Head of Event Operations
Business: emap
Brands: Construction News, New Civil Engineer, Ground Engineering, Local Government Chronicle, Nursing Times
Base Location: Fleet Street / Hybrid (3 days in the office)
Employment Type: Full time, Permanent
Salary: £ Competitive + 30% Bonus
Overview
The Head of Event Operations is accountable for the end‑to‑end operational management and delivery of all events within the portfolio, including awards, conferences, and careers fairs. The role ensures consistently exceptional standards across every aspect of event delivery while driving efficiency, scalability, and cost effectiveness.
Responsible for designing, implementing, and continually improving operational frameworks, processes, and supplier partnerships, creating a robust, best‑in‑class delivery model that supports a superior customer experience before, during, and after each event.
The position also leads the recruitment, development, and guidance of the event operations team to ensure the right structure and culture for excellence.
Key Responsibilities
* Operational Leadership & Governance
Provide senior operational leadership across the full events portfolio, ensuring consistently high standards of delivery across awards, conferences, and career fairs. Establish clear governance, standards, and best‑practice frameworks to support high‑quality, scalable event delivery and ensure all events are delivered on time, on budget, and in line with brand, quality, and customer experience expectations.
* Budget Management & Cost Control
Own and manage detailed operational budgets for all events, keeping budgets accurate, current, and well governed. Track, forecast, and report operational costs monthly, proactively identifying risks, variances, and cost‑saving opportunities. Ensure all venue and supplier payments, deposits, and contractual obligations are managed accurately while driving cost efficiency without compromising quality or customer experience.
* End-to-End Event Delivery & Project Planning
Build and oversee detailed end‑to‑end project delivery plans for all events, from initial planning through to post‑event debrief and evaluation. Lead onsite delivery and execution, ensuring a seamless, professional experience for all stakeholders.
* Customer Experience & Service Excellence
Develop and implement a strategy to enhance the end‑to‑end customer journey for delegates, sponsors, speakers, judges, and award guests. Own the operational delivery of a high‑quality customer experience before, during, and after events. Author and implement customer service communication plans and continually improve service standards through SLAs, feedback, and performance objectives.
* Supplier & Venue Management
Lead venue procurement processes to secure venues that deliver best value, quality, and service. Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, regularly auditing performance and identifying opportunities for improvement.
* Resource Planning & Team Leadership
Plan, schedule, and deploy operational resources effectively. Recruit, lead, develop, and retain a high‑performing event operations team, fostering accountability, capability, and engagement.
* Onsite Leadership & Execution
Take overall responsibility for onsite operational planning and delivery, ensuring smooth execution, rapid issue resolution, and strong leadership presence. Ensure teams and suppliers are fully briefed and aligned to delivery plans and service standards.
* Compliance, Risk & Safety Management
Ensure full compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations, and internal policies, including health & safety, insurance, and risk management. Own and oversee risk assessments, method statements, and contingency planning.
Skills and Experience
* Proven experience in a senior event operations role within a commercial events, publishing, or information‑led business.
* Strong record of delivering complex B2B events across multiple formats, including conferences, awards, exhibitions, career fairs, and virtual or hybrid events.
* Experience leading and developing event operations teams of three or more, focusing on performance, capability, and engagement.
* Extensive experience in end‑to‑end event operations: venue sourcing, supplier management, logistics, onsite delivery, and post‑event evaluation.
* Knowledge of operational budgeting, forecasting, and cost control, with experience managing operational budgets and maintaining financial discipline.
* Strategic thinking and operational planning, designing scalable processes and delivery models.
* Strong understanding of health & safety, risk management, and compliance, supported by IOSH or an equivalent recognised qualification.
* Effective collaboration with cross‑functional stakeholders including sales, marketing, editorial, and commercial teams.
* Confident user of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and knowledgeable about event technology and virtual event platforms.
* Organised, detail‑oriented, and delivery‑focused, able to manage multiple events and priorities in fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environments.
Core Competencies
* Operational & Financial Management – Owning and managing operational budgets, foreseeing accurate forecasts, controlling costs, and acting decisively to address variances while maintaining quality.
* Commercial Judgment & Brand Alignment – Balancing commercial objectives with brand values, customer experience, and long‑term portfolio integrity.
* Stakeholder Influence & Collaboration – Influencing and aligning senior stakeholders across multiple functions to deliver commercially successful events.
* Leadership, People & Capability Development – Leading, motivating, mentoring, and coaching teams to create a high‑performance culture focused on accountability.
* Project Management & Delivery Excellence – Excellent organisational and project management skills to deliver complex events against deadlines, budgets, and quality benchmarks.
* Communication, Credibility & Presence – First‑class communicator with gravitas and influence to build credibility and trust at senior levels internally and externally.
Personal Attributes
* Confident, autonomous, and resilient, owning complex operational delivery and remaining calm under pressure.
* Articulate and credible, with a polished presence and ability to operate effectively at senior management level.
* Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills, fostering trust and collaboration across teams, stakeholders, and suppliers.
* Highly organised, meticulous, and attentive to detail across multiple events and workstreams.
* Proactive, solutions‑focused, with curiosity, sound judgement, and creativity for problem solving and continuous improvement.
* Calm, adaptable, and effective in fast‑paced environments, comfortable managing competing priorities.
Benefits
* 25 days of annual leave with the option to buy or sell additional days.
* One extra day of leave per year – Celebration Day.
* Health plan.
* Life assurance.
* Private virtual GP access.
* Seasonal flu jabs available at the office.
* Continuous learning & development opportunities.
* In‑house Excellence Awards and other innovation projects.
* Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
* Discounted gym memberships.
* Retail discount vouchers.
* Rail season ticket loans.
* Pension scheme.
* One paid volunteer day per year.
* Annual summer & winter celebrations.
* Work from home during August.
* Income protection and more.
Diversity and Inclusion
We are an equal‑opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, age, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.
Privacy
Metropolis Group respects the privacy of every person for whom we have personal data. We comply with data protection legislation such as the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulation, ensuring data is processed fairly, lawfully, and securely and only necessary data is retained.
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