Senior Event Manager/Project Lead – Major UK Sporting Events
Location:
Oxfordshire based, with UK travel
Contract:
Full-time, permanent
Salary:
£50K-£60K
CoCo Group are delighted to be partnering with one of the UK's leading hospitality and event specialists to recruit a
Senior Event Manager/Project Lead
. This is a career-defining opportunity to take full ownership of three flagship tournaments, delivering world-class experiences at some of the UK's most prestigious live sporting events.
The Role
As Senior Event Manager, you'll lead the
end-to-end delivery
of high-profile tournaments, acting as the central client liaison for senior stakeholders and steering every aspect of project strategy, planning, and execution. From hospitality and retail food operations to logistics and creative direction, you'll bring together cross-functional teams to deliver seamless, innovative, and memorable events.
This role is as much about
strategic leadership
as it is about operational excellence, one moment you'll be managing budgets and supplier networks, and the next you'll be motivating large on-site teams to deliver under pressure. You'll also be responsible for aligning with long-term client objectives, ensuring these events set new standards for both guest experience and commercial success.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the full lifecycle of three major tournaments with accountability for delivery, budgets, and KPIs
* Act as the
primary client contact
, building strong relationships with senior stakeholders
* Provide direction and motivation across all event areas, from culinary and retail to logistics and people operations
* Own and manage the full event budgets, including forecasting, spend tracking, and reconciliation
* Oversee supplier relationships and leverage internal assets for maximum efficiency and value
* Develop and deliver food & beverage strategies, supporting innovation and excellence across retail and hospitality
* Ensure all creative elements – menus, equipment, branding – align with event and client objectives
* Lead and inspire teams, fostering a culture of positivity, professionalism, and well-being
About You
We're seeking a
proven event leader
with a track record of delivering large-scale, complex events. You'll bring advanced financial and project management skills, along with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at the highest levels. A deep understanding of
event catering, supplier management, and F&B trends
is essential, as is the ability to lead teams in both planning and high-pressure live environments.
You'll be:
* Experienced in managing large-scale cultural, sporting, or hospitality events
* A background in leading large scale hospitality operations, as well as overseeing retail ops
* A confident and credible leader with exceptional communication skills
* Financially astute, with strong forecasting, reporting, and budget management expertise
* Commercially creative, always looking for ways to innovate and elevate guest experience
* Organised, resilient, and calm under pressure, with the ability to scale leadership style from pre-event planning to onsite delivery
This is an opportunity to be at the heart of
world-class UK sporting events
, combining your leadership, creativity, and operational expertise to shape experiences that inspire guests, partners, and stakeholders alike. If you thrive on delivering excellence at scale and enjoy working in high-energy, dynamic environments, this role offers the perfect stage for your skills.