Events Management Trainee

Department: Athletics Facilities
This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

Temporary full-time from 08/31/2026 to 08/30/2028

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.

Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

General Purpose

The University of Guelph is located in the City of Guelph which is a vibrant community of over 150,000 people, located in south-western Ontario, 100 kilometres west of Toronto. 

Consistently ranked one of the best comprehensive universities in Canada, the University of Guelph is committed to the development of the whole student. The Facility and Events Unit within the Department of Athletics play a valuable role in supporting this mission. The Facility and Events Unit provides important experiential learning opportunities to part-time students that prepare them for future employment.  Facility and Events support a strong athletics program of excellence including, varsity programs, intramurals, active kids, clubs, recreation and fitness.

Reporting to the Supervisor of Events, the Management Trainee contributes to one of the best Athletics Facility and Event Units across the country and this position plays a pivotal role in the Department of Athletics & Recreation. The University of Guelph Athletics Department is seeking an enthusiastic, organized, and service-oriented Events Management Trainee (EMT) to support the planning, coordination, and delivery of varsity athletics competitions, tournaments, championships, and special events.

This is a hands-on, developmental role designed for individuals looking to build a career in sport and event management. The EMT will gain practical experience in event operations, staff leadership, concessions management, risk management, and game-day execution while helping deliver exceptional experiences for students, athletes, fans, and community partners.

• Typical schedule: Wednesday–Sunday, primarily evenings and weekends, aligned with varsity competition and major event schedules. This is an active role requiring walking, standing, lifting, and event setup/teardown activities; exposure to indoor and outdoor event environments and changing weather conditions; and participation in more than 120 varsity events annually plus major university special events

Duties and Responsibilities

Event Operations & Management

• Coordinate and support home varsity games, tournaments, championships, convocation, Orientation Week, private rentals, and special university events.
• Assist with event planning, logistics, facility setup, signage, AV equipment, sponsorship activations, VIP areas, and game-day operations.
• Provide on-site leadership and troubleshoot operational issues in real time.
• Coordinate with campus partners, officials, clients, vendors, and event stakeholders.
• Support event teardown, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Promote a safe, welcoming, and engaging event experience for all participants and spectators.

Staffing

• Assist with scheduling, hiring, onboarding, and payroll preparation.
• Mentor student staff and contribute to experiential learning opportunities.
• Foster a positive team culture focused on customer service, safety, and professionalism.

Concessions Operations

• Manage concessions inventory ordering, tracking, and replenishment.
• Support reconciliation, reporting, and inventory.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.

Mascot Program & Community Engagement

• Coordinate mascot appearances at varsity games, campus activities, and community events.
• Schedule performers and maintain mascot costumes and equipment.
• Support community outreach initiatives and departmental promotional activities.

Requirements

• Two year Community College graduation, along with some related experience. Undergraduate degree (or nearing completion) in Sport Management, Event Management, Sports Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Valid Standard First Aid, CPR, AED, WHMIS, and AODA certifications.
• Strong organizational, communication, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to work independently and part of a team, in a fast-paced environment. 
• Valid G Driver’s Licence.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Teams, Word) and event-related technology, such as a ticketing platform. 
• Flexible work hours and scheduling.
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends.

The successful candidate must value diversity of experiences and perspectives and will play a significant role in supporting and enhancing Athletic and Recreation’s Safe Sport, Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and community building efforts, actions and initiatives, and be dedicated to The Gryphon Way.

Employee Type: Temporary 
Position Number: 10927808 
Classification: Classification: $51,128- $57,945  P&M FT- Band 01

Professional/Managerial Salary Bands 

*Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date:  08/07/2026  
Closing Date:  08/14/2026