Manager, Strategic Projects
Reports To: WHL Commissioner
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Position Summary
The Manager, Strategic Projects supports the Office of the Commissioner by leading and coordinating strategic initiatives that advance the priorities of the Western Hockey League. Working across League departments, member Clubs, and external stakeholders, this role is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing strategic projects that support the League's business and hockey operations.
The Manager serves as a key project leader and relationship manager, helping ensure strategic initiatives are effectively organized, communicated, and delivered. This position works closely with internal departments, WHL Clubs, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), the National Hockey League (NHL), and key business partners to facilitate collaboration, track progress, and support successful outcomes.
This role requires exceptional organizational skills, strong communication abilities, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Project Management
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Oversee the WHL’s annual and long-term business planning processes, tracking its performance and adapting/evolving strategies
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Lead and coordinate strategic projects on behalf of the Commissioner's Office from planning through implementation including contract review and contract management.
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Develop project plans, timelines, and deliverables while monitoring progress and identifying risks or issues.
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Coordinate cross-functional project teams and committees and ensuring accountability for project milestones.
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Prepare project updates, briefing materials, presentations, and recommendations for senior leadership.
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Conduct research and analysis to support organizational initiatives and decision-making.
Cross-Department Coordination
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Collaborate with departments across the League, including Hockey Operations, Business Operations, Communications, Marketing, Finance, Legal, Officiating, Player Services, and Technology.
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Facilitate communication and coordination among departments to support league-wide initiatives.
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Assist in identifying opportunities to improve collaboration and project execution across the organization.
Club & Stakeholder Relations
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Build effective working relationships with WHL Clubs and support collaboration on league initiatives.
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Coordinate projects involving Club executives and league staff.
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Work with counterparts within the CHL on initiatives involving member leagues.
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Support collaborative projects with the NHL and other hockey stakeholders as assigned.
Governance & Committee Support
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Coordinate planning and logistics for Standing Committee meetings and Board of Governors projects.
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Prepare agendas, presentations, briefing materials, meeting summaries, and action item tracking.
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Monitor progress on committee and Board initiatives and follow up with stakeholders to ensure timely completion of assigned actions.
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Lead end-to-end planning and execution for Board of Governors meetings, including venue, accommodations, meeting rooms, audio-visual requirements, food and beverage, and related functions.
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Coordinate Board of Governors communications and meeting materials, including the collection, organization, and distribution of agendas, pre-read materials, and presentations.
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Serve as the primary point of contact for Governors in relation to Board meetings, including scheduling, logistics, meeting information, and follow-up.
Partnership & League Initiatives
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Support projects involving key external partners, including broadcast, licensing, sponsorship, and hockey operations partners.
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Assist in coordinating meetings, preparing materials, and tracking deliverables for partnership initiatives.
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Help ensure partner commitments and league objectives are effectively supported through project coordination.
Executive & Administrative Support
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Prepare reports, presentations, correspondence, and briefing materials for the Commissioner and senior leadership.
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Coordinate meetings involving internal and external stakeholders.
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Maintain project documentation, status reports, and executive summaries.
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Perform other strategic project and operational support responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
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Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Sport Management, Project Management, or a related field.
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Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in project management, business operations, sports administration, consulting, or a related field.
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Experience coordinating cross-functional initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
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Experience working in professional sports or a membership-based organization is considered an asset.
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Knowledge of the hockey landscape, including the WHL, CHL, and NHL, is preferred.
Core Competencies
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Project management and organization
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Relationship building and collaboration
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Strong written and verbal communication
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Experience utilizing AI to create efficiency and speed
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Critical thinking and problem solving
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Attention to detail
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Professionalism and discretion
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Time management and prioritization
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management tools
Success Measures
Success in this role will be demonstrated by:
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Effective delivery of strategic projects on time and within scope.
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Strong coordination across League departments and external stakeholders.
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Increasing the WHL Office’s capacity in the volume and sophistication of concurrent projects
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Seamless execution of Board of Governors and Standing Committee meetings, communications, materials, logistics, and follow-up.
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Caliber of executive briefings, presentations, and project documentation.
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Positive and trusted working relationships with Clubs, CHL partners, NHL contacts, and external partners.
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Reliable execution of projects that support the Commissioner's priorities and the League's strategic objectives.
Working Relationships
This position works regularly with:
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Commissioner
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WHL Senior Leadership Team
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WHL Club Presidents, Governors, General Managers, and Club staff
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CHL and Member League offices
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NHL representatives
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WHL Standing Committees
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WHL Board of Governors (through committee and project support)
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Broadcast, licensing, and commercial partners
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Hockey operations stakeholders
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External consultants and vendors
The successful candidate must be legally eligible to work in Canada
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
