About the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is a not-for-profit community organization that preserves and promotes our western heritage, cultures and community spirit with a vision to create a world-class, year-round gathering place for the community. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, the Stampede is one of the most respected volunteer-based organizations in the world governed by a Board of Directors with over 2,500 passionate volunteers and 1,200 year-round employees.
As an organization that exists for the benefit of the community, inclusion and equity are woven into our core values of western hospitality, pride of place, integrity and commitment to the community. The world-class, year-round gathering place we have built for the community also welcomes visitors from around the world and those who are new to the local community. We know that blending diverse cultures with our long-standing traditions makes community spirit thrive.
Position Summary
The Assistant Manager, Catering & Events, is a hands‑on operational leader who owns the floor and drives exceptional event execution. This role is built for someone who thrives in fast‑paced service environments, leads with confidence, and makes decisive, in‑the‑moment calls that keep teams aligned and events running flawlessly. Working closely with the Manager, Catering & Events, you’ll take ownership of how events unfold from set-up to service to breakdown while shaping team performance, elevating service standards, and ensuring every guest experience reflects excellence.
This is a leadership role with impact. You’ll guide Operations Managers, Supervisors and frontline teams, orchestrate multiple events simultaneously, manage labour and scheduling with intention, and champion cross‑functional communication that keeps operations seamless.
Roles and Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:
Operational Execution
- Manage the operational catering cycle and event delivery across each event, from pre-event setup and briefings through to service execution and post-event breakdown, with accountability for outcomes at every stage
- Ensure all event spaces are operationally ready ahead of client and guest arrival, coordinating with culinary, AV, Event Managers and venue teams as required
- Manage logistics across simultaneous events, prioritizing resources and communication to maintain service consistency
- Assume full operational ownership of the floor when the Manager is unavailable exercising independent decision-making authority to resolve service challenges, reallocate resources, and uphold operational standards without escalation
Independent Floor Leadership
- Maintain a consistent, visible, and engaged floor presence during operational periods leading with authority, modelling service standards in the moment, and making independent decisions that keep operations on track
- Direct Operations Managers, Supervisors and frontline staff during event execution ensuring role clarity, task ownership, and in-the-moment accountability across the team
- Drive a culture of professionalism, urgency, and hospitality awareness among operational teams
- Uphold standards of service while always coaching and defining new and notable opportunities
- Conduct pre-event briefings and post-event debriefs to build team capability and capture operational learnings
Operational Coordination & Business Awareness
- Manage labour scheduling and staffing deployment across assigned events, making decisions that balance service standards, operational efficiency, and cost awareness
- Maintain operational documentation including event runsheets, BEO alignment, and staffing records
- Drive clear communication across catering, culinary, event management, and venue operations
- Develop growing financial awareness across scheduling, event costing, and operational planning, building business acumen that underpins progression to business unit leadership
People Development & Supervisory Accountability
- Take direct ownership of onboarding and early development for new frontline staff, setting clear expectations from day one and building competency in service standards, product knowledge, and operational procedures that the team can rely on under pressure
- Hold the team to clear behavioural expectations and performance standards through consistent, real-time coaching and feedback that builds capability rather than simply correcting mistakes
- Identify emerging talent within frontline teams, proactively sharing clear development insights and growth recommendations with the Manager to strengthen the division’s succession pipeline
Qualifications and Education Requirements
The ideal candidate will be proactive, optimistic and have worked in a dynamic environment where they have experience delivering on multiple priorities and will hold the following qualifications:
- Post-secondary education in Hospitality, Event Management, or related field preferred
- A minimum of 3 years progressive F&B leadership in banquet, catering, hotel, high beverage activations or event operations, with a track record of owning outcomes on the floor
- Demonstrated independent floor leadership in high-volume service environments, with the confidence to make real-time decisions
- Strong organizational capability and the ability to manage competing priorities across simultaneous events, with a developing awareness of how operational decisions connect to financial and guest experience outcomes
- Experience in convention centres, hotels, banquets, arenas, or large multi-event venues is considered an asset
- Exposure to labour scheduling tools and event management systems
Benefits
The Calgary Stampede offers a unique and exciting work environment, an excellent total compensation package and the opportunity for advancement and employee training.
To Apply
To apply, please submit your resume.
All applicants are thanked in advance and advised that only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
