Associate Director jobs in United Arab Emirates

Wasserman operates at the epicenter of sports, music and entertainment, serving talent, brands and properties on a global scale. Our brands and properties division works with iconic brands and rights holders, supporting business growth through all marketing disciplines. We're a trusted partner to every major league, team and venue, building meaningful connections between brands, properties and fans.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Wasserman's presence spans 28 countries and more than 70 cities, including New York, London, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Madrid, Mexico City, Toronto, Paris and Sydney. For more information, please visit www.teamwass.com.

We are looking for an experienced Event Director to join our Wasserman ME events department. In this role, you will be responsible for the strategic planning, end-to-end management, and successful execution of events, ensuring they align with both Wasserman’s and the client's objectives, and budget.

This role requires strong leadership, project management skills, and a deep understanding of the events landscape, including experience of large-scale international sporting, entertainment and corporate events in the UAE and Middle East.

• Lead end-to-end planning and execution of events and activations ensuring timelines, budgets and objectives are met
• Develop an excellent understanding of client strategy and brand objectives
• Management of relationships with stakeholders, partners, clients and key rights-holders
• Oversee and manage event budgets, track expenditures, and drive cost saving solutions whilst maintaining high delivery standards
• Source, negotiate, and manage external vendors for all event/project requirements
• Conceptualise and scope projects from technical, creative and commercials in response to RFPs
• Develop and manage project timelines and budgets
• Lead Internal and all-agency brainstorms and idea development
• Oversee KPI setting and project evaluation with team
• Run regular project and status meetings with senior clients (and rights holders where relevant)
• Be proactive to anticipate challenges / issues and put in place proactive resolutions
• Ensure all events adhere to safety regulations, licensing requirements, and internal policies
• Conduct debriefs, gather feedback, and prepare performance reports to inform future planning

Must be able to work independently, set personal goals and deadlines, manage complex workflows without constant supervision. This involves proactive time management and meeting organisational deadlines.

Responsible for leading and guiding the event team. This includes clearly delegating tasks, providing constructive feedback, and actively engaging in the professional development of junior team members.

Act as the primary point of escalation for team issues. Maintain high team morale by fostering a positive, supportive, and results-oriented work environment.

• 5+ years producing/delivering events
• Self-starter with a can-do attitude
• Strong client management skills - ability to manage clients to gain trust and respect of senior clients
• Take responsibility for delivering agreed level of activity and meeting deadlines
• Team management – ability to delegate and manage a team
• Ability to prioritise workload and respond to client briefs on time and within budget
• Excellent presentation skills (both writing and delivery), internally and to clients / suppliers including use of Microsoft PowerPoint
• Excellent communication skills – verbal and written – and attention to detail
• Creative thinking
• Fluent in Arabic

• Experienced and knowledgeable on acquiring necessary government permits and licenses for events in the UAE
• Experience working with government entities on operational delivery of large scale events

Wasserman does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.