Senior Manager, Conference and Events – Ontario Dental Association (ODA)Join to apply for the Senior Manager, Conference and Events role at Ontario Dental Association (ODA).OpportunityThe Ontario Dental Association (ODA) is seeking an experienced and innovative Senior Manager, Conference & Events to implement and help lead one of Canada’s largest health professional conference portfolios, including the Annual Spring Meeting (ASM) — Canada’s premier dental conference. With over 12,000 attendees and hundreds of exhibitors, the ASM is both a flagship member benefit and a vital revenue generator for the ODA.Who We AreThe Ontario Dental Association represents over 90% of the dentists in Ontario.Promote the highest standards of dental care.Work with governments, the private sector, and other health‑care professionals.Advocate on public policies that affect the practice of dentistry and the oral health of people in Ontario.Provide trusted lifelong learning and professional development for members and their teams.Raise public awareness of how important oral hygiene is and its connection to overall health.Provide our member‑dentists with programs, services, and products to support their role as leaders of the oral health care team.What You Will DoAs Senior Manager, Conference & Events, you are responsible for working with a team to ensure the successful delivery and ongoing development of ODA’s event portfolio in the following six areas.Conference & Event Leadership and ExecutionPlanning, development, and execution of the ASM and other ODA events.Work with a team to execute efficiently and effectively in all event areas including program development, logistics, production, registration, speaker management, sponsorships, exhibits, marketing, food and beverage, and vendor relationships.Ensure flawless delivery of high‑profile conferences that uphold ODA’s reputation and member trust.Manage multi‑million‑dollar event budgets in alignment with approved strategies and oversight frameworks; ensure financial accountability, transparency, and value delivery.Negotiate contracts with venues, suppliers, and vendors; identify, assess, and mitigate event‑related risks.Establish clear operating plans, timelines,



and playbooks; lead cross‑functional readiness reviews.Coach, manage, and work alongside internal event professionals and temporary staff, fostering collaboration, professional development, and high performance while remaining actively engaged in hands‑on execution.Engage, advise, and inspire volunteers, committees, and advisory groups who contribute to ODA events.Sponsorship & Exhibitor RelationsBuild and maintain strong, long‑term relationships with exhibitors, sponsors, partners, and broader dental industry.Develop and implement innovative sponsorship opportunities and exhibitor experiences that deliver measurable ROI.Implement an integrated event‑tech stack (registration, mobile app, speaker management, scouting, exhibits management, contract management, analytics) and automate high‑volume workflows.Repurpose content and extend engagement year‑round (digital sessions, on‑demand CE, highlights).Partner with Education, Communications, Membership, Advocacy and Component Society Relations to ensure events amplify organizational objectives.Contribute to positioning ASM and other events as effective platforms for member engagement, education, advocacy, and visibility.What We Are Looking ForUndergraduate degree or College degree in business, event/hospitality management, communications, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.10+ years of progressive experience in large‑scale conference, trade show, and event management.5+ years demonstrated people‑management experience (hiring, work planning, coaching, performance management, and building a healthy team culture).Proven success managing multi‑million‑dollar budgets including forecasting, revenue strategies (sponsorships, exhibits, ticketing) and reporting, complex logistics, risk,



and vendor negotiations.Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with a track record of building engaged high‑performing teams.Demonstrated expertise in sponsorship and exhibitor relations.Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship‑building skills.Curiosity and creativity to explore new event models, formats, and technologies.Professional designation preferred (e.G., CMP, CMM, and/or CEM)Extensive vendor negotiation & contracting RFPs, SOWs, service‑level agreements; venue and hotel blocks; understanding of attrition/indemnity/force majeure and insurance requirements.AssetsExperience with AI applications in event management and marketing; analytics and KPI dashboards.Prior experience in associations or non‑profit settings.What Success Looks Like (First 12–18 Months)Leading a confident and seamless onboarding into the role, supporting operational continuity, process improvements, and ways of working while maintaining stability through change, with minimal disruption to the planning and execution of the ASM.Building and sustaining solid relationships with vendors, sponsors, volunteers, speakers, and internal teams, positioning yourself as a trusted and visible event leader for the profession’s flagship event.Meaningfully contributing to the 2026 conference and the delivery of a flawlessly executed 2027 conference while ensuring member and exhibitor satisfaction, operational efficiency, and revenue objectives are met.Introducing fresh, creative approaches that enhance the participant experience and keep the conference relevant and engaging for diverse audiences, including younger members within the approved strategic direction.Demonstrating comfort with technology and digital tools (including event management platforms and emerging applications such as AI) to streamline processes and improve efficiency.Working at the ODAThis is a full‑time, permanent position. In addition to a competitive salary, you will have access to a comprehensive benefits plan that includes dental, a defined‑benefit (DB) pension, and plenty of vacation days, personal days, and a health spending

📌 Senior Manager, Conference And Events (Winnipeg)
🏢 Ontario Dental Association
📍 Winnipeg