ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, EVENTS

Job description

The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (FSCPA) is a 2000-seat + performing arts venue in the heart of downtown Toronto. The building is the performance home of both the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada, and hosts a number of other events throughout the year including galas, meetings, corporate functions, film screenings, and social events. We are now accepting applications for the full-time position of Associate Director, Events, reporting to the General Manager. This is an existing vacancy arising from the departure of a previous team member . WHAT WE OFFER This leadership role within the Canadian Opera Company offers several key attributes: Competitive salary and vacation package Potential for professional growth and career advancement Opportunity to work within a progressive, inclusive and welcoming arts organization Employee Assistance Program Extended healthcare coverage RRSP contribution plan after one year of service OVERVIEW Reporting to the General Manager, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, the Associate Director, Events is a department-head level position responsible for driving the sales and business development strategy for the Centre's events business, while overseeing event planning, client service, team leadership and financial performance. A key priority for the department is to further optimize the Four Seasons Centre's potential as a premier event destination in the heart of downtown Toronto. The successful candidate will be expected to proactively identify and develop new markets, build and leverage industry relationships, grow third-party rentals and partnerships, and secure high-value events and other revenue-generating opportunities beyond the Centre's core relationships with the Canadian Opera Company and The National Ballet of Canada. The successful candidate will bring a demonstrated track record of sales and business development success, strong industry connections, and the strategic and financial acumen required to translate those relationships and opportunities into sustainable revenue growth. They will also lead and develop the Events team, foster strong relationships with clients, vendors and internal partners, and ensure a consistently high standard of service throughout the sales, planning and delivery of events. This is an in-person position, with limited ability to work remotely, and will require some evening and weekend shifts. KEY RESPONSIBLITIES Sales and Business Development: Lead the Centre's sales and business development strategy, serving as the primary sales lead and overseeing all related initiatives and functions. Proactively identify, develop and convert new business opportunities, ensuring the Four Seasons Centre is recognized as a preferred venue within the market. Build and leverage strong industry relationships to grow third-party rentals, partnerships and other revenue-generating opportunities. Maintain and grow all sales and marketing collateral and business development activities. Optimize venue utilization and revenue potential by ensuring business is booked on optimal calendar dates, based on building and market demand. Oversee and develop all third-party vendors and partners related to special events within the Centre, ensuring we work with “Best in Class” businesses. Planning: Ensure all planning activities provide an efficient, timely, proactive, consultative and warm experience for clients. Support and develop a business culture that encourages innovation and creates unique experiences for event clients and guests alike. Ensure effective communication and collaboration between the department, operational teams, and partners/vendors. Leadership: Ensure service excellence is delivered at all client and guest touch points, from the initial sale through event planning and day-of delivery. Provide direct oversight of all Event Sales & Planning colleagues, ensuring departmental success, as well as informal oversight and collaboration with operational teams. Hire, onboard, train, mentor and coach colleagues as required. Participate in and support the senior leadership team within the Four Seasons Centre, contributing to organizational excellence and sound management practices. Occasionally act as designated Manager on Duty, with responsibility for F&B, Front of House, fire and safety, and patron issues. Financial: Lead all financial planning and management, including pricing strategy, forecasting and budgeting. Drive achievement of targeted sales and revenue goals. Ensure all event billing is completed accurately and on time, and remains within reasonably estimated amounts at the time of confirmation. Create, maintain and oversee all legal and contractual documents related to rentals, licensing and partnerships. Ensure all applicable industry and government guidelines, regulations and bylaws are followed, minimizing business and operational risk. EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS The ideal candidate will bring a minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of progressive experience in event sales, business development, venue management, hospitality, performing arts, or a related field, including experience in a leadership capacity. A business degree or diploma is considered an asset. We are seeking a commercially driven, industry-connected leader with a demonstrated track record of growing sales, developing new business, and building strong client and industry relationships. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate what they have achieved, the markets and relationships they have developed, and the strategies they have used to generate business and revenue. Successful candidates will demonstrate: Proven sales and business development success, including a track record of generating revenue, achieving or exceeding sales targets, developing new business opportunities, and converting prospects into long-term clients and partners. Established industry relationships and networks, with the ability to build, cultivate and leverage connections across relevant corporate, entertainment, hospitality, event, production, agency and other markets to generate new business for the Four Seasons Centre. Experience developing and executing business growth strategies, including identifying new markets and revenue opportunities, strengthening the Centre's competitive position, and proactively positioning the venue as a preferred destination for events. Demonstrated success selling complex or high-value events, ideally including large-scale corporate events, public ticketed productions, galas, meetings, film or entertainment projects, or other multi-day or high-revenue bookings. Strong strategic and financial acumen, including experience with pricing strategy, forecasting, budgeting, revenue optimization, contract negotiation, and using business and financial data to inform decisions. Strategic planning and organizational skills, with the ability to translate business objectives into clear priorities, manage multiple initiatives, anticipate challenges, and make sound decisions in a dynamic environment. Strong event planning and client-management experience Proven leadership and team-development skills, including experience hiring, onboarding, coaching, mentoring and developing colleagues, as well as fostering a collaborative, accountable and service-oriented team culture. Exceptional communication and relationship-management skills, with the ability to build trust, influence stakeholders, negotiate effectively, present ideas persuasively, and represent the Four Seasons Centre professionally in the marketplace. A high degree of initiative and entrepreneurial thinking, with the ability to identify opportunities, take ownership, solve problems and proactively pursue results rather than simply respond to incoming business. Commitment to service excellence, with the ability to balance commercial objectives with a warm, professional and solutions-oriented approach to clients, guests, patrons, colleagues and partners. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (including Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint and Teams), as well as the ability to learn and effectively use venue and event-management systems such as Business Central, Arts Vision and Social Tables. An affinity for working in a diverse, inclusive and artistic environment. Smart Serve and Food Safety certification, or the ability to obtain required certifications. Interested candidates are invited to submit their no later than end of day on Monday, September 14, 2026. ABOUT THE CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. General Director Ian Derrer joined the company in 2026, forming a leadership team alongside Artistic Director Roberto Mauro and Music Director Johannes Debus. The COC enjoys a loyal audience, including a dedicated base of subscribers, and has an international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation. Its diverse repertoire includes new commissions and productions, local and international collaborations with leading opera companies and festivals, and attracts the world’s foremost Canadian and international artists. The company is an incubator for the future of the art form, nurturing Canada’s new wave of opera performers and creators with customized training and support. The COC’s purpose-built opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, is hailed internationally as one of the finest in the world. As Canada's largest opera company, the COC deeply values equity and diversity across all levels of the organization and believes in fostering an inclusive, discrimination-free environment that fully supports our team’s personal and collective success. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects our community, our city, and our country, and, in turn, the COC welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and abilities who share and embrace these values. The COC is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in all parts of the hiring process. If you require accommodation, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs. The Canadian Opera Company thanks all applicants in advance, however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls or agencies please.