What we're looking for:

This position provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the newly formed organization which will oversee Sasktel Center and TCU Place in Saskatoon, SK. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be responsible for integrating two previously separate facilities into a single high performing, financially sustainable organization that strengthens community impact, expands commercial activities, enhances customer experience and delivers long term value to the City of Saskatoon. The CEO will be responsible for creating a cohesive culture and strategy, aligning systems and reporting infrastructure and coordinating sales, marketing, programming and customer experience.

The CEO implements Board approved direction, oversees operations, people, financial performance and capital stewardship and ensures the facility delivers high quality, safe, and sustainable events and services. The CEO is also responsible for advancing commercial growth, strengthening the organization’s market position, diversifying revenue streams, and supporting a positive cash flow return to the City from operations. This position is the primary liaison between the Board of Directors, staff, key stakeholders, and the broader community.

The work you'll be involved in:

• Provides executive leadership for all aspects of the organization, including operations, event, theatre and conference programming, marketing, finance, human resources, risk management and facility management across TCU Place and Sasktel Center
• Leads the integration of the consolidated organization, aligning strategy, culture, systems, structures, service standards, and reporting across both facilities.
• Develops and implements the Board approved strategic plan, goals, objectives, and performance standards, and provides advice and recommendations to the Board on policy, strategy, and risk. Ensures Board reporting is timely, accurate and supports decision making.
• Oversees safe and efficient operation and maintenance of the facility, ensuring coordination of all physical, staffing, and technical requirements for events and programs
• Directs the preparation and delivery of annual operating and capital budgets, long range financial plans and asset management priorities. Ensures operational, financial, and performance reports are delivered in accordance with Board policies and legislative requirements
• Ensures appropriate financial controls, cost management systems, and reporting processes are in place to support organizational sustainability.
• Leads, coaches, mentors, evaluates, and develops the management team and staff, fostering a positive, inclusive, and high performance workplace culture.
• Leads the commercial strategy to grow bookings, attendance, utilization, sponsorship, rentals premium offerings, partnerships and additional revenue streams to support DEED, create a positive community impact and deliver positive returns to the City from ongoing operations.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with City administration, City Council, community organizations, promoters, customers/guests, sponsors, tenants, tourism and hospitality partners, educational institutions, Indigenous partners, and the public.
• Manages supply side operations to incorporate local suppliers and contractors where possible including actively pursing partnerships with Nations to advance to City’s procurement targets
• Acts as a visible ambassador at the local, regional, national, and international levels, works collaboratively with tourism agencies to build and secure event bids
• Ensures ongoing awareness of industry trends, market conditions, opportunities, and risks, and implements strategies to enhance competitiveness, strengthen relevance and mitigate risks
• Develop a sponsorship strategy and actively pursue facility and event sponsors
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Board of Directors

Who we are looking for:

• Undergraduate degree in Commerce, Business Administration, hospitality, venue management or a related field; preferably supplemented by a Master’s or other equivalent education or training.
• Minimum of ten years of progressive management experience, including at least five years direct executive level experience in financial and people management in a similarly complex operation.
• Strong knowledge of municipal government public accountability, and the relationship between civic ownership and arms-length operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, integration, and culture-building in complex environments.
• Proven ability to build strategic partnerships and work effectively with promotors, event producers, sponsors, tenants, community leaders, Indigenous partners, tourism agencies and government stakeholders to build community value and balance major events and ongoing operations.
• Thorough knowledge of customer service principles, policies, and procedures and ability to deliver high quality internal and external customer service environments.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, capital planning, and risk management.
• Deep knowledge of the convention, banquet, cultural and entertainment industries.
• Ability to recognize and analyze significant emerging trends and implement actions to maximize performance and mitigate the risks.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and public leadership skills.