Event Operations Manager

JR United Kingdom; Chester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK’s event industry is seeking an Event Manager to oversee the operational delivery of high-profile mass participation events. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in event planning, exceptional organizational skills, and a passion for running. This role involves managing logistics, leading teams, and ensuring the successful execution of events while fostering relationships with stakeholders.

Benefits

5 weeks plus 8 bank holidays

Flexible working hours

Work phone and laptop provided

Free entry to sister events

Discounted race entries for friends

£70 race entry fund

Professional development opportunities

Regular team socials

Qualifications

• Minimum two years’ operational experience in live event planning.
• Proven track record in mass participation events.
• Comfortable working weekends and on-site with early starts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and plan the operational delivery of physical events.
• Lead course and operational delivery on large-scale event days.
• Create and manage operational documentation.

Skills

Organization

Communication

Leadership

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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BASED: Chester (Travel is involved for events)

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: 2+ years of event experience at managerial level

Do you thrive under pressure and love the buzz of delivering unforgettable live events?

We're looking for a highly organized and driven individual, experienced across all aspects of event delivery, to join the Active Leisure Events team. We organize some of the UK’s leading, multi-award-winning mass participation events, and our team supports various events around the UK. At Active Leisure Events, we’re committed to delivering exceptional events and ensuring we enjoy the journey along the way.

We’re seeking a candidate to support the successful delivery of our dynamic, high-quality, mass participation events through all aspects of event operational planning. From concept to clean-up, venue and contractor management, volunteer and staffing logistics, you will be involved in every detail, ensuring it meets the expectations of our runners, sponsors, and our own standards. The successful candidate will take a leading role in course logistics and team leader briefings.

What you’ll be doing

• Develop and plan the operational delivery of physical events with the Event Director
• Create and manage operational documentation, including course maps, volunteer deployment plans, timelines, safety documents, and team leader briefings
• Lead course and operational delivery on four large-scale, high-profile event days from our Race Control
• Liaise and assist our Volunteer Coordinator to ensure all volunteering requirements are met
• Deliver event and team leader briefings
• Oversee and develop relationships with venues, contractors, businesses, and other key stakeholders
• Develop and execute our stakeholder notification plan
• Support event day delivery across other events with our sister event organizer
• Embed best practices and drive continual improvement post-event

Experience and Essential Skills

• Minimum two years’ operational experience in live event planning
• Proven track record in mass participation events
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects under time pressure
• Outstanding organization and communication skills
• Solution-focused approach in fast-paced environments
• High attention to detail
• Excellent leadership, delegation, and decision-making skills
• A strong work ethic and ability to work independently and remotely during the week
• Comfortable working weekends and on-site with early starts
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and good general IT skills
• Knowledge of the UK running industry
• Passionate about events and running
• Full driving license

Employee Benefits

• 5 weeks plus 8 bank holidays, totaling 33 days a year
• Flexible working hours to accommodate training and exercise
• Work phone and laptop provided
• Free entry to any of our sister events for you and your family
• Deeply discounted race entries for your friends
• £70 race entry fund to participate in non-ALE events
• Regular social runs with the team outdoors
• Professional development opportunities to upskill
• Personal development through team-building workshops, management training, guest speakers, and more
• Free regular team socials with your regional team
• Biannual full-team social days with our sister events delivery team

Closing Date for Applications: 8th June

How to apply

Please send your CV and a covering email to [emailprotected], explaining why you’re the right person for the job. We’ll inform you if your application is successful and invite you for an interview.