About ventureLAB
ventureLAB is a not-for-profit leading global founder community for hardware technology and enterprise software companies in Canada. Our organization is led by seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders with decades of industry experience in building IP-rich start-ups, scale-ups, and global multinationals to help businesses scale. Located at the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor in York Region, ventureLAB is part of one of the biggest and most diverse tech communities in Canada. Since 2011, ventureLAB has enabled over 2,000 tech ventures to create over 4,000 jobs and raise more than $200 million in investment capital through our initiatives focused on raising capital, talent retention, technology and IP commercialization, and customer acquisition. Together with our community of entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and partners, we enable technology startups to accelerate the commercialization of transformational products on a global scale. ventureLAB is home to the Hardware Catalyst Initiative — Canada’s only lab and incubator for hardware and semiconductor-focused companies. At ventureLAB, we grow globally competitive tech titans that build-to-scale in Canada — for global markets.
Our Mission
Powering hardtech founders to build and scale globally competitive ventures that advance Canada's knowledge-based economy.
Our Vision
Born Global. Built to Scale. Inclusive by Design. Inspire a new generation of global founders who choose Canada to scale IP-rich tech titans creating innovative hardware and scale-ready enterprise software solutions that transform communities and establish a blueprint for a more sustainable, inclusive tech ecosystem.
Our Values — Team RIVIR
- Relentless: We are tenacious and resilient. We follow through and remove roadblocks so together we succeed and go further.
- Inclusive: We are empathetic, open-minded and collaborate respectfully so that we build trust with each other and value diverse opinions, ideas and perspectives to learn and make better decisions.
- Visionary: We inspire bold futures with our founders, team, partners and community by challenging each other respectfully and thinking differently.
- Innovative: We celebrate ingenuity and empower the team to create new ideas, processes and strategies. We are curious and resourceful by asking questions for clarity.
- Results: We are proactive and plan. We are accountable and focused. We are direct and transparent through fact-based discussions.
ventureLAB is made up of passionate, driven individuals, and is growing quickly. It is a fast-paced, flexible environment where individual contributors make a big difference and work collaboratively to achieve shared goals. We are proud to be one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures and a Great Place to Work®.
The Opportunity
ventureLAB is seeking an Event Manager who is passionate about creating memorable experiences with engaging content and creative elements. You have a keen understanding of event sponsorship strategy and fundraising methodologies. You enjoy networking and connecting people with our brand, creating meaningful, profitable, memorable and innovative experiences for all attendees.
The Manager will report to the Director, Events, Sponsorships & Partnerships, and work collaboratively and cross-functionally with other departments to conceptualize, execute, and promote ventureLAB’s events.
About You
- You are a self-initiating, detail-oriented team player with a passion for creating and executing engaging, inspirational event experiences
- You are creative and think outside the box to bring new and exciting ideas to engage our audiences
- You enjoy collaborating with others and can communicate effectively
- You strive on building relationships and motivating others to achieve common goals for the organization and our founders
- You are agile and think quick on your feet when things don’t go as planned
- You are a critical thinker who is well organized with outstanding time management to execute immediate tasks while planning for future events
- Will support in the creation of events that champion ventureLAB’s mission, vision, impact, and values for diverse audiences
- You have a strong networking skills to build relationships with vendors, suppliers, sponsors and other stakeholders
What You’ll Do:
Event planning, support & execution:
- Provide support required to ensure the efficient and effective planning of multiple events, delegations and international missions
- Work cross-departmentally to support in the execution of events to ensure alignment with our brand and vision
- Work cross-departmentally to offer support in utilizing event tools and strategies for event planning
- Management of ventureLAB event calendar, event intakes and event tracking metrics
- Support external event rentals that align with ventureLAB vision and mission
- Maintain efficient and proactive communications with key event stakeholders and staff while building lasting relationships
- Support the execution of sponsorship strategies
- Work cross-departmentally to implement new event formats, tools/resources and vendor lists
- Work closely with the marketing team to align on strategies and content as it relates to the event
ventureLAB annual HardTech Conference:
- Provide support alongside key team members on the planning and execution of ventureLAB’s annual HardTech Summit
- Support with communications to key stakeholders such as speakers, sponsors, and management
- Management of event metrics, wrap reports, and various presentations before, during and post events as applicable
- Support with securing aligned sponsors, speakers and other stakeholders
- Working cross functionally with the Marketing department to align on a strategic marketing plan for materials such as newsletters, social messaging, partner/founder promotional packages and more
Qualifications & Skills
- Completion of a post-secondary education in Hospitality Management, Event Management or a related field with 5+ years of event planning experience, preferably in a not-for-profit or government organization
- Experience with industry best practices to deploy various meetings, delivering in an in-person, virtual or hybrid environment, and comfortable using technology to facilitate events and planning activities
- Experience with planning & coordinating events that are executed nationally and internationally
- Strong multitasking ability to coordinate and plan multiple events simultaneously at a fast pace
- Knowledge of risk management to identify potential legal liabilities and take steps to mitigate them
- Experience with planning large scale conferences of 500+ attendees
- Experience with preparing and executing various communication materials to stakeholders
- Strong ability to work as part of a team and independently
- Ability to anticipate and plan for different and worst case scenarios (i.e EAP Plans) and demonstrate strong conflict management skills
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and G-Suite
- Demonstrates great interpersonal skills along with excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Must be a hands-on self-starter with the ability to manage multiple events and shifting priorities
- Experience working with start-ups is an asset
- Experience working in the tech ecosystem is an asset
How to Apply
Apply by June 28th to hr@venturelab.ca quoting “Event Manager – Job ID 202350” in the subject line. Include your resume and a brief note telling us why you’d be a great addition to the ventureLAB team. Early submissions are encouraged as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
At ventureLAB, we value diversity, inclusion, and respect. Diverse experience, perspectives, and backgrounds bring great ideas and create stronger teams — we embrace it, because we know that by including everyone, we all thrive. Accommodations are available on request for candidates with disabilities taking part in the recruitment process.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only qualified candidates will be contacted.
