Engagement and Events Supervisor

About the Role

The Engagement and Event Supervisor reports to the Associate Director of Marketing and Partnerships and will plan and implement initiatives and events that will engage students, employees, members and fans (internal and external) in Cougars Athletics and Recreation (CAR).

The incumbent will be responsible for building relationships with internal and external stakeholders that will increase program registration, facility visits and event attendance. Vital to this role is the identifying of meaningful partnerships and building long lasting relationships. The incumbent will work with colleagues to identify opportunities for building community connections that will achieve department goals of engagement in the facility, programs, camps, clubs, game day and memberships. For varsity events this role will oversee components of the fan experience including promotional engagement activities, ticketing and the concessions.

The Engagement and Event Supervisor is also responsible for all departmental events. The impact and scope of each event hosted by CAR’s has an immediate and lasting impression on the division and Mount Royal University. 

Responsibilities

Student and Community Engagement 

• Lead collaborative opportunities within the department and with campus partners in support of departmental and institutional strategic areas of focus to maximize student engagement in all facilities, recreation programs, and athletics events that foster participation, access, and sense of belonging to MRU.
• Collaborate with the CAR Marketing Team to develop an engagement plan that synergizes with the Cougars Athletics and Recreation Strategic Plan, SACL Strategic Plan, as well as MRU’s Institutional Strategic Plan.
• Establish beneficial relationships with individuals/groups on and off campus that can aid in achieving the outcomes of the engagement plan (ex: Cubs Dance Team, SAMRU clubs, Alumni chapters, external community groups, staff/faculty associations, Residence groups, faculties).
• Establish a Campus Ambassadors Group designed at generating campus spirit for Cougars Athletics and Recreation, as well as a growth of the Cougars brand across our communities.
• Direct the development of department wide impact events to build community and engagement opportunities.
• Encourage and support joint initiatives and collaboration with on-campus partners including Residence Life, Iniskim, SAMRU, Wellness, Accessibility Services, etc.
• Track statistics of student involvement in events to assess effectiveness and popular appeal. 
• Research best practices and trends in student life practices ensuring all programs reflect the broad range of cultural, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of MRU students. 
• Work with student groups and societies to encourage and deliver student lead events. 
• Develop a community engagement strategy with the aim of retention and enhancing community interaction with the Cougar Athletics and Recreation brand.
• Maintain, update, and promote community engagement opportunities available to the campus and external community.
• Identify and support groups with existing and/or up-and-coming volunteer and community engagement activities, establishing a network of volunteers to serve both on campus and in the community.
• Collect information and feedback on community partnership experiences; create reports on community outreach initiatives as appropriate.

Events Management

• Plan an annual schedule of appropriate student driven events aimed at enhancing the student experience.
• Oversee the inventory and operations of the concessions for Cougars varsity events with an objective of generating more than $40,000 in revenue.
• Ensure the Cougars concessions meets all safety and regulatory requirements in accordance with AGLC and Alberta Health Services Food Safety. 
• Oversee Cougars varsity competition ticketing system and ensure CAR has a customer friendly sales system.
• Create and implement a ticket sales plan that supports the CAR strategic plan with an objective of generating more than $100,000 in revenue.
• Collaborate with MRU ITS to ensure appropriate point of sale software is in place in line with institutional guidelines for the Cougars concessions and varsity ticketing.
• Collaborate with Finance to complete weekly financial reports for the concessions and ticketing.
• Aid in the coordination of all Cougar Athletic and Recreation department events.
• Chair or co-chair the numerous events hosted by CAR (i.e. Saddledome Hockey event, Academic All Canadian Breakfast, 5th Year Celebrations, Cougar Night, NSO).
• Coordinate all awards, design work, and multimedia presentations for departmental events. 
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Marketing and Partnerships on potential sponsorships. recruitment and service these relationships where required. 
• Evaluation and analysis: develop and implement effective post-event evaluations; create and administer online evaluations; analyze and make recommendations for future events.
• Relationships and partnerships: create and/or maintain relationships with event participants, other MRU departments and with external partners (i.e. University Advancement, Alumni Relations and SAMRU) and external stakeholders (Flames Foundation for Life and to develop event plans for each event. 
• Marketing and communications: assist with developing and implementing marketing-communications plans for events.
• Plan, implement and assess all Cougars varsity game day in-game fan engagement activities.

Staff Supervision and Development

• Responsible for recruiting, orientation, training, scheduling, and coordinating payroll for more than 20 promotional, ticketing and concessions staff.
• Recruit, train, and coordinate approximately 50 volunteers for all major events including the Crowchild Classic and the Cougar Classic.
• Develop positions, and expectations for each, that align with the desired outcomes of each event all while following the established budget.
• Apply best practices and compliance in carrying out policies and procedures relative to human resource management.
• Coordinate the mascot for the department and other areas that request Calvin to attend.
• Provide feedback and post-event reviews to staff where appropriate.
• Liaise with the Payroll department to ensure all staff comply with the policies in place in order to process wages.

Budgeting and Purchasing

• Oversee the special events budget, in collaboration with the Associate Director, Marketing and Partnerships.
• Work with various vendors and service providers to establish contracts, and subsequent payments.
• Purchase supplies/materials/equipment necessary in order to execute special events, as well as enhance engagement initiatives throughout the academic year.

Departmental, Divisional and Institutional Service and Planning

• Promote a shared vision that drives departmental, divisional, and institutional short-term and long-term planning and the ongoing organizational work.
• Advance and serve on committees and university initiatives such as Cougar Night, Crowchild Classic @ Saddledome, U SPORTS National Championships. 
• Support the development of innovative collaborative partnerships to advance the departmental, divisional and institutional strategic reach.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in sport management, marketing, events or related field.
• Experience working at a postsecondary institution, preferably in a marketing/events management role.
• Minimum of three (3) years direct experience with supervising and strategic direction of event coordinating.
• Two to three years of progressively responsible relevant experience, which has included at least three (2) year of supervisory experience of employees and volunteers.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and work as a member of the team.
• Demonstrated commitment to and appreciation of diversity and cultural competency
• Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to and appreciation of diversity, cultural competence and global perspectives.
• Ability to explain the relevance of sport and or recreation's reputational importance through events and activities. 
• Ability to work flexible hours including evening and weekends as needed as this role is vital to the events we operate within the department.

Closing Date: October 13, 2026

A cover letter and resume/CV should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).