Event Manager / Festival Operations Manager

Initiative des Jeunes pour l'Emergence du Niger (IJEN); Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Initiative des Jeunes pour l'Emergence du Niger (IJEN) seeks an experienced Event Manager to lead complex festivals and large-scale events from concept to post-event review. You will coordinate venues, teams, budgets, sponsors, and safety protocols to deliver exceptional audiences experiences.

The role requires strong leadership, planning skills, and a track record in operations for multi-day events. Evenings, weekends, and extended hours during events are expected.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality Management, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Proven experience in event management, festival operations, entertainment, or large-scale event coordination.
• Strong knowledge of event planning, production, logistics, budgeting, and on-site operations.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and manage events, festivals, exhibitions, concerts, and promotional activities.
• Develop event concepts, operational plans, schedules, budgets, and execution strategies.
• Coordinate venues, suppliers, contractors, performers, sponsors, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Oversee event setup, logistics, production, staging, lighting, sound, and technical arrangements.
• Manage event operations, manpower allocation, registration, crowd management, and visitor services.
• Supervise event staff, volunteers, contractors, and operational teams.
• Monitor event budgets, procurement, expenses, and resource allocation.
• Coordinate marketing, promotions, sponsorships, and public relations activities.
• Ensure appropriate crowd safety, emergency response, security, and risk management arrangements.
• Monitor event progress and resolve operational issues during event execution.
• Maintain effective communication with clients, partners, authorities, and service providers.
• Conduct post-event evaluations and prepare performance reports and improvement recommendations.
• Identify opportunities to improve event quality, audience engagement, operational efficiency, and profitability.

Skills

Event management

Project management

Leadership

Budgeting

Logistics

Communication

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Crowd management

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality Management, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, creative, and highly organised Event Manager / Festival Operations Manager to plan, coordinate, and oversee events, festivals, exhibitions, and large-scale entertainment activities. The role is responsible for managing the entire event lifecycle, from concept development and planning to on-site execution and post-event evaluation. The successful candidate will ensure smooth event operations, effective resource management, excellent audience experiences, and successful delivery within approved budgets and timelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and manage events, festivals, exhibitions, concerts, and promotional activities.
• Develop event concepts, operational plans, schedules, budgets, and execution strategies.
• Coordinate venues, suppliers, contractors, performers, sponsors, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Oversee event setup, logistics, production, staging, lighting, sound, and technical arrangements.
• Manage event operations, manpower allocation, registration, crowd management, and visitor services.
• Supervise event staff, volunteers, contractors, and operational teams.
• Monitor event budgets, procurement, expenses, and resource allocation.
• Coordinate marketing, promotions, sponsorships, and public relations activities.
• Ensure appropriate crowd safety, emergency response, security, and risk management arrangements.
• Monitor event progress and resolve operational issues during event execution.
• Maintain effective communication with clients, partners, authorities, and service providers.
• Conduct post-event evaluations and prepare performance reports and improvement recommendations.
• Identify opportunities to improve event quality, audience engagement, operational efficiency, and profitability.

Requirements

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality Management, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Proven experience in event management, festival operations, entertainment, or large-scale event coordination.
• Strong knowledge of event planning, production, logistics, budgeting, and on-site operations.
• Experience managing vendors, contractors, sponsors, performers, and multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent project management, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, tight deadlines, and operational challenges.
• Good understanding of crowd management, event safety, emergency planning, and risk assessment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and relevant event planning or project management tools.
• Flexible to work evenings, weekends, public holidays, and extended hours during event periods.
• Creative mindset with a strong commitment to event quality, audience satisfaction, and operational excellence.