Downtown Experience Manager
Department: Communications & Engagement Reports To: Director, Communications & Engagement
About the Calgary Downtown Association
The Calgary Downtown Association (CDA) represents 102 blocks and more than 2,600 businesses and property owners in Calgary’s downtown core. We advocate for our members, enhance the downtown environment, and advance initiatives that create a vibrant and economically resilient city centre.
Through collaboration, communications, advocacy, and activation, the CDA works to strengthen Downtown Calgary as a place where businesses, visitors, and communities can thrive.
Position Summary
Operating within the Communications & Engagement department, the Downtown Experience Manager supports the vibrancy, perception, and overall experience of Downtown Calgary through activations, partnerships, sponsorship initiatives, and integrated communications support.
This is a senior role focused on execution, coordination, and downtown engagement initiatives. Working closely with the Director, the Downtown Experience Manager helps translate strategic priorities and partnerships into visible and impactful downtown initiatives that support economic activity, public engagement, and positive perceptions of Downtown Calgary.
The role works collaboratively across the organization to support activations, campaigns, sponsorship deliverables, festivals, citywide initiatives, and major downtown experiences while ensuring alignment with the CDA’s broader communications strategy and member needs.
Key Responsibilities
Sponsorship, Activations, & Downtown Experience
- Coordinate and execute downtown activations, sponsorship initiatives, festivals, and citywide projects.
- Oversee partner coordination and sponsorship fulfillment for CDA-supported initiatives and campaigns.
- Contribute to the development of collaborative partnership concepts, proposals, and downtown engagement opportunities.
- Assist in evaluating activation and partnership opportunities that align with the CDA’s strategic objectives and member needs.
- Maintain strong working relationships with community partners, stakeholders, and activation collaborators.
- Coordinate project work-backs, timelines, logistics support, and activation deliverables across multiple initiatives.
- Work collaboratively with the internal teams and external partners to support safe, coordinated, and effective activation delivery.
- Contribute to initiatives that enhance the experience, vibrancy, and perception of Downtown Calgary for businesses, visitors, and the broader community.
- Occasionally lead internal activations or projects as organizational needs require
Integrated Communications & Digital Content
- Develop, support, and amplify integrated digital content tied to downtown activations, sponsorships, partnerships, festivals, and citywide initiatives.
- Drive the development of engaging digital content including messaging, infographics, videos, and activation-based storytelling across CDA platforms.
- Support the planning and execution of digital campaigns and storytelling initiatives that promote Downtown Calgary, drive engagement, and strengthen perceptions of vibrancy and downtown experience.
- Facilitate and support photography, videography, and content capture opportunities tied to major initiatives, events, and public realm activations.
- Coordinate content planning and execution aligned with departmental priorities, strategic initiatives, and member engagement objectives.
- Collaborate with internal teams to support coordinated communications execution across digital platforms and public-facing channels.
Reporting & Team Collaboration
- Advance activation visibility and engagement through coordinated communications and digital storytelling efforts.
- Assist with reporting on activation outcomes, sponsorship visibility, and engagement performance.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to junior communications team members through collaboration, content support, and activation involvement.
- Contribute to a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment with multiple competing priorities.
- Support the successful execution and visibility of downtown activations and sponsorship initiatives that contribute to vibrancy, engagement, and positive perceptions of Downtown Calgary.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of relevant experience in communications, community engagement, activations, tourism, placemaking, or related fields.
- Relevant diploma or degree in Communications, Digital Media, Event Management, Urban Studies, Marketing, or related field considered an asset.
- Strong project coordination and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
- Experience supporting activations, campaigns, sponsorship initiatives, or public-facing events.
- Strong written communication and storytelling abilities across digital platforms.
- Experience coordinating or supporting digital content creation including photography, videography, and social media storytelling.
- Experience with digital platforms and communications tools including Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, TikTok, Canva, Hootsuite, Hubspot, and related systems.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively with partners, stakeholders, vendors, and internal teams.
- Interest in Downtown Calgary, city-building, public realm activation, economic vibrancy, and community engagement.
Working Environment
This role is primarily office-based in Downtown Calgary with flexibility depending on operational needs. Occasional evening or weekend attendance may be required to support activations, festivals, events, and community initiatives. Time in lieu and flexibility will be supported where appropriate.
Pay: $68,000.00-$78,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
