Head of Sports Events @ ESM Dubai

ESM - Events and Sports Management; Dubai; On-site; AED 650,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

A competitive salary package

Annual flight allowance

Private medical insurance

End of service benefit

Access to lifestyle discounts

Job summary

ESM - Events and Sports Management is seeking an experienced Head of Events to lead the ESMlive unit and ensure delivery to consistent national and international standards. Reporting to the Commercial Director, you will direct the Events Manager, DSG Lead, and team members to deliver sports and auditorium events, school games, and university initiatives.

You will own portfolio governance, safety and safeguarding, budgeting, stakeholder relations, and business development, while expanding

Qualifications

• Degree or higher in a relevant field; professional certifications are a plus.
• Experience delivering national/international sports events and managing multiple leads.
• Strong safeguarding awareness and ability to work with government entities and federations.

Responsibilities

• Direct the complete ESMlive portfolio through leaders ensuring delivery to standards, timetable and budget.
• Set objectives, decision rights and performance expectations for the leads and teams.
• Establish operating systems, rehearsals, documentation, and quality controls for events.
• Support business development by bidding for new properties, leagues, and platforms.
• Ensure safety, safeguarding, stakeholder relations, and financial performance.

Skills

Bilingual Arabic and English

Portfolio leadership

Governance & compliance

Event technology & run sheets

Stakeholder management

Budgeting & procurement

Education

Degree in Sports Management, Event Management, Business, or related field

Certifications in event management or safeguarding

Job description

ESM is looking for an experienced and strategic Head of Events to lead the ESM Group's Events Management Unit, ESMlive, and ensure the Group's complete events portfolio is delivered to consistent national and international standards.

Reporting to the Commercial Director, the Head of Events provides strategic and operational leadership to the Events Manager, DSG Lead, and any additional team members appointed to manage new platforms secured through current or future bids.

Through these direct reports, the role is accountable for the delivery of Hamilton Aquatics and other ESM academy competitions, auditorium events and event‑support coordination, the Dubai Schools Games, the University Games (subject to a successful bid), and other sports and corporate events delivered in coordination with the Sales team.

The Head of Events is responsible for portfolio governance, operating standards, financial performance, stakeholder relationships, health and safety, safeguarding, and the continued development of ESMlive into a highly professional and high‑performing events unit.

Key Objectives

• Portfolio Governance & Delivery: Direct the complete ESMlive portfolio through the Events Manager, DSG Lead, and University Games Lead, ensuring clear ownership and delivery to the agreed standard, timetable, and budget.
• Team Leadership & Accountability: Set objectives, decision rights, and performance expectations for the three direct‑report leads, building a collaborative and accountable leadership team.
• Operational Excellence: Establish rigorous operating systems, documentation, rehearsals, and quality controls across all events, embedding accuracy, diligence, and continuous improvement.
• Business Development & Portfolio Growth: Support the Commercial Director in identifying, bidding for, and mobilising new sports properties, competitions, leagues, and event platforms.
• Commercial & Auditorium Performance: Remain accountable for the commercial performance of GEMS auditorium leasing and ensure sold events are operationally deliverable and meet client commitments.
• Financial Performance: Achieve departmental financial targets, approve and monitor event budgets, and ensure disciplined procurement and value for money.
• Stakeholder Relations: Build senior relationships with government entities, sports councils, federations, academies, schools, universities, venues, sponsors, and strategic partners.
• Safety & Safeguarding: Ensure full compliance with health and safety requirements and robust safeguarding of children and young people across the entire portfolio.

Desired Qualifications

• Degree in Sports Management, Event Management, Business, or a related field.
• Recognised event management, project management, or safeguarding certifications are an advantage.

Desired Experience

• 5 to 10 years of experience leading national or international sports events, competitions, and award ceremonies.
• Proven experience leading several functional or programme leads and professionalising event delivery teams.
• Experience delivering events with government entities, national federations, schools, universities, or international sports bodies.
• Experience delivering events involving children and young people, with strong safeguarding awareness.
• Experience preparing competitive bids, RFP responses, event‑hosting proposals, and mobilisation plans is highly desirable.

Job‑Specific Knowledge & Skills

• Bilingual Arabic and English capability is strongly preferred.
• Portfolio leadership and governance, with the ability to establish clear accountability across multiple leads and workstreams.
• Mastery of event operating systems, run sheets, rehearsal planning, and technical delivery documentation.
• Meticulous attention to detail, with a disciplined and diligent approach to planning and execution.
• Working knowledge of event technology, including entries, timing, results, accreditation, and live‑streaming systems.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and performance management skills with the ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure.
• Budget management, procurement, commercial judgement, and contract negotiation skills.
• Risk assessment, contingency planning, health and safety, and safeguarding management.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills at senior, government, and partner levels.
• Knowledge of the UAE and regional sports, education, and events markets. Auditorium or venue leasing experience is an advantage.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary package
• Annual flight allowance
• Private medical insurance
• End of service benefit
• Access to lifestyle discounts