August 2026
In 2026, 100 runners joined the inaugural Blossom Run, with an additional 540 on our waitlist. In 2027, we’re growing the Blossom Run to welcome up to 1,000 participants. In anticipation of our expansion, we’re looking for an experienced Run Coordinator to join the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (VCBF) team.
The Blossom Run is a relaxed, social ~8KM walk/run along the Vancouver seawall, co-hosted with The Right Shoe. Runners, joggers, and walkers of all levels move together under a canopy of blooms. The Run is created to be an accessible and fun event that invites Vancouverites to celebrate the arrival of spring.
The Run Coordinator will work closely with the VCBF Operations Director and Executive Director, as well as the Blossom Run organizing committee, with occasional planning meetings from September to December, to more regular meetings from mid-January to mid-April. The Run Coordinator will be responsible for everything runners will experience along the course, alongside pre-event logistics, including: managing city permits, coordinating volunteer roles, streamlining registration processes, managing course prep, and more, ensuring run success with the support of the VCBF team.
About VCBF
The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is the city’s signature springtime event and the annual celebration of cherry blossoms inspired by the age-old Japanese cultural tradition of hanami (flower viewing). Our mantra, “there is no stranger under the cherry tree,” welcomes inclusion, participation and celebration of all community groups. Through our community-building events, we want to make the arts accessible and representative of all people across all backgrounds. For the few weeks the cherry blossoms are in bloom, we strive to be united as one community where our shared connection to nature means we are all connected.
Required Skills
- Excellent organizational and project management skills.
- Strong leadership and team coordination abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills under pressure.
- Attention to detail and commitment to delivering a high-quality event experience.
- Ability to coordinate multiple vendors, partners, and stakeholders.
- Knowledge of event safety and risk management principles.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with committees and volunteers.
- Competence with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace and event registration software.
Experience & Qualifications
- Experience coordinating community events, sporting events, or fundraising events.
- Experience managing volunteers and assigning operational responsibilities.
- Demonstrated ability to oversee event logistics from planning through execution.
- Experience working with sponsors, vendors, municipalities, or community organizations is an asset.
- Knowledge of race/event operations, including participant flow, registration, and course management, is an asset.
- Experience developing event timelines, operational plans, and contingency plans.
- First Aid and CPR certification is considered an asset.
- Experience with budgeting and expense tracking is an asset.
- Valid driver’s licence and access to transportation may be required.
Responsibilities
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee operational aspects of the run, ensuring the event is delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with the event timeline and budget.
- Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise volunteers, providing leadership and support before and throughout the event, in collaboration with Volunteer Coordinator.
- Coordinate event-day logistics, including participant registration and check-in, course signage, start/finish areas, and post-run activities.
- Develop and implement event safety, emergency response, and contingency plans, in collaboration with VCBF Operations Director.
- Liaise with vendors, sponsors, municipal officials, venue staff, and community partners to ensure all operational requirements are met, in collaboration with Blossom Run organizing committee
- Oversee event setup, equipment and supply distribution, and site teardown, ensuring facilities and resources are in place and managed effectively, in collaboration with VCBF Operations Director.
- Monitor event operations on race day, proactively resolving issues and ensuring a positive, safe, and well-organized experience for participants, volunteers, and spectators.
Compensation – $2500 honorarium
How to Apply
Please send your resume to Andrea Arnot ([email protected]) along with a cover email describing your experience and motivations for applying to the role of Blossom Run Coordinator.