Director of Athlete Experience, Sport & Venues - 2029 Canada Games

About the Role

The 2029 Canada Games, hosted in Moncton and Saint John, New Brunswick, will bring together thousands of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and visitors nationally to celebrate sport, culture, and community, creating a significant legacy for both the region and Canada. The Director of Athlete Experience, Sport & Venues is a critical leadership position reporting to the CEO and acting as a member of the Executive Leadership Team. This role provides strategic direction and operational oversight for all aspects related to athlete services, sport competitions, and venue operations across the two host cities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the comprehensive planning and management of the Canada Games Villages, ensuring athlete accommodations, dining, wellness, and support services meet Canada Games standards.
• Manage athlete-centered services including accommodation, dining, lounges, medical care, equipment logistics, and laundry, creating a safe, welcoming, and accessible environment for all accredited participants.
• Oversee the planning and execution of all sport competitions and training environments, collaborating with National and Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations and the Canada Games Council to develop sport-specific operational strategies.
• Ensure competition and training venues comply with sport and Canada Games standards, coordinate readiness activities, test events, and contribute to competition scheduling and technical support.
• Direct all operations of competition and non-competition venues, working with municipal partners, facility operators, and internal teams to establish venue operating plans, oversee infrastructure and logistics, and ensure safety, accessibility, and operational effectiveness.
• Manage venue readiness reviews, inspections, and test events; maintain partnerships with venue owners, municipalities, and operators; coordinate integration with other operational areas including transportation, security, medical services, technology, and volunteers.
• Lead venue transition and decommissioning after the Games, and contribute to legacy planning and post-event venue utilization.
• Recruit, mentor, and supervise staff, contractors, and volunteers within the portfolio, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and excellence.
• Collaborate closely with other functional areas such as transportation, volunteer services, medical services, technology, ceremonies, and marketing to ensure integrated and seamless Games operations.
• Develop and control operational budgets within the portfolio, monitor expenditures, oversee contracts and service agreements, identify risks and implement mitigation measures, and ensure compliance with all standards and policies.
• Support the development of lasting legacies in sport, volunteerism, infrastructure, and community impact, promoting sustainability, accessibility, official languages, diversity, equity, inclusion, and Indigenous engagement across the Games.

Additional Information

The expected start date is in Fall 2026 (or as determined), with the contract concluding in Fall 2029. The location for this role is in Moncton and Saint John, New Brunswick. The role requires on-site presence and active leadership through the full planning and delivery phases of the Games.