Shipyards Christmas Market | North Vancouver, BC

Position Type: Full-Time, Seasonal Contract with Potential for Permanent Employment

Employment Period: Immediate Start – Mid-January 2027

Location: North Vancouver, BC (In office)

Job Summary The Shipyards Christmas Market is seeking an experienced, energetic, and highly organized Event Operations & Project Manager to join our team for the 2026 Christmas market season.

We are looking for a hands-on leader and problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment, takes initiative, and knows how to get things done.

This is not a traditional office-based management position. We need someone who is comfortable being on the ground, directing teams, overseeing daily operations, coordinating logistics, and responding to the unexpected challenges that come with operating a large-scale public event.

Working closely with the market owners and senior management, you will play a key role in ensuring the successful preparation, operation, and conclusion of the Shipyards Christmas Market.

This position begins as a seasonal contract ending in mid-January 2027, with the potential to transition into a permanent, full-time, year-round role. For the right individual who demonstrates strong leadership, initiative, reliability, and measurable value to our organization, there may be an opportunity to continue employment beyond the Christmas season.

A permanent position would involve year-round planning, project management, vendor coordination, logistics, and preparations for future Christmas markets.

Key Responsibilities1. Event Operations & On-Site Management

- Oversee daily market operations, ensuring the event runs efficiently, safely, and professionally.
- Maintain a highly visible, hands-on presence throughout the market.
- Coordinate daily opening and closing procedures.
- Identify operational issues and take immediate action to resolve them.
- Oversee site logistics, equipment, supplies, and operational requirements.
- Coordinate with vendors, contractors, security, maintenance teams, and other on-site personnel.
- Assist with market setup, daily operations, and post-event breakdown.
- Ensure tasks are completed on time and operational standards are maintained.

1. Project Management & Logistics

- Work closely with the market owners to execute operational plans and priorities.
- Manage multiple projects, tasks, and deadlines simultaneously.
- Coordinate contractors, deliveries, equipment, and site requirements.
- Track outstanding tasks and follow through to completion.
- Anticipate potential challenges and develop practical solutions.




- Take ownership of assigned projects from start to finish.
- Assist with inventory management, purchasing, and other logistical requirements.

1. Staff Leadership & Coordination

- Direct and supervise seasonal staff, ensuring everyone understands their responsibilities.
- Provide clear instructions, guidance, and daily direction to team members.
- Monitor staff performance, productivity, and attendance.
- Ensure adequate staffing coverage and adjust schedules when operational needs change.
- Oversee employee hours and time sheet accuracy, ensuring payroll information is submitted correctly and employees are paid on time.
- Address day-to-day staffing concerns and operational issues.
- Maintain a positive, accountable, and productive work environment.

Please note: While staff supervision, scheduling, and payroll coordination are part of this role, this is not an HR-focused position. Recruitment, extensive employee on-boarding, and employment law administration are not primary responsibilities.

1. Communication & Problem-Solving

- Serve as a key operational contact for staff, vendors, contractors, and management.
- Communicate clearly and professionally in high-pressure situations.
- Respond quickly to unexpected challenges and changing priorities.
- Make practical, sound decisions while knowing when to escalate matters to senior management.
- Ensure operational information and instructions are communicated effectively across teams.

Qualifications & Experience We are looking for candidates with practical operations and leadership experience, preferably in one or more of the following areas:

- Event operations or event management
- Project management
- Festival or large-scale public event operations
- Hospitality or venue management
- Site operations or logistics management
- Supervisory or management roles in fast-paced environments

The ideal candidate will have:

- Demonstrated experience managing people, projects, and daily operations.
- Solid organizational and time-management skills.
- The ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines.
- Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
- A proactive approach to problem-solving.
- The confidence to make decisions and take responsibility.
- A willingness to roll up their sleeves and assist wherever needed.




- Strong attention to detail and the ability to follow through.
- Comfort working outdoors during the winter season.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours during the market.

Experience with staff scheduling, payroll coordination, and vendor management is an asset. FOODSAFE Level 1, Serving It Right, or First Aid certification is considered an asset but is not required.

What We're Looking For

We are not looking for someone who simply delegates tasks or manages operations from behind a desk.

We want someone who sees a problem and takes action, who can lead a team confidently, and who understands that successful events require flexibility, teamwork, and a willingness to jump in wherever needed.

The right candidate will be resourceful, dependable, organized, and comfortable taking ownership of responsibilities without constant supervision.

Most importantly, we want someone who genuinely enjoys the excitement and challenges of running a busy, high-profile public event.

Opportunity for Permanent Employment

While this position is initially seasonal, we are also looking for someone who could potentially grow with our organization.

For an exceptional candidate who proves to be a robust fit and demonstrates meaningful value to our team, we may offer permanent, full-time employment following the conclusion of the Christmas market season.

This would be a year-round position focused on planning, organizing, and managing preparations for the following year's Christmas markets, including operational development, logistics, vendor coordination, and project execution.

This opportunity is performance-based and is not a guaranteed extension of the seasonal contract.

About the Shipyards Christmas Market The Shipyards Christmas Market is one of British Columbia's largest outdoor Christmas markets, welcoming approximately 500,000 visitors in 2025.

Located on North Vancouver's waterfront, our free-admission European-inspired Christmas market features traditional wooden huts, artisan vendors, festive food and beverages, entertainment, and memorable holiday experiences.

Our team works hard to create a magical Christmas experience for visitors, and we're looking for an enthusiastic operations professional to help bring it all together.

If you are a hands-on event or operations manager who thrives in a busy environment, takes pride in making things happen, and is interested in the potential for a long-term career with our organization, we would love to hear from you!

Pay: $4,000.00-$5,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person

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