Manager, Events

Indigo is a physical and digital place inspired by and filled with books, ideas, beautifully designed lifestyle products, and the creative people who help make it all happen. We believe in real books, living life fully and generously, being kind to each other and to the environment, and that stories — big and little — connect us. Indigo is our customer's happy place — for joyful moments of discovery and to connect with people who share their passion for reading, their belief in ideas, and their commitment to making the world a better and more beautiful place. 

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES 

Our Mission is to inspire reading and enrich the lives of booklovers. As such, we believe in the power of people and their stories. We aim to attract top talent, nurture the potential of our employees, and create space for everyone to thrive. Our Guiding Principles are the few key ideas that are meant to influence everything we do, every day. 

• We Will Hire, Inspire, Promote and Retain the Best
• We Will Be Customer Centric
• We Will Be Entrepreneurial
• We Will Be Committed to Caring About Each Other, Our Communities, and Our Environment
• We Will Be Committed to True and Shared Value Creation
• We Will Be Systems Thinking, Data Driven and AI enabled 

The Manager, Events leads the day-to-day execution of Indigo’s events program, translating strategic vision into disciplined operational plans managing 2-3 event coordinators and delivering events that are on time, on brand, and on budget.

This role owns end-to-end event production — from national author signings and high-profile celebrity events to the annual programming calendar. The Manager is the connective tissue between strategy and execution: ensuring the coordinator team has clear direction and the tools to succeed, while serving as the primary operational contact for authors, publishers, and cross-functional partners.

KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS

• Event Sales & Profit
• Event Customers
• On time execution
• Author, Publisher & Key Stakeholder Satisfaction
• Employee Engagement

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Functional

• Translate strategic direction into clear execution frameworks, project plans, and delivery timelines across all events — author signings, major events, and national programming
• Lead the concept and development of all nationally-driven event programming, including cross-functional campaigns
• Own internal project planning and execution: manage cross-functional workflows, delivery standards, and operational SLAs across the Coordinator team
• Own budget tracking, forecasting, and financial coordination for the events portfolio; contribute to post-event reporting, insights, and retrospectives
• Act as the escalation point for operational risks — identifying, mitigating, and surfacing issues to the Senior Manager where required.
• Lead and chair the Bi-Weekly Events Planning meeting, driving alignment across the coordinator team and cross-functional partners on upcoming events, priorities, and risks.
• Introduce and lead the Store-Events Monthly Meeting, building a direct feedback loop between the events team and store leaders on execution quality and support needs.
• Serve as the primary operational contact for Retail Ops, Loss Prevention, Finance & Accounting, General Managers, Store Events Leaders, Creative, Marketing, and Merchants.
• Ensure execution standards are consistently upheld across all event types, channels, and touchpoints — from planning documentation through to on-site delivery.
• Identify process gaps and lead improvements to increase operational efficiency and enhance experience for customers, stores, and partners.
• Train and support stores on the execution of all author signing events

Communication

• Contribute to post-event reporting and retrospectives; surface insights and recommendations to the Senior Manager to inform future planning and investment decisions.
• Proactively communicate timelines, risks, and deliverable status to cross-functional execution partners, ensuring no surprises on delivery.
• Champion the customer and store experience in all planning and decision-making, consistently advocating for clarity, quality, and consistency of execution.

People

• Develop a high performing & engaged team
• Provide feedback and coaching to develop direct reports and mentees
• Shape and influence team culture to reflect Indigo’s values and direction
• Empower team members through clear expectations, performance management, and growth opportunities
• Attract, develop, and retain top talent
• Act as a mentor & role model, helping others understand the broader impact of their work
• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across teams and functions
• Ensure team alignment with organizational goals and cultural values

Cultural

• Model Indigo’s Guiding Principles and convey a positive, forward-thinking image
• Embrace and influence change, fostering a culture resonant of our guiding principles and in particular emphasizing data driven, systems thinking, and customer centric.
• Celebrate diversity of thought and encourage open dialogue
• Take an active role in shaping organizational culture through leadership and example

SCOPE

Reports to: Sr Manager, Events

Manager once Removed (MOR): VP, Customer Experience & eCommerce

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal:

• Retail Operations
• General Managers & Store Events Leaders
• Creative Studio
• Marketing
• Merchants
• Loss Prevention
• Finance/Accounting

External:

• Publishers
• Vendors
• External agencies
• Venues

Work Experience / Education / Certifications

• 5–7 years of experience in Events, Marketing, Retail, or a related field; experience managing direct reports preferred.
• Post-secondary degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related discipline; equivalent experience considered.
• Proven track record planning and executing multi-channel, large-scale events from concept through post-event analysis.
• Experience in retail, media, publishing, or hospitality considered a strong asset)

Competencies / Skills / Attributes

• Strong operational leader with the ability to translate strategy into execution and manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; confident presenting to stakeholders and executives.
• Skilled relationship builder with authors, publishers, vendors, and internal partners at all levels.
• Analytical thinker with the ability to interpret event data and surface actionable insights.
• Creative sensibility for on-brand event concepts and marketing materials, with strong copywriting instincts.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); comfort with social media platforms and event management tools.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills; thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Results-driven, self-motivated, and solutions-oriented — with a bias for action and a hands-on approach.
• Genuine belief in the power of teamwork and a deep understanding of how individual actions affect team and organizational outcomes.
• Customer-obsessed with a commitment to delivering exceptional brand experiences

Other (travel, Bilingual, etc.)

• Flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays

This posting is for a current opportunity within Indigo.

Indigo uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with certain aspects of the hiring process, such as screening and assessments. These tools support our team but do not replace human judgment. We are committed to using AI responsibly, fairly, and in compliance with applicable employment and anti-discrimination laws. We regularly review these tools to help prevent bias or discrimination.

At Indigo, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility are core to our values. We integrate these principles into our training, policies, and hiring practices and continuously evolve to reflect the needs of the communities we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and lived experiences, including but not limited to individuals who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour), members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and persons with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].