Manager, Special Events, Rewards and Recognition Programs

JOB INFORMATION

Requisition ID: [[id]]
Number of Vacancies: [[numberOpenings]]
Department: Marketing and Customer Experience - Special Events, Rewards & Recognition Program
Salary Information: [[custJOAnnualizedSalary1]] - [[custJOAnnualizedSalary2]]
Pay Scale Group: 10SA
Employment Type: [[jobGrade3]] - Temporary (up to 12 months) Hybrid
Vacancy:Existing

Weekly Hours: [[custStandardHours]] Off Days: [[custOffDays]] Shift: [[custShift]]
Posted On: November 13, 2026
Last Day to Apply: November 26, 2026
Reports to: [[custReportsToTitle]]

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), North America's third largest transit system and recognized as one of the top places to work in the GTA has introduced its new 2024-2028 TTC Corporate Plan - Moving Toronto, Connecting Communities which continues the TTC’s legacy of delivering service to hundreds of millions of customers a year. The TTC’s new vision and mission statements also help promote the many environmental, social equity and economic benefits that the TTC provides:

Vision: Moving Toronto towards a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future.

Mission: To serve the needs of transit riders by providing a safe, reliable, efficient, and accessible mass public transit service through a seamless integrated network to create access to opportunity for everyone.

The full Plan can be viewed on ttc.ca.

Career Opportunity

Join the TTC’s Marketing and Communications team during an exciting period of growth and transformation. We are seeking a strategic and results-oriented Manager, Special Events, Rewards and Recognition Programs to lead a diverse portfolio of high-profile events, public engagement initiatives and employee recognition programs.

This role provides strategic leadership and oversight of programs that enhance the TTC’s reputation, strengthen employee engagement, foster meaningful stakeholder relationships and support the organization’s broader business objectives.

The successful candidate will be an experienced leader who excels at managing complex, high-profile initiatives, building collaborative relationships and balancing competing priorities in a dynamic, public-sector environment. They will bring strong financial and business acumen, sound judgment and a passion for creating impactful experiences that connect employees, customers and communities with the TTC.

What You Will

Reporting to the Head of Marketing and Communications, you will provide strategic direction and operational oversight for the TTC’s Special Events and Rewards and Recognition Programs portfolio. You will lead a team responsible for the planning, development and delivery of internal and external events, employee engagement initiatives and recognition programs that support the TTC’s strategic objectives and corporate reputation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for a diverse portfolio of special events, public activations, corporate initiatives, stakeholder engagement activities and employee programs, ensuring alignment with TTC priorities and organizational objectives.
• Lead the development, planning and execution of high-profile events and public engagement initiatives, including press conferences, public forums, launch events, corporate initiatives and major stakeholder events.
• Oversee the delivery and continuous improvement of employee engagement and recognition initiatives, including Long Service, Retirement, Safety and Awards programs, ensuring programs remain relevant, impactful and aligned with TTC’s organizational culture and values.
• Provide strategic oversight of major corporate and employee engagement events and programs, including corporate celebrations, employee recognition events, accessibility initiatives and seasonal events.
• Oversee the TTC Subway Musicians Program and other initiatives that enhance the customer experience and contribute to a positive public perception of the TTC. In 2027, support the auditions and licensing of new musicians.
• Manage a complex departmental operating budget, including financial planning, forecasting, monitoring, variance analysis, and reporting. Ensure effective financial stewardship, accountability, and alignment with departmental priorities.
• Oversee the development and management of individual event and program budgets, ensuring appropriate resource allocation, cost control, financial reporting, and adherence to approved budgets.
• Manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects and competing priorities, providing direction on resource allocation, project planning, risk mitigation and issue resolution.
• Oversee procurement activities, contracts and vendor relationships, ensuring value for money and compliance with TTC policies, procedures and financial controls.
• Establish appropriate governance, accountability and performance measurement frameworks to evaluate program effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement, and support informed decision-making.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal departments, executive leadership, government partners, community organizations, external stakeholders, and service providers.
• Anticipate and mitigate operational, reputational, accessibility and safety risks associated with events and programs, ensuring appropriate planning, approvals and contingency measures are in place.
• Lead, coach and develop a multidisciplinary team, establishing clear priorities, fostering collaboration, and building the capacity required to deliver a complex and evolving portfolio.
• Serve as Ex-Officio for the TTC Recreation Council.
• Foster an inclusive, respectful and accessible workplace by supporting TTC’s commitments under the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and related policies.
• Participate in the TTC Customer Service Ambassador Program.

