigenous, and/or other racialized communities to apply. Qualified candidates who identify as 2Spirit and/or LGBTQIA+ or are otherwise marginalized on the grounds of gender expression, gender identity, and/or sexual orientation are also strongly encouraged to apply.
The Students’ Union welcomes applications from people with disabilities and believes strongly in accessibility in the work we do. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process – please advise us at any point and we will work with you to meet your needs while respecting your privacy as much as possible.
The Students’ Union is grateful to work on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikuni, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. The University of Calgary is situated on land adjacent to where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, and the traditional Blackfoot name of this place is Moh’kins’tsis, which we now call the City of Calgary. The Students’ Union also recognizes that land acknowledgments are not enough. We need to pursue truth, reconciliation, decolonization, and allyship in an ongoing effort to make right with all our relations.