Event Director

Client of Salt; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Client of Salt Dubai is seeking an experienced Event Director to own end-to-end strategy, execution and commercial success of B2B trade shows or a portfolio of events. You will lead cross-functional teams across sales, marketing, operations and content, set revenue targets, negotiate high-value deals with sponsors and exhibitors, and ensure high-quality attendee experiences.

The role requires strong P&L ownership, industry insight and a proven track record in international or regional event

Qualifications

• Experience leading B2B trade exhibitions or large conferences.
• Proven P&L ownership and revenue growth track record.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the events strategy, including revenue targets.
• Lead cross-functional teams across sales, marketing, operations and content.
• Own P&L and drive profitability for the event portfolio.
• Negotiate high-value sponsorships and exhibitor deals.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Team management

Stakeholder management

Analytical mindset

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing/Communications or related field

Job description

Role Overview

The Event Director is responsible for the end-to-end ownership, strategy, execution and commercial success of a B2B trade show or portfolio of events. This role leads cross-functional teams across sales, marketing, operations and content to deliver high-quality revenue-driven and industry-relevant events.

Key Responsibilities

Event Strategy & Leadership: Define and execute the overall vision, positioning and growth strategy for the events. Develop annual business plans including revenue targets, audience development and market expansion. Identify new opportunities for product extensions, features or regional launches. Monitor industry trends, competitor activity and market demand to ensure event relevance. Commercial Ownership: Own full P&L responsibility for the events. Drive revenue through exhibitor sales, sponsorships, partnerships and ancillary revenue streams. Work closely with the sales team to define target accounts, pricing strategy and sales campaigns. Negotiate high-value deals with key clients and strategic partners. Ensure delivery of revenue targets and profitability goals. Content & Programming: Oversee the development of high-quality conference agendas aligned with industry needs. Curate speakers, topics and advisory boards. Ensure content drives delegate acquisition, exhibitor value and thought leadership positioning. Collaborate with industry stakeholders, associations and subject matter experts. Marketing & Audience Development: Work with marketing teams to define audience acquisition strategies. Drive growth of qualified attendees, buyers and stakeholders. Ensure strong brand positioning through digital PR and campaign strategies. Align messaging across all channels to support commercial and content goals. Operations & Delivery: Oversee event operations, logistics and onsite execution. Ensure smooth coordination across internal teams and external vendors. Maintain high standards of event quality, safety and attendee experience. Manage timelines, budgets and resource allocation effectively. Stakeholder & Partner Management: Build and maintain relationships with key industry stakeholders, government entities, sponsors and exhibitors. Act as the primary senior representative of the events in the market. Engage with partners to enhance event credibility and reach. Team Leadership: Lead, mentor and develop cross-functional teams sales, marketing, operations and content. Set clear KPIs, performance expectations and accountability frameworks. Foster a high-performance, collaborative and results-driven culture.

Key Requirements

Experience: Proven experience in B2B trade exhibitions, conferences or large-scale business events. Strong track record in event leadership, commercial ownership and revenue generation. Experience managing P&L and delivering multi-million-dollar events. Background in international or regional event portfolios is highly desirable. Skills & Competencies: Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills. Strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into execution. Leadership and team management capabilities. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. Analytical mindset with ability to interpret market data and performance metrics. Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications or related field or equivalent experience.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Revenue targets, exhibitors, sponsorships, partnerships. Profitability P&L performance. Exhibitor and attendee satisfaction. Audience growth and quality. Content quality and engagement. Timely and successful event delivery.

Personal Attributes: Results-driven and commercially minded. Entrepreneurial and proactive. Highly organized with attention to detail. Collaborative and influential leader. Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced environment.

Proven experience in B2B trade exhibitions, conferences, or large-scale business events. Strong track record in event leadership, commercial ownership, and revenue generation. Experience managing P&L and delivering multi-million-dollar events. Background in international or regional event portfolios is highly desirable. Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills. Strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into execution. Leadership and team management capabilities. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. Analytical mindset with ability to interpret market data and performance metrics. Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities. Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or related field (or equivalent experience). Results-driven and commercially minded. Entrepreneurial and proactive. Highly organized with attention to detail. Collaborative and influential leader. Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced environment.