What Qualifications Do You Bring?

• University degree or college diploma in Business Administration, Hospitality, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or a related field, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Extensive experience in special events management, corporate events, marketing, communications, employee engagement, stakeholder relations or related program management.
• CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) designation is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic leadership and oversight of complex programs and projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities and interdependent timelines.
• Proven experience developing, managing and monitoring complex operating budgets, including financial planning, forecasting, variance analysis and financial reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple event and program budgets, allocate resources effectively, exercise financial controls and ensure accountability for expenditures.
• Experience with procurement processes, contract administration, vendor management and financial stewardship.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams, establish priorities, allocate resources and foster a collaborative and accountable work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-profile initiatives, anticipate and mitigate risks, resolve complex issues and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional relationship management, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance strategic planning with operational oversight.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, SharePoint and related software tools; familiarity with graphic design applications is an asset.
• Experience managing programs, projects, budgets, or teams within a large, complex or unionized organization is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of, or the ability to quickly acquire, expertise in the Ontario Human Rights Code, accessibility legislation, disability accommodation requirements and related workplace obligations.
• Valid Ontario Class G driver’s licence for event set up and related activities.

Skills

• Apply analytical skills
• Manage projects
• Communicate in a variety of mediums
• Plan and organize activities / projects to meet section and organizational goals
• Use office technology, software and applications

Commitment to EDI

The TTC is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, anti-racism and inclusion in the delivery of its services and in its workplaces. The TTC is committed to fostering a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities it serves at all levels of the organization and supports an inclusive environment where diverse employee and community perspectives and experiences bring value to the organization. The TTC encourages applications from all applicants, including members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including but not limited to, Indigenous, Black and racialized groups, people with disabilities, women and people from the LGBTQIA+ community. The TTC values and supports an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process. Accommodations for applicants are available upon request throughout the recruitment and selection process, including for those who identify as having a disability. Please contact Talent Management at (416) 393-4570 or [email protected] . Any information received related to an accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

General Prohibition in Hiring Process

The TTC is also committed to a fair hiring process based on job related qualifications, merit, and abilities. You are expected to write your own materials and provide your own qualifications and experiences during the hiring process. The TTC will not tolerate the use of artificial intelligence or external resources in any of your submissions or responses, or the disclosure of interview questions to others. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• The use of any artificial intelligence (AI) tool including, but not limited to, ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, to generate or produce any information or materials to be submitted or any response to any assessment question or any interview question, is prohibited.
• All information and materials you submit, including resume, cover letter, and assessment responses, are your own original work without the use of any AI tool
• During any interview, your response to any interview question is your own without the use or assistance of any AI tool or any person.
• You will not disseminate or disclose to any person any interview question.

Should you breach the prohibition of AI tool use, or information dissemination or disclosure, you will be in violation of TTC’s hiring process and TTC may withdraw your application and may prohibit you from participation in the TTC hiring process.

Relatives of TTC Employees

The TTC’s policy prohibits relatives of current TTC employees from being hired, assigned, transferred or promoted into positions, where there is a conflict of interest due to a relationship. Should you be selected for an interview, you will be required to disclose the name, relationship and position of any relative who is a current TTC employee.

We thank all applicants for their interest but advise only those selected for an interview will be contacted.