News

Job Opening: Events Coordinator

Position: Events Coordinator

Organization: SAW

Employment type
Part-time, permanent

Salary
$22.00 per hour, negotiable based on experience, plus benefits

Language requirement
Fluency in spoken and written French and English is essential

Working hours
25 hours per week

Schedule
Weekdays during the day, with some evening or weekend availability depending on the events schedule

Closing date for applications
Friday, August 8, 2025

Start date of position
Tuesday, August 19, 2025


About SAW
Founded in Ottawa in 1973, SAW is a non-profit artist-run centre dedicated to the presentation of contemporary art. Today, with its strong focus on outreach and community development, SAW boasts an annual audience of over 30,000 people. The centre’s risk-taking exhibition program presents the work of many artists who are not often considered by other Canadian art institutions. An evolving space comprised of its exhibition galleries, the Nordic Lab, Club SAW and the SAW outdoor courtyard, the centre is an ideal venue for the presentation of performance, media art and new artistic practices. Located in Canada’s National Capital region, SAW actively participates in political discourse around cultural diversity, the rights of artists and freedom of expression. SAW acknowledges and upholds the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Every year, over 1,000 artists and musicians perform at Club SAW at key moments of their careers. A flexible space accommodating an audience of 285, Club SAW is a defining feature of SAW and contributes significantly to the character of the centre as a whole. Equipped with a bar and a state-of-the-art sound system, it is used for screenings, concerts, artist talks, festival hubs, panel discussions, conferences, book launches, theatre plays, receptions and workshops. Renovated in 2019, Club SAW doubled in size and now features a bar with a focus on local products, a deployable pop-up gallery, a green room for performers, an accessible stage, all-gender washrooms and an outdoor courtyard completely renovated for the presentation of summer festivals and events.

Job profile
Reporting to the Director, the Events Coordinator is responsible for managing Club SAW rental events and coordinating logistics for SAW-organized events. This role requires close collaboration with all SAW staff to ensure smooth and effective operations.

Key responsibilities

  • Coordinate all Club SAW rentals onsite, including liaising directly with clients;
  • Respond to rental inquiries promptly, consistently and proactively; 
  • Negotiate and prepare rental contracts for events;
  • Receive payments and manage administrative tasks related to rental events, with support from the Administrator;
  • Follow up with potential renters to confirm bookings;
  • Conduct one-on-one coordination meetings with renters ahead of their events;
  • Communicate event requirements clearly to the Bar Manager and Technical Director; hold weekly check-ins and provide updates as needed;
  • Collaborate with the Bar Manager and Technical Coordinator to ensure the venue is well maintained and fully stocked;
  • Maintain organized records and files related to Club SAW rentals and operations;
  • Share updates on Club SAW activities during weekly staff meetings;
  • Work with the Communications and Outreach Coordinator to promote events aligned with SAW’s mandate on social media;
  • Collaborate with the Communications and Outreach Coordinator to maintain and update the online Club SAW events calendar;
  • Develop and implement strategies to strengthen and grow Club SAW’s rental program;
  • Attend Club SAW rental events when applicable to troubleshoot and ensure smooth operations;
  • Coordinate logistics for SAW-organized events such as exhibition openings and special events, and serve as staff lead during these events;
  • Participate in all aspects of SAW events, from planning and logistics to event set-up;
  • Manage and support volunteers during special events, ensuring they are well briefed and able to fulfill their duties, in collaboration with the Communications and Outreach Coordinator;
  • Liaise with Arts Court management and facilities staff to coordinate event-related requirements;
  • Ensure all bookings comply with the centre’s guidelines, City of Ottawa regulations and AGCO policies;
  • Occasionally open and close SAW’s exhibition spaces and welcome visitors at the reception as needed, according to a fixed schedule.

Shared responsibilities
Public relations; preparation for openings and special events; distribution of didactic materials; community outreach; archiving; general housekeeping; development of short- and long-term plans and objectives for Club SAW

Qualifications

  • Minimum of one year of comparable or equivalent experience;
  • Fluency in spoken and written French and English is required;
  • Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills;
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills;
  • Highly motivated to meet the needs of renters;
  • Enjoys engaging with and supporting the public;
  • Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and work independently;
  • Strong work ethic, with solid organizational and planning skills, and attention to detail;
  • Proven ability to multitask and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment;
  • Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and schedules;
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate closely with management and staff;
  • Ability to represent SAW as an ambassador and main point of contact during venue during rentals and events;
  • Availability to work some evenings and weekends, as required by the events calendar;
  • Flexibility to accommodate an irregular schedule when needed;
  • Knowledge of SAW and artist-run centres is considered an asset;
  • Familiarity with the local Ottawa-Gatineau community and non-profit organizations is considered an asset.

How to apply
Please send a cover letter and your résumé to info@saw-centre.com with “Events Coordinator” in the subject line by Friday, August 8, 2025.

SAW is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from equity-seeking communities, including Indigenous peoples, Black people, people of colour, persons with disabilities, and individuals who identify as LGBTQ2S+.

All applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail acknowledging receipt of their application.