Description
The
Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning is currently seeking a Full-time Regular
Events & Initiatives Specialist.
The Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning (TI) is dedicated to strengthening teaching and learning cultures, communities and practices. The Institute supports the teaching development of instructors, promotes high impact student experiences, ensures the meaningful integration of learning technologies, and fosters research to better understand and improve student learning. The Taylor Institute works to facilitate conversations, build communities, link networks, and catalyze a culture of scholarly teaching and learning across the University.
The Events & Initiatives Specialist plays an important leadership role in the coordination of events for the broad teaching and learning portfolio at the University of Calgary, including awards programs, academic conferences, webinars, and keynotes speakers. The incumbent will require significant experience managing large, complex in-person and virtual events and programs. This position will also oversee the TI's broad organizational calendar, including collaborating closely with other teams/members on scheduling for activities, adjudication processes, collating data and reporting related to events and programs. This position will also manage event marketing and communications campaigns and develop event programs and communications collateral. The Events & Communications Specialist is a highly organized strategic thinker, able to build relationships, and pivot and adapt in high-pressure situations.
The Taylor Institute is committed to supporting the implementation of the University of Calgary's Indigenous Strategy, ii' taa' poh' to' p and to build relationships with people from Treaty 7 & and Metis Region III. The candidate will be committed to shifting the University and the Taylor Institute culture to increase Indigenous perspectives and worldviews in teaching and learning practice. Experience supporting community dialogue and campus engagement, with universities, Indigenous communities and community stakeholders is an asset.
This position reports to the Senior Manager, Communications & Programming. This position may occasionally work irregular hours.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Event planning and management
- Develop event plans for complex, large events and programs such as the University of Calgary Celebration of Teaching and the annual Advancing Innovation in Higher Education Conference and Teaching, and Teaching Days.
- Create event email communication campaigns in Dialog Insight.
- Manage event and program creation and registration in different platforms as required (Dialog Insight, Destiny 1, LiveWhale, Cvent).
- Manage digital platforms and act as technical expert for online events and webinars (Zoom, Cvent).
- Manage day-of event logistics (registrations, orientations, technology checks, volunteer management).
- Provide scheduling, support, and set agendas for event committees and meetings.
- Support administration of budgets, requisitions, and expense reconciliation.
- Manage speaker contracts, travel arrangements, and provide other speaker support as needed, align with UCalgary policy and procedures
- Collaborate with the senior programming specialist to coordinate scheduling, resources, and program evaluation processes for TI programming, providing cross-functional support across the team (Destiny One, Astra).
- Act as the primary liaison with third-party sponsors, venues, partners, and vendors.
- Manage event security and risk, working with partners in Risk Management, Accommodations and Events, and Legal.
- Provide event support to executive leaders, Indigenous Elders, and Knowledge Keepe3rs
- Foster collaboration with partner institutions and faculties.
- Participate on the UCalgary Events Task Force and other committees to ensure TI events meet institutional standards and best practices.
- Write post-event and post-program reports and work with the Program Specialist to manage post-event evaluation and surveys.
- Provide cross-function support across the team, including internal adjudication processes for conference proposals, award nominations and grant applications.
Event and Program Communications
- Write executive event briefs, speaking notes, slide decks, moderator scripts, and other in-event communications as needed.
- Develop, execute and evaluate event and program communications and marketing campaigns.
- Write communications copy for diverse channels and media (newsletter, social media, email, editorial).
- Work with subject matter experts to set program/event objectives, develop timelines, and write program descriptions.
- Provide support for program evaluation processes in collaboration with colleagues across the team.
- Write event summaries, including data showcasing impact.
- Build, manage and edit program and event webpages in Drupal.
- Support content development for website and digital media as needed.
- Work closely with the Communications team to ensure all materials are on brand.
- Other duties may be assigned as required
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Post-secondary degree in business administration, marketing, communications, public relations, or related field. A diploma or certificate in event management accompanied by additional years of direct experience will also be considered.
- 5 to 7 years of progressive experience in event management, marketing, communications and/or public relations.
- Proven experience ideating, planning and executing large-scale complex events, for in-person, virtual and hybrid events.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strong project management support within a large, complex environment.
- Clear examples of exceptional writing skills with ability to produce clear, effective and compelling communications materials across a wide range of media are required.
- Digitally savvy and able to quickly learn and work across a broad range of platforms and content management systems.
- Previous experience collating data for reporting on the impact of events and programs is an asset.
- Ability to source vendors and coordinate orders for event related materials and giveaways.
- Experience with design and content related platforms and a willingness to be trained on new software.
- Familiarity with designing collateral in Canva or other online platforms is an asset, along with experience updating webpages using content management systems.
- Working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign would be an asset.
- Excellent project and time management skills, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and high attention to detail.
- Proven ability to build strong relationships with colleagues within the Taylor Institute and across campus.
- Self-starter able to manage shifting priorities and occasionally high workload.
- Agile mindset with a focus on learning and growth handle shifting priorities.
- Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
- Understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion principles and practices
- Strong understanding of Indigenous perspectives, communities, protocols, and engagement
- Familiar with the University's Indigenous Strategy and engagement
- Experience supporting community dialogue and campus engagement with Indigenous communities and community members would be an asset.
Application Deadline: October 1, 2026
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the
Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our
Management and Staff Careers website.
About The University Of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy
ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. 