The Opportunity
The Tournament Specialist supports the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of all tournaments operated at CSMI managed facilities, including the Bell Sensplex, Cavanagh Sensplex, and Richcraft Sensplex, under the Sensplex Tournaments brand.
This role combines hands-on event leadership and execution with staff training and supervision, scheduling, marketing execution, and client service, while acting as a key support to the Tournaments Manager in achieving enrollment and guest experience objectives. The Tournament Specialist plays a critical role in delivering world-class tournament experiences that reflect the Ottawa Senators and Sensplex brands.
This position requires regular weekend, and holiday availability, particularly during tournament weekends.
Key Responsibilities
Tournament Operations & Event Execution
- Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of youth and adult hockey tournaments of all sizes, ensuring operational excellence across all events
- Maintain a primary focus on participant experience; ensuring all aspects of each tournament are run to the highest possible quality. This includes identifying areas of improvement and working with management to implement enhancements / solutions.
- Review and distribute high-quality tournament schedules with exceptional attention to detail and on-time delivery
- Support on-site tournament leadership, supervising staff and volunteers during events to ensure smooth operations and guest satisfaction
- Help ensure tournaments are delivered with the highest standards of competitive balance, fairness, and professionalism
- Maintain all tournament documentation including game sheets, waivers, schedules, and digital event files
- Ensure all tournament websites are set up professionally and kept current both leading up to and during each tournament
- Listen, use sound judgment, and assist with supplementary discipline issues while ensuring all governing body rules and regulations are followed with 100% accuracy
Staff Leadership & Development
- Hire, train, supervise, and coach part-time tournament staff, interns, and volunteers
- Assist the Tournaments Manager with staff training sessions, onboarding, and ongoing development initiatives of full-time coordinators and part-time staff
- Provide day-to-day leadership, feedback, and support to event staff, reinforcing a culture of accountability, high-performance, and guest service excellence
- Lead staff during tournament weekends, including supervising 30+ staff and volunteers per event as required
- Help shape a workplace environment which is a positive and inclusive environment for all; including identifying areas of improvement and implementing change as required
Client, Partner & Stakeholder Relations
- Serve as a primary point of contact for teams, coaches, parents, hockey executives, and corporate clients before, during, and after tournaments
- Assist with the management of relationships with host minor hockey associations, partners, sponsors, and suppliers in a professional and positive manner
- Handle escalated customer service issues on-site and remotely, including dealing with difficult situations and individuals calmly and effectively
- Ensure accurate, timely, and consistent communication with all tournament participants
Marketing, Registration & Communications
- Assist with creative initiatives to drive enrollment using a proactive, “whatever it takes” approach
- Manage and update tournament websites and social media platforms to ensure information is accurate, current, and engaging
- Support sponsorship initiatives and assist with the delivery of sponsor commitments during events
- Analyze post-event surveys and assist in using feedback to support continuous improvement
- Maintain databases of tournament contacts and registration information using MS Excel and other systems
Organizational & Cross-Departmental Support
- Serve on interdepartmental committees as required (e.g., Guest Experience, Emergency Preparedness, Occupational Health & Safety)
- Occasionally assist with the execution, planning, or marketing of CSMI-run leagues, camps, clinics, and other programs
- Ensure all policies and procedures set out by CSMI, the Director of Hockey Programs, the Tournaments Manager, and Senators Sports & Entertainment are always followed
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Tournaments Manager or Senior Manager, Program Operations
Health & Safety Responsibilities and Accountabilities
- Work in compliance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA), associated regulations, and internal policies and procedures
- Use or wear required protective equipment as necessary
- Report missing, damaged, or defective equipment that could pose a safety risk
- Report any contravention of OHSA, regulations, or Senators Sports & Entertainment policies and procedures
Training
- Responsible for completing on-line training modules as required and for ensuring all reports do the same.
Qualifications (what we look for)
- Superior leadership skills & experience
- Previous experience with the preparation for, and execution of, tournaments / events
- A proven track record of guiding a group of staff to achieve common goals
- A proven ability to obtain a high level of mutual respect with co-workers and staff
- Outgoing and positive personality capable of forming relationships with staff and clients quickly and effectively
- This position is ideally suited to those seeking beginner or intermediate level management positions with an unmatched work ethic, a “whatever it takes” attitude, and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- University degree or college diploma in sports, business or communications related field
- Must be fully knowledgeable with the rules of hockey (experience as a hockey player and/or hockey coach required) and have a general understanding of all factors which influence the successful operation of quality leagues and tournaments
- Significant customer service experience with an organization who leads their field in this area
- Ability to maintain a broad focus while attending to details
- Previous experience in event planning / management
- Must be proficient with MS Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook) with special emphasis on MS Excel
- Team player with a very strong work ethic & commitment to excellence
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
- Ability to work under pressure situations and deal with difficult people on a regular basis
- Ability to meet tight deadlines & adapt to changing work environments
- Must have own means of transportation & valid driver’s license
- Must be available to work evenings & weekends as required and work flexible hours
- Bilingualism (English & French) an asset
What We Offer
Employees will have the opportunity to work in a unique industry, with access to to memorable fan experiences, and exclusive perks such as: staff tickets to games and events, partnership discounts (Goodlife, etc.), and free on-site parking - along with the chance to contribute to an organization that takes pride in its people, its performance, and its community.
This role is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, wellness subsidy, and retirement programs. Support for continued learning (tuition reimbursement) is available, as well as access to multiple learning platforms.
Active social committee, which hosts multiple large-scale events throughout the year.
This role falls within a base salary range of $43,500.00 - $66,600.00 annually, consistent with the organization’s established salary ranges. Salary ranges are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to market data, internal equity, education, relevant experience, knowledge, and applicable skillset.
We would like to thank all applicants for applying; however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications received will be maintained on file for a period of 6 months and may be referenced for future staffing requirements.
Senators Sports & Entertainment supports the goals of Ontario Regulation 191/11 - Integrated Accessibility Standards and is pleased to accommodate applicants who have a disability during the recruitment process. Please inform the Human Resources Department at 613-599-0250 if you require disability-related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process.
SSE is committed to building an inclusive process that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.
SSE confirms that it does not use artificial intelligence (AI) or automated decision-making tools in its recruitment or hiring processes. All candidate screening, evaluation, and selection decisions are conducted by human recruiters or hiring managers using predefined, job-related criteria, ensuring a fair, transparent, and human-led hiring process in compliance with applicable employment and privacy laws
