Duty Manager

Company Overview

Harbourfront Centre is a leading cultural institution in Toronto, celebrated for its vibrant arts, culture, community and recreational programs. As a not-for-profit organization, we are committed to enriching the lives of diverse communities through creativity, innovation, connection and excellence. A multi-faceted campus, Harbourfront Centre includes programming across arts, culture, recreation and learning, as well as commercial businesses that generate essential revenue to support operations.

Job Description

We are currently seeking a dynamic, collaborative, experienced and polished Duty Manager to play a vital leadership role in the successful, safe, and seamless execution of all campus activities and events at Harbourfront Centre.

 

Position Title: Duty Manager

Department: People & Culture

Reporting To: Senior Manager, Safety, Security & Emergency Management

Type of Employment: Full-time

Work Schedule: Primarily Thursday to Sunday

Compensation: Annual salary of $65,000 – $85,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package

Number of Vacancies: 1

Work Location: On-site based at our lakeside campus in downtown Toronto

 

Position Overview

Acting as the senior-most point of contact while on campus, the Duty Manager oversees daily campus operations, manages escalation of incidents/emergencies, and ensures overall site readiness and guest experience across our vibrant and dynamic public programming, including concerts, markets, cultural activities, exhibitions, and educational offerings.

This role requires a visible, proactive presence on campus during operational hours, primarily from Thursday to Sunday, when campus activations are live, with flexibility when the campus is not active. Close collaboration and partnering with key departments such as Arts, Culture and Learning, Event Operations & Guest Experience, Strategic Partnerships, Grounds and Facilities is critical. The Duty Manager is instrumental in upholding the safety, aesthetic, and functional standards of the campus to deliver optimal guest experience.

 

Responsibilities

* Campus Operations & Oversight

• Serve as the on-site lead and primary escalation point for all operational matters while on duty.
• Act as the centralized point of communication during events for issues related to weather, safety, security, medical, or employee-related incidents.
• Provide real-time decision-making support in alignment with organizational priorities, risk management, vendor relations and public safety.
• Serve as the Emergency Operations Centre Commander, overseeing all aspects of emergency response, assessing resource needs and coordinating the request for additional support, equipment, materials or assistance as required.

* Safety, Security & Incident Management

• Liaise with internal security teams and/or external emergency services as needed during emergencies or incidents.
• Maintain situational awareness and respond to dynamic conditions such as severe weather or crowd management issues.
• Document and report incidents, ensuring appropriate follow-up with stakeholders.
• Coordinate early activation of Incident Response Plans when certain thresholds are forecasted (e.g. heat warnings, severe rain, protests).

* Operational Readiness

• Conduct routine campus walkthroughs to ensure site is clean, safe, accessible, and visually aligned with brand and presentation standards.
• Identify and resolve or escalate any hazards, damage, or maintenance concerns in coordination with facilities or vendors.
• Confirm that event setups are complete and aligned with safety requirements, operational plans and guest experience goals.
• Use and maintain a comprehensive site readiness checklist to ensure all elements, signage, cleanliness, accessibility, setup, and safety, are consistently reviewed and addressed before doors open and throughout event hours.
• Maintain a weekly event log covering incidents, inspections, and key decisions.

* Guest & Stakeholder Experience

• Serve as a senior ambassador and problem-solver for guests, artists, partners, and visiting dignitaries.
• Uphold a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all.

* Team Collaboration & Communication

• Work cross-functionally with Arts, Culture and Learning, Event Operations, Guest Experience, Strategic Partnerships, Grounds and Facilities teams to support smooth event delivery.
• Provide in-the-moment leadership, coaching, or redirection to front-line staff or volunteers, ensuring consistency in service and operations.
• Participate in pre-event briefings and post-event debriefs to contribute to continuous improvement.
• Attend weekly readiness meetings and provide feedback on planned layouts, capacities, and weather contingency plans.
• Liaise with on-site and external partners to coordinate event operations requirements, including load-in and load-out schedules or event-related operational plans.
• In coordination with senior leadership, provide on-site support for VIP visitors and escalate media relations to the Communications manager.

 

Requirements 

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in operations, security, events, cultural institutions, or hospitality settings; supervisory experience required.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Experience managing safety, security, and emergency protocols in high-traffic public environments.
• Strong organizational skills and an eye for presentation, detail, and guest experience.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by event schedules.Ability to walk, stand, and be physically active across a large campus for extended periods.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and solving problems in real-time.
• A collaborative spirit and strong emotional intelligence.
• Crowd safety/risk management training
• WHMIS, First Aid/CPR-C, and AED certification
• IMS 100/200-level certification or equivalent emergency command training (desirable)
• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada on a full-time, ongoing basis.
• This role is site-based at our lakeside campus in downtown Toronto.

 

Working Conditions

• On-site, outdoors and indoors, in varying weather conditions.
• Non-standard working hours (primarily Thurs-Sun + some holidays/special events).
• Flexibility when site is quiet and not activated to enable work/life balance
• May require lifting, standing, walking for extended periods.

Our Values

At Harbourfront Centre, our values—Open, Brave, Rigorous, and Kind—reflect our commitment to inclusivity, imaginative risk-taking, excellence, and respect, ensuring enriching experiences for all.

 How To Apply

Harbourfront Centre is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. We encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Acceptable applications must include a current resume and a cover letter indicating why you wish to join the team and how you would meet the criteria for this position.

We invite qualified applicants to submit their candidacy to jobs@harbourfrontcentre.com by no later than June 16, 2026. Please quote Duty Manager in the subject line of your application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, as such early submission is encouraged. 

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted. Suitable accommodations will be available upon request during the hiring process. Please know that our recruitment process does not involve the use of Artificial Intelligence tools; the review of received applications and hiring decisions are made by a team of people.