Pharmaceutical Events Operations Manager [AQ-25164]

Aquent; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing services

Development plans

Supportive culture

Job summary

Aquent partners with a globally recognized communications agency, seeking an operational lead to drive governance, processes, and compliance for a large-scale healthcare program.

You will coordinate cross-market congress activities, manage budgets and ToV reporting, and uphold pharmaceutical regulations while guiding teams and vendors. This is a dynamic, high-impact role in a global environment.

Qualifications

• Proven background in healthcare events, congresses, or pharmaceutical program management.
• Strong knowledge of ToV reporting and pharma compliance frameworks.
• Experience interpreting country-specific healthcare industry codes and regulations.
• Advanced Excel and budgeting, forecasting, and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain program processes, governance frameworks, and operating procedures to ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Coordinate activities across diverse workstreams, suppliers, and stakeholders to deliver cohesive programs.
• Monitor program health, identify risks, and track milestones with precision.
• Lead budgeting, reconciliation, and reporting efforts across multiple markets.

Skills

Healthcare events

Budgeting & forecasting

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Advanced Excel

Finance systems

Job description

Aquent is proud to partner with a globally recognized, award-winning communications agency that stands at the frontier of the consumer and pharmaceutical sectors. Celebrated for its unparalleled creativity, dynamic events, and strategic communications expertise, our client fosters an entrepreneurial and agile culture that has fueled unprecedented growth. This dynamic environment supports significant, complex projects, including large-scale change initiatives and business transformations. Joining this team means stepping into a friendly, energetic, and collaborative space that champions a “Culture of Belonging,” ensuring every voice is valued. Here, your growth, health, and happiness are prioritized through robust development plans, comprehensive wellbeing services, and unwavering support.

This is a truly exceptional opportunity to step into a pivotal leadership role where your expertise will directly shape and elevate global healthcare communications. You will be instrumental in driving operational excellence and ensuring stringent compliance for a large-scale, impactful global healthcare program. As the operational lead, you will influence the seamless execution of critical congress and meeting activities across multiple countries, setting the benchmark for industry standards. Your strategic vision will not only refine essential processes and manage intricate financial landscapes but also safeguard regulatory integrity, making a profound and tangible impact on how vital healthcare information is delivered worldwide.

What You’ll Do

• Own and maintain program processes, governance frameworks, and operating procedures to ensure optimal efficiency and compliance.
• Continuously develop and refine program processes, procedures, and best practices to drive operational excellence.
• Coordinate activities seamlessly across diverse workstreams, suppliers, and stakeholders, ensuring cohesive program delivery.
• Proactively monitor program health, identify potential risks, and meticulously track delivery milestones.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives, driving operational effectiveness across all facets of the program.
• Cultivate and maintain robust relationships with clients, suppliers, and internal teams, fostering a collaborative ecosystem.
• Ensure all programs operate in strict adherence to pharmaceutical industry requirements and applicable global healthcare regulations.
• Maintain comprehensive oversight of Transfer of Value (ToV), disclosure, and reporting requirements, upholding transparency.
• Embed critical compliance checkpoints throughout program workflows to proactively mitigate risks.
• Act as the primary escalation point for all compliance-related issues and risks, providing expert guidance and resolution.
• Support the strategic implementation of country-specific regulatory and industry code requirements.
• Maintain clear visibility of approval statuses, reporting obligations, and crucial compliance deadlines.
• Monitor workload, capacity, and resource requirements across different markets to ensure efficient allocation.
• Ensure the timely resolution of operational issues and bottlenecks, maintaining program momentum.
• Support the onboarding and strategic management of local vendors.
• Provide essential additional operational support during peak periods to sustain program velocity.
• Actively participate in delivery discussions, leveraging your extensive events and congress experience to resolve complex issues and guide teams.
• Support program budgeting, forecasting, and reconciliation activities with precision.
• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of program metrics, providing clear insights into performance.
• Lead critical review meetings and governance discussions, offering strategic insights and recommendations.
• Present comprehensive program status updates and strategic recommendations to leadership.

Must-Have Qualifications

• Proven background in healthcare events, congresses, or pharmaceutical program management.
• Strong knowledge of HCP engagement requirements, Transfer of Value (ToV) reporting, and pharmaceutical compliance frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying country-specific healthcare industry codes and regulations.
• Advanced Excel and spreadsheet management skills, including financial tracking, reporting, and reconciliation.
• Experience managing program budgets, forecasts, and supplier payment processes.
• Demonstrable experience developing and implementing operational processes, governance frameworks, and controls.
• Experience overseeing multiple concurrent programs or congress activities across different markets.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence internal teams, suppliers, and clients effectively.
• Highly analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and robust risk management capabilities.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Experience within a communications, events, or agency environment.

Client Description

Aquent is dedicated to improving inclusivity & is proudly an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from under-represented groups & are committed to providing support to applicants with disabilities. We aim to provide reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, to those with a medical condition, disability or neurodivergence.