Event Manager

SAVVY RECRUITMENT; England; Hybrid; GBP 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent recruitment agency based in Surrey seeks an ambitious Event Manager to lead a high-profile event. This full-time role, operating on USA hours, blends strategic leadership with hands-on delivery. The ideal candidate will drive growth, manage client relationships, and oversee financial operations ensuring budget compliance. This position offers a competitive salary of £65k, combining a revenue-first leadership style with innovative ideas to shape the event's future direction.

Qualifications

• Experience in event management or a related sales role.
• Proven track record in strategic planning and execution.
• Strong financial management skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver growth plans for events.
• Lead sales strategy and client retention efforts.
• Manage financial forecasts and operational budgets.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Client retention

Account growth

Revenue generation

Financial management

Job description

📍Location: Surrey (Hybrid)

⏰Hours: Full-time USA hours required (10am–6pm or 11am–7pm UK time)

💵Salary & OTE: £65k

Overview

An exciting opportunity is available for an ambitious Event Manager to take ownership of a high-profile event within a dynamic, award‑winning events business. This is a commercially led role ideal for a Sales Manager ready to step up or an experienced Event Manager looking to drive growth, innovation, and client excellence.

The role blends strategic leadership with hands‑on delivery and offers significant scope to shape the future direction of the event.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Strategy & Growth

• Define and deliver a clear growth plan for the event, identifying commercial objectives, revenue opportunities, risks, and KPIs
• Own the strategy for client retention and account growth, driving quarterly and annual revenue and margin targets
• Review pricing structures and introduce initiatives to increase revenue and strengthen long‑term client relationships
• Develop and evolve a compelling value proposition, introducing innovative ideas and technical enhancements

Sales Leadership

• Lead the creation of a new suite of sales tools to support proposition‑led selling
• Attend exhibitions to generate revenue, promote the event, and conduct interviews
• Collaborate with other Event Directors to encourage cross‑department lead sharing and joint opportunities

Financial & Operational Management

• Produce and manage financial forecasts, billing cycles, reconciliation, and departmental spend
• Ensure adherence to all payment and financial procedures
• Monitor departmental performance, identifying trends and opportunities to improve efficiency, resource allocation, and working practices
• Work closely with the Operations Director to ensure operational expenditure remains within budget

Marketing, Content & Visitor Growth

• Partner with the marketing team to ensure spend remains within budget while maximising impact
• Collaborate on developing a compelling visitor proposition to drive attendance and engagement
• Work closely with the Head of Content to ensure a strong, high‑quality content programme is delivered

Leadership & Process Improvement

• Demonstrate a hands‑on, revenue‑first leadership style that drives performance and best practice
• Proactively identify smarter, faster ways to improve processes and client service delivery
• Ensure all event documentation and operational paperwork is accurate and in place
• Take full accountability for the business unit, ensuring quality standards and service propositions are consistently met

Communication & Culture

• Communicate regularly with the wider team, providing clear updates on strategy, performance, and key developments (including weekly meetings)
• Consistently demonstrate professionalism, maturity, tact, and diplomacy
• Lead by example, fostering a collaborative, high‑performance culture