Manager, Programs and Events

Overview:
**Term: 3 years**

The Manager, Program and Events works collaboratively with startup companies, University of Waterloo faculties and departments across campus, and key external stakeholders and contractors to plan and execute Velocity events and programs, creating a best-in-class experience for various audiences. This position is expected to help provide a strategic lens to the design and effectiveness of ongoing programming hosted by Velocity as well as, designing and experimenting with new programs and events that help the organization meet its goals.

Programs and events include ideation and validation training, mixers, and pitch competitions for students as well as innovation challenges and hackathons. The Manager will also strategically design large events that showcase Velocity founders such as demo days, investor visits, and Velocity alumni gatherings.

**Responsibilities**:
Program and Event Strategy and Design
- Collaborates closely with the leaders of advisory, communications, facilities, and programming teams to identify the needs of Velocity founders, pinpointing areas where structured programming can provide optimal support
- Engages in thorough research, meticulous design, and proactive implementation of programs tailored to address the needs of Velocity founders
- Evaluates Velocity’s portfolio of programming and events, ensuring that outcomes achieved align proportionately with investments of time and funding necessary for their execution
- Initiates and manages large-scale changes when repeated programs and events have diminishing returns
- Establishes connections with internal and external groups seeking to engage with and sponsor activities with Velocity founders. Through insightful analysis, identifies synergies between Velocity’s objectives and those of partnering groups, subsequently crafting tailored programs and events to achieve those goals
- Remains connected to students, founders, and other Velocity members to ensure there is consistent feedback on their programs and events
- Develops a structured framework for gathering systematic feedback on events and programs, ensuring ongoing refinement and enhancement
- Recognizes the interconnectedness of events within the broader programming framework of Velocity, strategically leveraging them to advance organizational objectives and enhance operational efficiency

Program Management
- Creates processes and templates for program and event management so successful programs and events can be easily reproduced in the future
- Creates project charters for each program, providing a clear roadmap for execution and success
- Oversees budget allocation and resource management, ensuring optimal utilization of resources to achieve program success
- Monitors progress against objectives and key results (OKRs) across all programs
- Scouts and secures guest speakers, judges, and other key stakeholders that enhance program impact and engagement

Stakeholder Collaboration and Management
- Forges collaborative partnerships with campus stakeholders to jointly develop innovative training programs and events. This entails identifying collaborative opportunities and working closely with staff members from these groups in planning and execution
- Engages with external organizations to conceptualize, design, and facilitate special programs or events that deliver outstanding experiences with real-life problems to explore
- Facilitates connections between innovative students and industry or societal problem spaces, fostering meaningful engagement and exploration
- Manages stakeholders' expectations regarding the outcomes and impact of programs and events, and ensures that these align with available resources and timelines
- Negotiates partnerships and sponsorships with external organizations interested in engaging with Velocity and sponsoring activities involving Velocity founders

Team Management
- Manages programs and events personnel to ensure that the team is performing effectively and that they can learn and develop professionally
- Provides guidance, coaching, and performance management
- Provides leadership within the programs and events team

Qualifications:

- University degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
- A minimum of seven years of experience in program and event strategy, planning and implementation
- Experience in building and maintaining strong relationships with the ability to build consensus among multiple parties internal and external to the organization
- Managerial experience of high-performing events and programming teams
- Experience meeting and dealing with external partners, determining their needs, and aligning to the organization
- Experience in gathering and analyzing feedback data to make informed decisions for continuous improvement
- Demonstrated ability to manage one’s time, prioritizing multiple demands and competing requests for time and support from clients
- Current knowledge about the l