Events Manager

Guidant Global; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Guidant Global in London is seeking a senior Event Manager on a 3-month contract to deliver large-scale forums across EMEA, the US and APAC. The role is hybrid with three days onsite per week and regular office attendance.

You will own events end-to-end through Q4, manage a multi-million dollar budget, and partner with Sales and Sponsorship functions to ensure high-profile experiences. There is potential for conversion to permanent roles; travel internationally is required.

Qualifications

• 5-10+ years in event management for large-scale commercial events.
• Experience with B2B/B2C conferences is valued.
• Proven ability to manage end-to-end delivery and budgets.
• Strong communication with C-level executives.
• Comfort with travel and global time zones.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning, execution, and post-event analysis of regional events.
• Ensure five-star experiences for senior audiences.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to set goals and audiences.
• Manage a budget over $2 million and track spend.
• Report budget status to department head and VP.
• Source and negotiate vendor contracts for cost optimisation.
• Identify event risks and develop contingency plans.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including executives.
• Define KPIs and evaluate event impact.

Skills

Senior event project management

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Multitasking under pressure

Global hours flexibility

Cross-functional collaboration

Event planning leadership

Tools

Event management software

Job description

Title: Event Manager Location: London SE1 8BF Job Type: 3 months Contract Work Type: Hybrid - onsite 3 days per week The organisation is seeking senior-level Event Managers on a contract basis to deliver large-scale, high-profile Canalys Forum events across EMEA, the US and APAC. These are premium, insight-led B2B conferences supported by a strong sales and sponsorship function and backed by significant budgets. The successful candidate needs to own and deliver events end-to-end through Q4 (October-December peak delivery period). There is potential for conversion to permanent roles if the fit is right. The roles are UK-based (London preferred), with regular office attendance and international travel.

Event Planning and Execution

• Overseeing the planning, execution, and post-event analysis of regional events in the Americas region.
• Ensuring five-star event experiences for senior audiences.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to set event goals, themes, and target audiences.

Budget Management

• Manage a budget of over $2 million, ensuring cost-effectiveness.
• Allocate funds to events strategically and track spending.
• Report budget status to department head and VP of Events.

P&L Impact

• Make resource allocation decisions based on data insights.
• Understand the impact of events on the company's performance.

Vendor Management and Negotiation

• Source, evaluate, and negotiate vendor contracts for cost optimisation.
• Maintain relationships with key vendors and address concerns.
• Be the regional point of contact for supplier issues.

Risk Management

• Identify and address potential event-related risks.
• Develop contingency plans for unexpected issues.

Industry Knowledge

• Working understanding of the IT channel ecosystem, including MSPs, SMBs, resellers, VARs, distributors, vendors, and media.
• Ability to navigate partnerships and commercial discussions within the channel.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders.
• Regular communication with C-level executives, internally and externally.

Measurement and Evaluation

• Implement KPIs to measure event success and impact.

Knowledge & Skills

• Familiarity with the event management software / apps, which are an integral part of the event, is required. The processing and integration of the event format in-person and via event apps is essential.
• Good understanding of the IT channel ecosystem, including MSPs, SMBs, resellers, VARs, distributors, vendors, and media.

Skills

• Highly organized with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines under pressure.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Resourceful and solution-oriented.
• Flexibility: Willingness to work across global time zones and adapt to non-standard hours.

Core Skills

• Strong senior event project management capability
• Ability to manage complex, multi-component live events with high visibility
• Excellent stakeholder management, including confidence working with: Sales teams Sponsorship stakeholders Senior internal leaders and C-suite audiences
• Budget management at scale

Experience Required

• 5-10+ years' experience in event management running large scale commercial events - B2B or B2C experience
• Background in large-scale commercial events is essential
• Experience from B2B events is ideal, but strong B2C backgrounds are also acceptable if transferable
• Particularly valued experience includes: Major conferences (1,000+ delegates) Sporting events or global commercial events High-production, brand-led experiences
• Direct tech or IT background not required - communication and delivery skills are prioritised over sector knowledge
• Experience must include knowledge of the IT channel, commercial awareness of the IT industry, full event project management, experience with managing dedicated budgets, management of senior event executives, and established supplier relationships.
• Working understanding of the IT channel ecosystem, including MSPs, SMBs, resellers, VARs, distributors, vendors, and media.
• Ability to navigate partnerships and commercial discussions within the channel.