Head of Events EMEA - London
The Head of Events EMEA is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving strategic direction, operational excellence, and financial success of the event division. This role involves leading and developing a team of event directors and senior event managers, ensuring exceptional client delivery, and pushing the boundaries of innovation within the events industry. The role will focus on cross-functional integration, effective communication, and alignment between divisions, global resourcing, and overseeing operational functions to ensure optimal output in tandem with their North America office.
TEAM MANAGEMENT
* Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Event Directors and Senior Event Managers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
* Oversee team resourcing, workflow, and project allocation in collaboration with direct reports.
* Ensure effective management practices are consistently applied, including regular 1-on-1 meetings, performance reviews, and team development.
* Drive recruitment efforts, including participation in candidate interviews as required.
* Manage and approve team leave and time off in line with company policy.
FINANCIAL ACUMEN
* Provide financial oversight, including review of project forecasts, profitability, and cash flow.
* Manage the budgeting process and approve significant event budgets.
* Negotiate and manage supplier agreements, margins, and commission structures.
* Contribute to departmental budgets and potential event P&L development.
CLIENT DELIVERY & RELATIONSHIPS
* Ensure the development and implementation of robust account structures to support client relationships.
* Drive a client-centric approach across the event division, ensuring exceptional service delivery and client satisfaction.
* Oversee the delivery of large-scale and new client events, ensuring best practices, key deliverables, and effective resource planning.
* Foster strong, long-term relationships with key clients, acting as a strategic partner and trusted advisor.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW
* Oversee operational functions, ensuring alignment and efficiency across all event-related activities.
* Evaluate and optimize technology ROI and event processes.
* Oversee onboarding and contracting processes for clients and suppliers.
* Drive supplier and vendor performance evaluations to ensure service quality, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.
* Conduct process analyses to identify inefficiencies and develop and implement effective solutions.
* Promote process alignment and synergy across divisions to enhance collaboration and cross-functional effectiveness.
* Maintain and enforce live event process documentation, ensuring it is current, comprehensive, and consistently followed.
* Work with operational functions to ensure compliance and health & safety standards.
GROWTH & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
* Align sales strategies for growth by working with the business development team and directors to develop and execute aligned EMEA growth strategies, targeting new markets and opportunities.
* Win new business via RFPs and pitches by leading compelling RFP responses and developing impactful pitch presentations in collaboration with Sales to secure new event business.
* Leverage events for brand positioning with marketing and sales to strategically utilize events to enhance brand perception and drive new business in EMEA.
* Contribute to sales targets, drive new event business, and expand client relationships to contribute to overall sales goals.
* Provide market intelligence and competitive insights, collaborating with sales and marketing to monitor the EMEA market and inform growth strategies.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
* Proven senior leadership experience in live event production across the global stage (8+ years), ideally within an agency environment.
* Strong strategic, commercial, and operational acumen, including P&L management, budgeting, and vendor negotiations.
* Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor high-performing teams across regions, with a focus on resourcing, development, and fostering a performance culture.
* Excellent client relationship skills with experience managing senior stakeholders and driving growth through pitches and RFP responses.
* Deep understanding of end-to-end event delivery, including technical production, compliance, and operational efficiency.
* Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional teams including business development, marketing, and operations to align on growth strategies and brand positioning.
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