Director, Strategic Initiatives & Events South
Bird Creatives
Proposed Position Title: Director, Events and Strategic Initiatives South
Position Type: 1.0 FTE
Compensation: $43 – $50 per hour
Reports to: Principal Consultant
Location: Calgary-based. Current team members are mostly based around Calgary and Edmonton, but we’re not urban snobs! We all work remotely, so access to a reliable computer and internet connection is crucial. Some meetings and events may require you to be in-person occasionally.
Position Description
We are looking for a visionary and collaborative director of strategic initiatives & events, south, to lead the design and delivery of bold, community-driven projects across Alberta’s creative economy.
This role sits at the intersection of strategy, community engagement and small and large-scale event production — bringing ideas to life through meaningful partnerships, innovative programming and unforgettable experiences. From city-shaping festivals to cultural strategies and industry initiatives, you’ll help guide work that connects people, amplifies creativity and strengthens communities.
At Bird, we work alongside our clients — artists, non-profits, municipalities and industry leaders—to co-create impact through creativity, connection and collaboration.
What You’ll Lead
Strategic Initiatives & Creative Projects
- Lead the development and execution of strategic initiatives that support the arts, culture and creative industries.
- Guide projects such as cultural strategies, music city initiatives and community engagement frameworks.
- Collaborate with partners (municipalities, non-profits, industry orgs) to co-create impactful, community-centred solutions.
- Translate research and insights into actionable plans, policies and legacy strategies. Identify opportunities for innovation, partnerships, and long-term impact across the creative ecosystem.
Strategic Events, Festivals & Experiences
- Oversee the end-to-end delivery of major events, festivals and activations (e.g., city-wide festivals, awards galas, international showcases).
- Lead projects similar in scale and complexity to:
- Chinook Blast (city-wide winter festival)
- Canadian Country Music Awards
- Special Olympics Canada Winter Games ceremonies
- Community markets, music series and cultural activations
- Ensure events are not only operationally excellent, but deeply engaging, inclusive and reflective of the communities they serve.
- Drive innovation in experience design, programming and audience engagement.
Partnerships & Community Building
- Build and nurture strong relationships with clients, sponsors, artists and community partners.
- Act as a trusted advisor to organizations navigating the creative and cultural landscape.
- Lead sponsorship, community engagement and partnership development efforts.
- Champion Bird Creatives’ relational, community-first approach in every project.
Leadership & Operations
- Lead, mentor and inspire a team of creatives, producers and strategists.
- Oversee project portfolios, ensuring alignment with timelines, budgets and impact goals.
- Develop scalable systems and playbooks for both strategic initiatives and event delivery.
- Contribute to company growth, business development and thought leadership in the creative sector.
Why Bird Creatives
- Work on projects that shape cities, culture and community.
- Collaborate with a team of artists, changemakers and builders.
- Be part of a company that values creativity, relationships and meaningful impact.
Who You Are
- A strategic thinker with a passion for arts, culture and community impact.
- A proven leader in complex project delivery—from strategy to execution.
- Deeply experienced in large-scale event production, festivals and cultural programming.
- Skilled at building relationships across many groups (government, nonprofit, creative industries).
- Comfortable working in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.
- A connector—someone who brings people, ideas and opportunities together.
The ideal candidate is… well, we don’t know who you are yet. We’re a wonderfully diverse and welcoming team, so we’re not going to ask you to fit into a box. If you find the above position description imposing, just know that we aren’t looking for perfection; we’re striving for excellence, together.
Ideally, candidates will have at least 8 – 10 years of related experience. Demonstrable experience in event management, strategy and business development. We’re open to conversation around your skills. We work as a team, so as long as you know your strengths and weaknesses, we can plan together to bring out the best in each other.
If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!
Please submit the following as a single PDF:
- Cover letter outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience
- Résumé
Compensation: $43 – $50 per hour, based on experience, education and other applicable factors. Benefits package available, Bird Creatives covers 75% of the cost of coverage.
Deadline to apply: Tuesday, April 7, 2026. 4 pm MT
Send your application to info@birdcreatives.com with the subject line: I’m your next Director, Events and Strategic Initiatives South.
