Event Manager.

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking an experienced Event Manager to join its internal events team and take ownership of a growing programme of events across the Middle East.

Operating as an embedded member of the organisation, the successful candidate will manage event planning, budgets, suppliers, stakeholder relationships, exhibition stands and on-site logistics. This is a hands-on client-side position requiring someone who can provide structure, maintain oversight across multiple projects and deliver consistently within a fast-moving international environment.

The current programme consists of approximately 12 events across the region, several of which include a physical exhibition or brand presence.

Key Responsibilities

Event Programme Management

• Take day-to-day ownership of the regional events calendar.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, budgets and delivery timelines.
• Coordinate multiple events simultaneously across different markets and locations.
• Establish clear priorities, milestones, responsibilities and approval requirements.
• Track progress against agreed plans and provide regular updates to internal stakeholders.
• Identify dependencies, risks and potential delays at an early stage.
• Ensure each event supports the organisation’s wider commercial and marketing objectives.
• Maintain accurate event documentation and project records.
• Conduct post-event reviews and incorporate lessons into future planning.

Budget Management

• Prepare, monitor and reconcile individual event budgets.
• Track expenditure, commitments and projected costs throughout the planning cycle.
• Ensure expenditure remains within approved budgets and follows the appropriate authorisation process.
• Review supplier quotations and support commercial negotiations.
• Identify potential cost pressures and recommend practical solutions.
• Maintain accurate financial records for reporting and reconciliation.
• Manage changes in scope and ensure additional expenditure is approved before commitment.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the central point of coordination for regional event activity.
• Build effective working relationships with internal teams, senior stakeholders and subject-matter experts.
• Gather and manage event requirements from multiple departments.
• Translate business requirements into clear event briefs and delivery plans.
• Coordinate stakeholder meetings, planning calls and project updates.
• Ensure decisions, actions and responsibilities are clearly recorded and communicated.
• Manage competing priorities while maintaining a consistent and professional service.
• Escalate significant risks, delays or budget concerns appropriately.

Sponsorship and Organiser Liaison

• Manage relationships with event organisers, venues and sponsorship contacts.
• Coordinate sponsorship entitlements, deadlines and contracted deliverables.
• Ensure all required information, branding and documentation are submitted on time.
• Review event manuals, organiser schedules and participation requirements.
• Coordinate passes, registrations, speaker requirements and other event-related arrangements.
• Monitor organiser communications and share relevant information with internal stakeholders.
• Act as the primary contact for day-to-day event and sponsorship matters.

Exhibition Stand and Booth Coordination

• Coordinate the planning and delivery of exhibition stands and branded event spaces.
• Act as the liaison between internal stakeholders, stand contractors, organisers and venues.
• Develop clear briefs covering design, functionality, branding, technology and operational requirements.
• Monitor design development, approvals, production schedules and delivery milestones.
• Ensure stand requirements comply with organiser, venue and health and safety regulations.
• Coordinate utilities, furniture, graphics, technical equipment and supporting services.
• Oversee build-up, final inspections, live-event requirements and breakdown.
• Ensure any defects or delivery issues are resolved quickly and professionally.

Logistics and On-Site Delivery

• Develop and manage detailed logistics plans for each event.
• Coordinate travel-related event requirements for employees, executives, VIPs and stand personnel.
• Manage schedules, passes, access, briefing times and on-site responsibilities.
• Prepare pre-event briefing documents, including practical “know before you go” information.
• Coordinate event-day schedules and ensure all participants understand their responsibilities.
• Maintain a visible and proactive presence during event delivery.
• Resolve operational issues calmly and efficiently.
• Ensure equipment, materials and event assets arrive at the correct location on time.
• Coordinate post-event pack-down, returns and reconciliation.

Demonstrations and Inventory

• Coordinate product demonstrations and other interactive event requirements.
• Work with subject-matter experts to confirm equipment, technical and staffing needs.
• Maintain accurate records of demonstration equipment and organisation-owned event stock.
• Coordinate the movement, storage and return of equipment and materials.
• Ensure demonstration schedules align with wider event and stakeholder activity.
• Identify technical, transport or operational risks and address them before delivery.

Reporting and Communication

• Produce clear and regular programme updates for regional and global stakeholders.
• Maintain trackers covering budgets, deadlines, actions, risks and delivery status.
• Prepare event briefing documents, schedules and stakeholder communications.
• Ensure project information remains current and accessible.
• Communicate changes in scope, schedule or requirements promptly.
• Provide concise post-event reports covering performance, feedback and recommended improvements.
• Maintain effective communication across different countries and time zones.

Risk and Change Management

• Maintain an active risk register across the regional event programme.
• Identify operational, financial, logistical and reputational risks.
• Develop contingency plans for important event activities.
• Escalate significant risks and issues through the appropriate channels.
• Document changes to scope, timelines or budgets.
• Ensure variations are reviewed and authorised before implementation.
• Support compliance with venue requirements, local regulations and internal policies.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality when handling business and event information.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be an experienced Event Manager who has worked in a client-side, agency or embedded environment and is comfortable taking full ownership of a multi-event programme.

They will be highly organised, commercially aware and capable of managing multiple stakeholders, suppliers and deadlines without losing attention to detail. The individual must be confident working independently while integrating closely with an international internal team.

This role would particularly suit someone who combines strong planning and administration with practical on-site delivery experience.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience managing corporate events, exhibitions, conferences or brand activations.
• Proven responsibility for the end-to-end delivery of multiple events.
• Experience managing event budgets, forecasts and financial reconciliation.
• Strong supplier, organiser and venue-management experience.
• Experience coordinating exhibition stands or branded event environments.
• Proven ability to manage internal stakeholders and subject-matter experts.
• Experience producing detailed project plans, event schedules and briefing documents.
• Strong on-site logistics and live-event delivery experience.
• Ability to manage several projects across different locations simultaneously.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and commonly used project-management platforms.
• Availability to work flexibly across the working week.
• Willingness to travel throughout the Middle East when required.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience working within an internal or client-side events team.
• Experience delivering events across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
• Familiarity with major regional exhibition venues and organisers.
• Experience working with international or global stakeholders.
• Exposure to technical demonstrations, equipment logistics or complex exhibition stands.
• Experience managing senior executives, VIPs or government stakeholders.
• Existing UAE residency and appropriate work authorisation would be advantageous.

Key Competencies

• Event programme management
• Budget ownership
• Stakeholder coordination
• Exhibition stand delivery
• Supplier and organiser management
• Regional logistics
• Project planning and scheduling
• Risk and change management
• Reporting and documentation
• Commercial awareness
• Problem-solving
• Attention to detail
• Calmness under pressure
• Independence and accountability
• Cross-cultural communication

Working Arrangement

This is a part-time position requiring approximately three working days per week. The hours will be distributed flexibly across the working week according to project demands, stakeholder availability and live-event schedules.

The successful candidate may be required to work additional or irregular hours during event build-up and delivery periods. Any material changes to the agreed time commitment will be reviewed and authorised in advance.

The role will operate as an embedded member of the internal event team, with access to the systems, documentation and communication channels required to perform the position effectively.

What the Role Offers

• Ownership of a varied regional programme of corporate events and exhibitions.
• A client-side position with direct access to internal decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Flexible part-time working across approximately three days per week.
• Exposure to events across several Middle Eastern markets.
• The opportunity to become an integral member of a growing international team.
• Potential for the initial contract to be extended.