Senior Operations Manager

Reed Specialist Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel and accommodation for events

Job summary

Reed Specialist Recruitment in London is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to lead the Operations team and deliver around 200 live events annually across the UK. The role combines strategic planning with hands-on site leadership to ensure safety, efficiency, and high standards.

You will manage a team of direct reports, coordinate with clients and stakeholders, and oversee workforce planning including casual staff for evenings, weekends, and travel as required.

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering large-scale live events.
• Background in festivals, venues, exhibitions, sporting events, or similar environments.
• Proven ability to manage large teams, including casual or seasonal workers.
• Strong stakeholder and client management skills.
• Excellent planning and organisational abilities.
• Hands-on leadership style and ability to work under pressure.
• Good understanding of health and safety procedures.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the Operations Department, managing a team of direct reports.
• Lead the planning and on-site delivery of events, ensuring safety, efficiency and high standards.
• Manage multiple stakeholders, operational teams, and large-scale projects in a fast-paced live events environment.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Oversee workforce planning, deployment, and management of casual event staff.
• Prepare operational plans, event briefings, and logistics documentation.
• Maintain high standards of health, safety, and operational compliance.
• Support staff development, retention, and progression across the wider workforce.

Skills

Large-scale events

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Health & safety

Operations planning

Client management

On-site delivery

Driving licence

Job description

Senior Operations Manager

Annual Salary: £50,000 - £60,000

Location: London & UK Events

Job Type: Full-timeAre you an experienced events professional who thrives in fast-paced environments and has a track record of delivering large-scale live events? If you're looking for a role where you can take ownership, lead a team and play a key part in the delivery of major events across the UK, we'd love to hear from you.

Join a leading specialist events organisation as a Senior Operations Manager, where you will play a pivotal role in the delivery of major events across the UK. This role offers the opportunity to lead the Operations team and oversee the successful execution of around 200 events annually, including large-scale festivals, music events, and major public gatherings.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Take ownership of the Operations Department, managing a team of direct reports.
• Lead the planning and on-site delivery of events, ensuring they are executed safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.
• Manage multiple stakeholders, operational teams, and large-scale projects in a fast-paced live events environment.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Oversee workforce planning, deployment, and management of casual event staff.
• Prepare operational plans, event briefings, and logistics documentation.
• Maintain high standards of health, safety, and operational compliance.
• Support staff development, retention, and progression across the wider workforce.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Significant experience in delivering large-scale live events.
• Background in festivals, venues, exhibitions, sporting events, or similar environments.
• Proven ability to manage large teams, including casual or seasonal workforces.
• Strong stakeholder and client management skills.
• Excellent planning and organisational abilities.
• A hands-on leadership style with the ability to work under pressure.
• Good understanding of health and safety procedures.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Flexible approach to working evenings, weekends, and travelling when required.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work on a diverse range of high-profile events.
• Direct exposure to senior leadership and decision-making.
• Long-term career progression opportunities.
• Annual salary reviews.
• Travel and accommodation provided for events outside of London.