Head of Event Operations

Nicoll Curtin; Dubai; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Head of Event Operations to elevate the execution journey for major international conferences. This role involves managing operational planning across multiple countries, leading teams, and ensuring outstanding attendee experiences through meticulous attention to detail and crisis management strategies.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in event operation/ticket management for large-scale global events.
• Experience building event operations functions from scratch.
• Leadership experience including hiring and mentoring junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Design end-to-end operational SOPs for large-scale events.
• Oversee end-to-end event execution process ensuring seamless coordination.
• Develop crisis management strategies for live events.

Skills

Crisis management

Project management

Attention to detail

Strong resilience

Interpersonal communication

Problem solving

Job description

Head of Event Operations

We’re looking for a Head of Event Operations to own and elevate the entire event execution journey for one of Asia’s most prominent large-scale conferences in the web3 and emerging tech space.

You’ll lead ticketing, system integrations, build and scale onsite operations teams, and drive operational planning across countries like Singapore, New York and others — all while ensuring every attendee experience runs seamlessly, even under pressure.

This globally recognized event stands out on the international calendar because of its deep focus on attendee experience — every aspect of the event is designed to be memorable and reflect a high standard of execution and attention to detail. You will be responsible for ensuring that participants find what they are looking for and remain engaged both digitally and in person.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement end-to-end operational SOPs, workflows, and escalation plans for large-scale events from scratch
• Develop contingency and backup protocols for crisis situations (e.g., technical failures, power outages, system breakdowns)
• Lead integration of external systems including third-party ticketing platforms and crypto payment gateways
• Oversee end-to-end event execution process, ensuring that all logistical elements are seamlessly coordinated
• Manage regulatory, compliance, and permit-related liaison with government bodies in Singapore and other locations
• Lead, mentor, and expand the operations team; responsible for hiring and upskilling junior ops/CX staff
• Ticket management, including ticket sales, inventory management, and customer support
• Manage the online and on-site attendee registration before and during the event
• Manage the event staff, volunteers, and any subcontractors on-site
• Coordinate with vendors to resolve any issues or changes during the event planning and execution phases
• Troubleshoot and address any issues that arise during the event, making timely decisions to maintain the event's success
• Manage the Community Team, ensuring that both inbound and outbound inquiries are handled in a timely manner
• Analyze event data and metrics to identify areas for improvement in operations and provide recommendations

Skills & Experience

• Must have experience building event operations functions from scratch
• 7+ years of experience with event operation/ticket management for large-scale global events
• Crisis management experience for live events is required for the role
• Leadership experience including hiring and mentoring junior staff
• Vendor & authority negotiation experience regionally
• Experience in planning and implementing new systems/initiatives to enhance operation process
• Experience with crypto payment gateways / tech integrations for events are good to have
• Entrepreneurial, detail-oriented, pragmatic, self-starter attitude
• Project management skills to juggle multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Attention to detail, critical thinking, problem solving, and the ability to work under pressure
• Strong resilience and patience
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

Ideal candidates have previously led event operations for large-scale conferences, festivals, or sports events (e.g. F1, MICE, blockchain summits), and have worked in environments requiring rapid troubleshooting, systems thinking, and cross-border regulatory liaison.