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Director, Community Engagement & Events

Employer
Vector Institute
Location
Toronto (City), Ontario (CA)
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Apr 3, 2023

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Job Details

DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EVENTS

 

POSITION OVERVIEW

 

The Vector Institute is seeking a Director, Community Engagement and Events for a 15-month contract to lead Vector’s strategic events and community insights strategy as well as team. 

 

Reporting to the Director, Marketing & Communications with a dual reporting structure for prioritization and strategy with the Chief Operations & Finance Officer to advance Vector’s programming and event strategy.  The successful candidate will focus on key areas of interest and transformation over 15-months for Vector through community engagement initiatives, deliver insights from events, manage Vector’s use of SalesForce, and work with the Marketing and Events teams to deliver valuable events, content, and collaboration opportunities for each of Vector’s communities.

 

In this role, you will work in partnership with external vendors and internal work streams, lead key projects that focus on development of new processes, to advance Vector’s multi-year roadmap.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

 

Program and Events Management

 

  • Lead projects in collaboration with the Marketing & Communications work stream to gather data on Vector’s audiences and provide recommendations for the audiences’ journeys;
  • Improve processes for event data collection, reporting and insights, including performance measurements across all programs, that ensure consistent, high-quality evaluation and goal setting for all programs;
  • Project Manage the opening of the new Vector Offices at Schwartz Reisman Innovation Centre;
  • Support the Events Manager in oversight of Vector’s program calendar to create a culture of longer-term planning and community engagement (e.g., select programming topics determined 6 –12 months in advance) including program design for different audiences;
  • Maintain oversight and own the EDI community relationships to support and grow Vectors’ EDI community partnerships;
  • Maintain oversight and approvals of Vector’s external sponsorships and sponsorship budget, working closely with the Marketing & Communications work stream on larger brand partnerships;
  • Maintain oversight and management of customer services and engagement of audiences as it relates to external programs, ensuring positive experiences to grow the Vector community;
  • Manage Vector’s events budget for in-person & virtual events;
  • Oversee, together with the Manager, Events, efficient and thorough scheduling and production of events, manage budgets, contribute to data management, and reporting, and effectively execute the annual cycle of events production for Vector;
  • Oversee, together with the Events Manager, all programming committees and aid in the development of new program portfolios or audience needs as identified from Vector’s research community, industry sponsors, FastLane companies, and other ecosystem partners;
  • Work closely with the Marketing & Communications work stream to ensure all programming is aligned to the Vector Institute’s brand and thought leadership goals;
  • Lead Vector’s corporate event/space relationships with the University of Toronto, including the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Centre, and act as Vector’s representative for event budgeting, facilities booking, and coordination with other community partners as Vector moves into the new space;
  • Oversee, together with the Events Manager, the planning, scheduling, and coordination of event spaces as it pertains to Vector’s programming and UofT’s Academic & Campus Events (ACE);
  • Support Vector’s Business Continuity group in matters related to events and programs, which include Joint Health and Safety Committee obligations, COVID-19 related considerations, and integration with both the Human Resources and Office Services teams;
  • Assist with occasional program copy writing to better align with audiences’ needs and other work streams; and,
  • Other duties as may be assigned, from time to time.

 

Team Management and Development
 

  • Oversee two direct reports: the Manager, Events and Coordinator, Marketing and Events;
  • Oversee customer service for each community attending Vector events, including compliance obligations;
  • Collaborate in instilling a sense of accountability among team members by modeling oversight of individual and organization performance standards;
  • Provide guidance and hands-on training to program staff, volunteers, and contractors as necessary; and,
  • Provide input on staff annual evaluations and creation of professional development plans.

 

Leadership

 

  • Develop and articulate a vision and strategy for Vector’s community engagement across different audiences and submit an annual plan supporting each work stream’s objectives;
  • Develop and implement strategies that will maximize the synergies among program areas;
  • Ensure program operations and activities adhere to Vector’s policies on brand, accessibility, and other corporate requirements;
  • Keep senior staff and work streams informed with detailed post-mortem reports on events or presentations on programming / provide input to other post-mortem reports being created by other work streams;
  • Interact with Vector’s community at large to deliver programs and establish partnerships and collaborations; and,
  • Support the Leaderhsip@Vector model and other needs of Vector’s senior staff. 

 

IDEAL CANDIDATE

 

  • 7+ years of experience in experiential, field, or event marketing, ideally in a fast-paced, start-up environment
  • 3+ years leading a team of events specialists
  • Expertise in event planning and sponsorships, including budgeting, negotiation, and logistics
  • Experience with strategy development and execution of event campaigns or sponsorships
  • Advanced understanding of event management tools, processes, and reporting
  • Strong ability to work cross-functionally with diverse partners and build relationships across teams
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex programs, processes, recommendations, and data to audiences at all levels
  • Excellent customer service and can-do attitude;
  • International and private sector experience are considered assets;
  • Ability to work well independently on several projects concurrently and maintain focus and professionalism in high pressure environments;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to work successfully with various organizational levels, whether that be with colleagues, senior executives, customers or partners;
  • Software proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Docs, event management systems and MailChimp is required;
  • Demonstrated flexibility and professionalism coupled with sound judgment; flexible, discreet and able to maintain confidential information, knowledge of appropriate protocol for various situations;
  • Post-secondary diploma, preference for post-secondary degree, in a related field; and,
  • Willingness to travel on occasion and be available onsite for in-person or hybrid events and sponsorships.

 

SUCCESS MEASURES

 

  • Quantitative and qualitative event metrics demonstrate impact and meaningful delivery against the strategic objectives of the Vector Institute;
  • Participants (speakers, guests, sponsors, stakeholders) are aware of and receive all necessary details and information pertaining to their attendance in a timely manner;
  • Working alongside Marketing & Communications, ensuring metrics around community engagement and attendance for Vector’s events and programs are consistently seeing an increase in retention for ongoing initiatives, increase in engagement of community offerings and increase in reported awareness of offerings across programs;
  • Seamless delivery and development around high-quality events and community programs are produced and reported on to Vector’s leadership, work stream leaders and Board of Directors;
  • Events and community initiatives are planned in advance, and delivered within budget with seamless, professional and consistent execution; and,
  • Speakers, guests, and stakeholders provide positive feedback on their experience after the event.

 

Direct applicants only please, no agencies.

 

At the Vector Institute, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion and are committed to providing a work environment that is respectful, fair, and supportive. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those from diverse communities, such as Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups.

 

 

 

If you are passionate about events and have a desire to work in a fast-paced and innovative environment, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

 

 

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

Please address applications (cover letter and resume) to Sameera Ali, Talent Acquisition Specialist, using the link provided. The deadline for submission is April 3, 2023.

 


At the Vector Institute we are committed to driving excellence and leadership in Canada’s knowledge, creation, and use of AI to foster economic growth and improve the lives of Canadians. We strive for greater inclusion in the programs and culture that we build by welcoming and encouraging applications from all qualified candidates. This includes but is not limited to applicants who are Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, racialized persons/visible minorities, women, and people with disabilities.

If you require an accommodation at any point throughout the recruitment and selection process, please contact hr@vectorinstitute.ai and we will happily work with you to meet your needs.

 

 

Company

The Vector Institute is an independent, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to research in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), excelling in machine and deep learning.

The Vector Institute launched in March 2017 with generous support from the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, and private industry, and in partnership with the University of Toronto and other universities.

The Vector Institute will work with institutions, industry, start-ups, incubators and accelerators to advance AI research and drive its application, adoption and commercialization across Canada.

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