Manager, Operations and Business Development – Events

This Full time on site position offers great opportunities for career growth. Posting Reason: Temporary replacement of a regular position. Job Type: Employee. Anticipated Duration in Months: 8. Job Family: Business Strategy and Planning. # of Open Positions: 1. Faculty/Service - Department: Student Affairs, Client Relations. Campus: Main Campus. Union Affiliation: N/A. Date Posted: 2026/09/24. Applications must be received BEFORE: 2026/10/05. Hours per week: 35. Salary Grade: Non-Union Grade NM1. Salary Range: $107,503.00 - $134,379.00.

About Student Affairs: Student Affairs is at the very heart of the student experience at the University of Ottawa. We recruit the very best future students, support them throughout their university years and leave them well-prepared for fulfilling careers and future studies. Our team of more than 600 dedicated staff provides the services that keep students happy, well and thriving as they pursue their ambitions.

Position Purpose: To ensure the integrated management of all in-house and outsourced services related to hosting multi-facetted events/activities for the campus community, summer operations/hoteling and technical services to sustain a high level of user satisfaction and loyalty in a manner that reflects positively on the University of Ottawa’s reputation. Provides transversal leadership to the team to mobilize and seize all opportunities that achieve optimal performance in an auto-financed framework. Demonstrates business acumen in making and adjusting the business planning in response to fluctuating external conditions, market demand and effective management of all internal and external resources.

The role focuses on building supplier relationships, monitoring client satisfaction through key metrics, and developing policies to optimize space usage and operational efficiency. It contributes to business growth by leveraging networking skills, leading participation in major industry events, and forming strategic organizational partnerships to boost campus revenue and enhance the University’s external reputation. Additionally, the role involves negotiating and managing agreements with stakeholders, regularly reviewing processes, and establishing financial terms for space rentals to ensure efficient operations, timely payment processing, and optimal use of campus spaces.

Establishes the vision, goals, and target markets for events and summer hoteling services, developing performance metrics and aligning with departmental strategies. Leads business development initiatives by identifying revenue opportunities through targeted markets, sales strategies, and industry partnerships. Continuously evaluates and adapts plans based on market trends to enhance visibility, financial viability, and the institution’s reputation. Builds and nurtures strong relationships with stakeholders, including students, staff, external clients, suppliers, and merchants, to foster collaboration and ensure a client-centric approach.

Uses metrics, surveys, and feedback to monitor and enhance service quality, adjusting action plans to meet evolving client expectations and maintain high satisfaction levels. Provides strategic guidance and logistical support to operational teams, adapting team structures to accommodate departmental growth. Manages human resources, including within unionized settings, fostering a productive workplace and ensuring alignment with departmental goals. Stays current on best practices, offering insights to improve departmental effectiveness and maintain high standards in quality, deadlines, and budgets. Enhance operational efficiency.

Oversees the development and upkeep of IT platforms in collaboration with Housing Services and IT, ensuring they meet departmental needs, reduce errors, and improve productivity.

What You Will Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in event management, hotel management, a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• At least 10 years related experience in hotel and/or restaurant industry, event management or other related experiences.
• At least 8 years in a team management role.
• Bilingualism: French and English (spoken and written).
• Experience in managing a multifaceted ‘events’ sector and sales team.
• Strong understanding of the sales process from prospecting to close.
• Knowledge of budget management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of liquor licence laws, FIPPA privacy legislation, city event permits and laws, hoteling rates.
• Motivated and driven to finding and developing new opportunities and business relationships.
• Ability to initiate and complete activities, projects, changes, policies without direct supervision.
• Strong organizational skills to set priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Proven ability to work with information systems for data analysis and reporting.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Proactive, autonomous, and able to work with limited supervision.
• Some travel or work outside regular business hours or on weekends may be required.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business materials, technical procedures or governmental regulations.

Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.

Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encouraging positive results.

Client Service Orientation: Help or serve others to meet their needs.

Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperate and work well with other members of the team to reach common goal(s).

Note: if this is a union position: The hiring process will be governed by the current collective agreement related to the union affiliation noted above.

The University of Ottawa embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We foster a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel our quest for research and teaching excellence.

While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2S+ persons. The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier-free work environment.

Applicants with disabilities may contact hrtalentmanagement@uottawa.ca to communicate the accommodation need. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.