Exhibition Director

Looking for an exceptional Exhibition Director who would manage, organize and lead a team of internal and external operational resources for a large-scale project to be delivered in GCC.

This position requires that the ED possess flawless reporting and presentation abilities, as they will often be required to present to the highest-ranking officials within the government representatives and the client. As a uniquely fast-paced role, the selected candidate must be prepared to work in alignment with the demands of the event.

Key Responsibilities

• You will be expected to embrace and foster the team culture, ensuring that all team members feel content, inspired, and appreciated.

• Become an ambassador of the projects, fostering key relationships with clients, industry bodies, business leaders and suppliers.

• Develop a strong & dynamic partnership with the Commercial Director, managing him/her to ensure team & sales agents are focused, motivated and ably positioned to deliver on agreed goals.

• Successfully manage internal stakeholder relationships

• Establish a successful and trusted leadership partnership with the SVP, in partnership you will work on strategy, financial (budget & QF processes) and exploiting global opportunities for the growth of the events brand.

• Develop and implement rolling strategic plan for events.

• Position and maintain the show as the definitive event in its market, strengthening market share and brand identity.

• Create, manage and deliver an annual budget and quarterly forecast

• Define focus and profile of event in line with needs of the industry and user communities.

• The ED will be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the industry, including the competitive landscape.

• Creating an environment in which people can be motivated, valued and successful.

• Development of staff within the portfolio, including regular appraisals in line with company guidelines.

Qualifications and Knowledge:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience leading exhibitions, preferably in B2B sector

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

• Previous Exhibition Director experience

• Strategic thinker and strategic planning experience

• Strong business acumen, experience of reporting, budgeting and forecasting

• Excellent interpersonal and communication and presenting skills

• Strong networker – able to form and capitalise on key industry relationships and build long-term relationships with customers / natural collaborator

• Ability to absorb current affairs and the political dynamics affecting this sector as well as trend, industry and design directions. Be able to embrace and respond to key industry dynamics through event strategies and tactics to ensure they stay ahead of their markets and competition

• Creative and intuitive – taking market intelligence and applying to show content to create unique/ challenging visitor experiences and or developing intelligent multi-platform brand extensions nationally or internationally.

• Understand the business and information needs to the key customer communities and provide commercially successful solutions to address these.

• Highly collaborative

• Thrives on constant change.

• Middle East experience (desirable)

• Relevant sector experience (desirable)