Associate Events Director

Private; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Private, a Dubai-based events and creative agency, seeks an experienced Associate Events Director to lead major projects from concept to completion, oversee the events team, manage key client relationships and drive growth of the department.

You will coordinate across events logistics, production, venues and suppliers for corporate meetings, conferences and incentive programs, locally and internationally, while maintaining high standards and strong profitability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of solid experience in events/MICE, in senior leadership.
• Extensive experience managing corporate meetings and international events.
• Proven UAE MICE experience is mandatory.
• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required.
• Strong budgeting, costing, pricing and supplier negotiations.
• Excellent client management and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to lead teams and manage multiple projects.
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of corporate events locally and internationally.
• Own major projects from client brief to final reconciliation.
• Develop creative event concepts and proposals aligned to budgets.
• Oversee events portfolio ensuring proper planning and delivery.
• Lead and coach Event Managers and Executives.
• Maintain client relationships and ensure satisfaction and retention.
• Manage budgets, costing, pricing and profitability.
• Support Events Director and fill leadership gaps when needed.
• Drive business development and contribute to pitches.

Skills

Senior leadership

Event management

Budgeting & pricing

Client relationship management

Team leadership

MICE industry experience

English proficiency

Job description

About the Company

We are a dynamic events and creative agency based in Dubai, delivering tailored event solutions and impactful brand experiences for a diverse portfolio of clients. Our collaborative team works across operations, design, production and events logistics to deliver exceptional experiences while fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous professional growth.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Associate Events Director to join our team. This is a senior leadership role for an events professional who combines strong operational expertise, creativity, commercial awareness and people leadership. The successful candidate will lead major projects from concept to completion, oversee and support the events team, manage key client relationships and contribute to the overall performance and growth of the events department.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of corporate events, meetings, conferences, congresses and incentive programs, locally and internationally.
• Take full ownership of major projects from client brief, concept and proposal development through planning, execution and final reconciliation.
• Develop creative event ideas, proposals, presentations and programs that respond to client objectives and budgets.
• Oversee the wider events portfolio, ensuring projects are properly planned, resourced and delivered according to company standards.
• Manage and support Event Managers and Executives, including workload allocation, coaching, performance guidance and quality control.
• Act as a senior point of contact for key clients, building strong relationships and ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and retention.
• Oversee project budgets, costing, pricing and profitability, ensuring strong financial and commercial control across assigned projects.
• Review proposals, budgets and project plans prepared by team members and provide guidance and approvals where required.
• Support the Events Director in the planning, management and overall performance of the events department, and assume leadership responsibilities in their absence.
• Monitor team capacity, project pipelines, deadlines and operational priorities and proactively address potential risks or resource gaps.
• Lead supplier sourcing and negotiations with hotels, venues, DMCs, production companies, AV suppliers and other event partners, ensuring competitive pricing and service quality.
• Oversee key operational areas including production, accommodation, transportation, registration, delegate management and on-site logistics.
• Lead on-site operations for major events and provide senior-level support in resolving operational challenges and last-minute changes.
• Drive business development and account growth, identifying opportunities within existing accounts and contributing to pitches and new business proposals.
• Participate in client presentations, tenders and RFPs and contribute to the development of commercially competitive solutions.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key industry partners and continuously identify new destinations, venues, suppliers and event solutions.
• Establish and maintain high standards, processes and best practices across the events team to ensure consistency, efficiency and service excellence.
• Provide management with regular updates on project status, departmental performance, commercial opportunities, risks and operational challenges.

Requirements

• Minimum 15 years of solid experience in the events/MICE industry, including experience in a senior event management or leadership position, holding the same position of Associate Events Director or similar for at least 2 years.
• Extensive experience managing corporate meetings, conferences, congresses, incentive programs and complex international events.
• Proven UAE MICE experience is mandatory.
• Fluency in English verbal and writing
• Proven experience leading teams and overseeing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong commercial understanding, including budgeting, costing, pricing, profitability and supplier negotiation.
• Excellent client management skills with the confidence to deal with senior-level stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills with the ability to guide teams and take ownership when challenges arise.
• Creative mindset with the ability to translate client briefs into engaging event concepts and experiences.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is mandatory.
• Excellent organizational, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong international destination and supplier knowledge.
• Experience with pharmaceutical and healthcare events is a must.
• Flexibility to travel internationally as required.