Join our team at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and grow your experience at one of the most unique sites in Calgary! The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a permanent full-time Event Sales Coordinator who will align zoo catered event products and services with prospective clients, meeting both needs and expectations. Clients are both external clients and internal business partners. They work with clients to ensure all detail for their event is accurate and precise ensuring a successful experience. They provide a liaison between zoo internal departments and the customer to ensure ‘day of’ activities are in line with customer expectations.

The Event Sales Coordinator is a clear communicator, highly organized, and is a creative problem solver. They are a motivated and hardworking team player who is process driven and who cultivates a strong attention to detail.

This is a critical role in the organization that enhances the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo’s reputation as a wildlife conservation charity through event sales. This role collaborates across multiple teams including Catering, Kitchen, Guest Relations, Development, Marketing, Communications, and Animal Care.

Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.

Our Core Values | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.

What you will do:

• Responsible for the accurate and timely completion of catering sales contracts and communication records
• Coordinate menus, décor and other logistics associated with each event in their portfolio
• Complete post event follow-up to ensure customer satisfaction and encourage repeat business
• Maintain positive ongoing customer relationships
• Increase event/catering sales revenue through proactive inside sales techniques, participation in client site tours, external client meetings and sales blitzes as required
• Develop and analyze goals and objectives for own area of responsibility
• Gather competitive intelligence and contributing to market and sales department planning, including and not limited to the management and awareness of their client base
• Participate in tradeshows, industry events, etc. as required
• Responsible for the accurate completion and communication of final details and the conveyance to Catering staff to ensure quality events

What you will bring:

• A bachelor’s degree in event management is preferred
• At least 2 years of experience in event sales, such as weddings, corporate events, etc.
• Working knowledge of several computer applications such as Microsoft Office (Word, Power Point, Excel), Caterease or related catering systems
• A flair for designing unique special events that deliver a “wow” factor
• Knowledge of developing, tracking and monitoring budgets and expenditures
• Must have excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Must have excellent organizational skills
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrate a positive, outgoing, professional and friendly demeanour
• Must possess excellent relationship building skills, is confident and experienced in dealing with corporate and wedding clientele
• Ability to relate and interact positively with many other departments

Working Conditions:

• Primarily office based
• On-grounds mobility required
• Long period of constant typing
• Occasionally moving tables, chairs etc. for special events
• Occasional evening/weekend work may be required

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.

What the Zoo Offers:

• Competitive compensation, vacation and flex days entitlement
• Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account
• Employer matching RRSP program
• Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
• Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan
• A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals

Are you ready to join one of Canada’s leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you.

Apply by doing the following:

• Watch this videoabout the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1VH1MBXm0)
• Submit your resume with a cover letter via our online application system.
• Fill in the Application questions:
  • Confirm eligibility to work in Canada.
  • If hired, when would you be available to start?
  • This position requires variable shift hours and includes weekend and holiday work. Are you able to commit to this type of flexible schedule?
  • Please briefly describe how your experience and skills would align with this position.
  • If hired, what are your salary expectations for this position?

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter online by May 5, 2026.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organization’s mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.

All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that they will be contacted once applications have been reviewed and a final decision has been made.