Senior Event Delivery Manager

Informa PLC; Bu; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global event company in the UK seeks a skilled Event Operations Lead to oversee major tech events. This role involves coordinating venue activities, managing budgets, and ensuring customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate has a strong background in event logistics, leadership experience, and a commitment to sustainability practices. Benefits include 25 days annual leave, career development opportunities, and a dynamic workplace culture that fosters collaboration and inclusion.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Career development opportunities

Flexible personal benefits

ShareMatch scheme

Wellbeing support programs

Qualifications

• Proven expertise in managing project activity with time management skills.
• Experience in outsourcing/shared-service governance and delivery.
• Demonstrable leadership experience in event operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Event Operations team for venue and production activities.
• Manage communications with service providers and coordination of logistics.
• Ensure all operational efforts align with the event sustainability plan.

Skills

Tech savvy

Analytical & problem-solving capability

Strong customer-experience focus

Collaboration and communication skills

Tools

Event automation tools

Job description

This role will be based in our 240 Blackfriars London office. The Event Operations team for Tech Events at Informa Connect and Informa Festivals is the backbone of our world‑class technology event portfolio, ensuring flawless execution of premier B2B events that connect technology professionals across the globe. Our team manages the operational excellence behind major tech industry gatherings like London Tech Week, Black Hat and Africa Tech Festival. Be the architect of unforgettable moments that professionals talk about long after the event ends. Your attention to detail will orchestrate flawless experiences where careers advance, deals close, and industries evolve.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Event Operations team assigned to an event, executing venue, contractor, production and food & beverage activities.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert for one or more event delivery fulfillment disciplines such as conference, exhibition or sponsorship fulfillment.
• In conjunction with the Event Delivery Lead, develop annual event budgets, monthly forecasts, actual spend, cost savings and ROI, and ensure implementation and adherence to each.
• Manage the communication workflow to all service providers (electrical, internet, venue services, decorator services, audio‑visual, etc.), consult team members, review documents and identify any conflicts; be responsible for the event production timeline and plan of action to ensure profit margin.
• Handle the communication workflow for graphic/sign orders, including collection of content, submission, editing, approval of signage proofs and onsite placement/removal. Communicate approved design concepts to all necessary team members to ensure consistency.
• Create event floor plans to ensure efficient use of space, proper traffic flow and compliance with safety and facility requirements. Maintain accurate master event drawings of all event spaces, including sponsor signage opportunities, show‑management room sets and classroom sets.
• Collaborate with the Event Marketing team and vendors to organize and enhance outbound communications to attendees and exhibitors via event website, emails and webinars.
• Collaborate with the AV vendor to ensure budgetary compliance and maximum value, including identifying potential areas of overtime.
• Work with registration to coordinate exhibitor and attendee registration, including advance and onsite registration, lead retrieval systems, staffing, etc.
• Work with the event delivery team to ensure all technology is set up and functional; provide computers, internet, wireless, iPad stands, charging stations, etc.
• Manage communications with internal and external customers to ensure issues are discussed and resolved.
• Ensure assigned event teams (internal and external) understand the event sustainability plan, including effective sustainability initiatives to reduce or reuse, and involve community engagement through local non‑profit beneficiaries. Complete and post event sustainability tracking documents in a timely manner post event.
• Train, supervise and evaluate assigned cross‑functional event operations teams.
• Interact with Event Production and Marketing, Event Sales and Sales Operations, Market Pillars, Finance & Accounts Payable, Registration, Procurement and Housing, Technology Operations, Customers (Delegates, Exhibitors and Sponsors), Extended Staff (Temporary Staff, Volunteers, Speakers, Review Boards, VIP Boards) and 3rd Party Suppliers.
• Scheduled assignments are based on business needs.

Qualifications & Experience

• Tech savvy, willingness to adopt and embrace new technologies.
• Experience in outsourcing/shared‑service governance and delivery.
• Analytical & problem‑solving capability.
• Solid understanding of the use of data in decision making.
• Experience with event automation tools, platforms and knowledge.
• Negotiation and management of suppliers.
• Strong customer‑experience focus and proven leadership track record in event operations.
• An influential leader able to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
• Building and maintaining relationships and understanding customer needs.
• Managing stakeholders internally and externally.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills (written, verbal, presentation).
• Prior experience establishing a shared‑service operation.
• Proven expertise in managing project activity, ability to prioritise and manage time efficiently.
• Demonstrable experience leading and managing a team of operational colleagues.
• Change leadership – leading colleagues and team in a rapidly changing environment.

Company Overview

We’re part of Informa, a global business with a network of trusted brands in specialist markets across more than 30 countries, and a member of the FTSE 100. Our purpose is to connect our customers to information and people that help them know more, do more and be more. We run around 800 events each year, create digital platforms based on engaging news and information content, and operate professional development programmes for individuals and businesses. We work hard to make sure Life at Informa is rewarding, supportive and enjoyable for everyone.

Benefits

• Great community: a welcoming culture with in‑person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World charity day and active diversity and inclusion networks.
• Broader impact: take up to four days per year to volunteer, with charity match funding available too.
• Career opportunity: the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms and on‑demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning. When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves.
• Time out: 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after two years, plus a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year.
• A flexible range of personal benefits to choose from, plus company‑funded private medical cover.
• A ShareMatch scheme that allows you to become an Informa shareholder with free matching shares.
• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, a healthy living subsidy, access to health apps and more.
• Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programmes.
• As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world.