Senior Project Lead

The Senior Project Lead is responsible for and overlooks the overall lead and delivery of all aspects of the project, coordinating the various workstreams to ensure that project planning and milestones, tasks and deliverables and quality assurance are always on track.

The Job

• Provide visionary leadership, setting the project's strategic direction and setting KPIs in conjunction with the client’s expectations, and ensuring alignment with the company's goals and client's vision.

• Oversee all aspects of project planning, execution, monitoring, and closing, ensuring milestones are achieved on time and within budget, managing clients’ expectations and ensuring that KPIs are met.

• Lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team of professionals, including event planners, designers, technicians, and support staff.

• Act as the primary point of contact for the client, fostering strong relationships, understanding their needs, and managing expectations throughout the project lifecycle.

• Manage project finances, including budget creation, allocation, and tracking to ensure optimal resource utilization, continuous tracking and cost control.

• Source, negotiate with, and manage vendors, ensuring the selection of top-quality suppliers and service providers that align with the project's objectives.

• Lead the specification of SOW for suppliers related to operations and logistics, review vendors' proposals and project deliverables to ensure delivery according to best industry practice, and in compliance with approved proposals, and supervise the delivery of vendors’ services upon both internal management’s and client’s approval.

• Identify potential risks and develop proactive mitigation strategies, adapting plans as needed to address unforeseen challenges and changes.

• Uphold the highest standards of event execution, overseeing design, logistics, production, and all related elements to guarantee a seamless and memorable experience for attendees.

• Manage project documentation in alignment with orientations.events digital workflow.

• Prepares regular status updates, performance metrics and detailed reporting internally and towards clients and stakeholders to inform them of the progress and to ensure the project’s overall direction is on track.

• Oversee and enforce Workplace Safety and Health regulations, manage risk assessment and mitigation in conjunction with the appointed H&S Officer onsite, as well as sustainability aspects of the project.

• Manage project closing reports and budget reconciliations at the end of the project

Skills and Knowledge

• Minimum of 8-10 years' experience in event management, working with event agencies, exhibition organizers, venues and/or project owners / clients with at least 3 years in a comparable leadership role.

• Demonstrated success in planning and delivering large-scale, high-profile events including conferences and exhibitions.

• Proficient in project management methodologies, tools, and techniques with a strong background in project planning using digital project management tools.

• Exceptional team management and leadership skills as well as excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify, address issues and risks, mobilize resources and make acute decisions and/or recommendations.

• Structured, organized and self-motivated work mentality with a result-oriented mindset and attention to detail

• Strong vendor management and negotiation expertise as well as a proven track record of managing project budgets effectively.

• Creative problem-solving skills in high-pressure environments.

• Ability and commitment to work with and contribute to agile digital workflows

• Strong communication skills and fluent English language capabilities and ability to work in

  fast-moving teams. Arabic language capabilities are beneficial.

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus.