General Manager – Events & Exhibition Hall

Saeed Ahmad Lootah Charity Foundation; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

The Saeed Ahmed Lootah Charity Foundation seeks a General Manager – Events & Exhibition Hall to lead our multipurpose venue in Dubai. You will drive bookings, revenue, and guest experience for weddings, exhibitions, conferences, and corporate events.

Responsibilities include strategy, sales, operations, budgeting, and compliance, with hands-on leadership. Fluency in English and Arabic is required, with flexibility for evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum 10 years in the industry, incl. 5+ years in GM/senior role.
• Proven track record managing multipurpose venues (halls, expo, weddings).
• Strong preference for UAE/Dubai experience.
• Fluent in English and Arabic, written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies to increase venue bookings and profitability.
• Lead sales, marketing, pricing, and client relationships with corporates, planners, and institutions.
• Drive revenue growth, manage contracts, and partnerships.
• Oversee daily venue operations and service delivery for events.
• Prepare budgets, monitor costs, and control cash flow.
• Maintain high hospitality standards and VIP event management.
• Ensure compliance with Dubai/UAE regulations and permits.

Skills

Business development

Sales & marketing

Commercial management

Venue operations

Financial management

Customer experience

Facilities management

Compliance & risk management

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Performance reporting

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

English

Arabic

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration / Hospitality / Event Management / Marketing

MBA / postgraduate qualification in hospitality or venue management (advantage)

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM platforms

Booking systems

Event management software

Job description

Job OverviewSaeed Ahmed Lootah Charity Foundation (SALCF) is seeking an experienced and commercially driven General Manager – Events & Exhibition Hall to oversee the overall business, financial, commercial, and operational management of its multipurpose events venue in Dubai.The successful candidate will be responsible for developing the venue into a preferred destination for weddings, exhibitions, conferences, corporate functions, graduation ceremonies, cultural gatherings, and community events.This role requires a hands-on leader with a proven track record in venue management, business development, revenue generation, profitability, and customer experience, while ensuring alignment with the Foundation's values and community objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Business Development: Develop and implement business strategies to increase venue bookings, utilisation, revenue, and profitability.

• Sales & Marketing: Lead sales and marketing initiatives, establish competitive pricing and packages, and build relationships with corporate clients, wedding planners, event organisers, schools, universities, and government entities.

• Commercial Management: Drive revenue growth, manage the sales pipeline, negotiate contracts, secure major bookings, and develop strategic business partnerships.

• Venue Operations: Oversee daily venue operations and ensure the successful delivery of weddings, exhibitions, conferences, corporate events, and other functions.

• Financial Management: Prepare annual budgets, monitor revenue and operating costs, manage cash flow, and implement effective cost-control measures.

• Customer Experience: Maintain high standards of hospitality and service excellence, manage VIP events, resolve client concerns, and build long‑term customer relationships.

• Facilities Management: Oversee venue maintenance, equipment, infrastructure, housekeeping, and asset preservation.

• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure compliance with applicable Dubai and UAE regulations, licensing requirements, health and safety standards, and event permits.

• Team Leadership: Recruit, manage, and develop teams across sales, events, operations, administration, facilities, and customer service.

• Stakeholder Management: Work closely with SALCF leadership, educational institutions, community organisations, suppliers, and government stakeholders.

• Performance Reporting: Monitor KPIs, including revenue, profitability, occupancy, conversion rates, customer satisfaction, operating costs, and operational efficiency.

Desired Candidate Profile

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

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 5 years in a General Manager or senior management role.

• Proven experience managing a multipurpose events hall, exhibition centre, convention centre, wedding venue, hotel banqueting operation, or similar commercial venue.

• Strong preference for candidates with at least 5 years of relevant experience in Dubai or the UAE.

• Demonstrated success in generating revenue, increasing venue utilisation, developing new business, and managing profitability.

• Established industry contacts with event organisers, wedding planners, exhibition companies, corporate clients, and institutional customers.

• Strong knowledge of Dubai's events industry, venue operations, supplier networks, and relevant regulatory requirements.

• Proven financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and commercial negotiation skills.

• Excellent leadership, communication, customer relationship, and problem-solving abilities.

• Excellent command of English and Arabic, both written and spoken.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRM platforms, booking systems, and event management software.

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays as required.

An MBA, postgraduate qualification, or professional certification in hospitality, events, or venue management will be an advantage.