Event Operations Manager - APAC

Centellic; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 720,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Public holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Private medical and dental care

Wellbeing allowance

Work From Anywhere (10 days)

Job summary

Centellic in Hong Kong seeks an experienced Event Operations Manager to lead the planning and execution of paid-delegate B2B conferences across Asia Pacific. You will manage budgets, schedules and teams to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery with high-quality outcomes.

The role requires at least five years of hands-on event management experience, strong vendor negotiation skills, and the ability to collaborate across sales, editorial, sponsorship, marketing and production teams.

Qualifications

• At least five years’ experience with a strong, proven track record of independently managing and delivering high-quality paid-delegate B2B conferences.

Responsibilities

• Train and manage team members, supporting their development within the business.
• Take end-to-end operational ownership of a portfolio of paid-delegate B2B conferences and related events across Asia Pacific.
• Ensure all events are delivered effectively, efficiently and within the agreed budget.
• Create, maintain and manage detailed event plans, timelines and onsite schedules from initial planning through to post-event review.
• Forecast event costs, manage budgets and maintain accurate records of committed and actual spend.
• Source, negotiate and contract venues for conferences, dinners, drinks receptions, awards ceremonies and other event formats, signing off contracts within the agreed sign off level.
• Lead onsite delivery, including supplier briefings, team coordination, room and exhibition readiness, delegate flow and issue resolution.
• Lead the operational delivery of flagship events, including complex programmes and high-value supplier negotiations.
• Conduct post-event reviews with internal teams and suppliers, reporting on outcomes, lessons learned and opportunities for improvement.
• Experience of delivering events in Hong Kong and across Asia Pacific, with an understanding of regional venues, suppliers and working practices.

Skills

team management

budget management

vendor negotiation

stakeholder management

English fluency

travel willingness

Job description

Centellic stands at the center of the markets it serves, empowering organizations with indispensable data and insight to make critical decisions on growth, risk and opportunity.

Through proprietary data, deep market expertise and AI-enabled technology, our platforms are embedded in client workflows. That capability is underpinned by our events, which bring the market together to share perspective and deepen understanding of the issues shaping each sector. Together, they give organizations earlier visibility of emerging trends, and the clarity and confidence to act when decisions matter.

At Centellic, we’re a global intelligence and information services business, setting the standard for how critical business decisions are made.

Why Centellic?

At Centellic, we help our clients make better decisions, and our people are at the heart of that work. Every individual plays an important role in this, bringing curiosity and high standards to everything they do.

Those who thrive here take ownership, care deeply about their work and are committed to excellence. Standards are high because our people set them that way. And while we have decades of expertise, we are still growing, pushing and building something extraordinary.

Centellic’s advantage is our people and the culture we’ve created together. It’s an environment where individuality is encouraged, relationships are genuine, and there’s a strong sense of purpose in what we’re building together. Collaborative, respectful and driven, we take our work seriously without taking ourselves too seriously.

Based in Hong Kong, you will take ownership of a portfolio of paid-delegate B2B conferences and related events across Asia Pacific, managing each event from initial planning through to onsite delivery and post-event review. Reporting to the Director of Event Operations, you will work closely with internal teams, venues and suppliers to ensure every event is delivered effectively, efficiently and within the agreed budget.

Key Responsibilities

Train and manage team members, supporting their development within the business

Take end-to-end operational ownership of a portfolio of paid-delegate B2B conferences and related events across Asia Pacific

Ensure all events are delivered effectively, efficiently and within the agreed budget

Create, maintain and manage detailed event plans, timelines and onsite schedules from initial planning through to post-event review

Forecast event costs, manage budgets and maintain accurate records of committed and actual spend

Source, negotiate and contract venues for conferences, dinners, drinks receptions, awards ceremonies and other event formats, signing off contracts within the agreed sign off level

Support the operational delivery of exhibition and sponsor areas, including floorplans, stand requirements, exhibitor and sponsor communications, venue liaison, contractor schedules, build and breakdown

Produce and maintain all key event documentation, including timelines, contracts, travel plans, checklists, risk assessments and supplier details

Build effective working relationships with sponsors and exhibitors, ensuring operational commitments and deliverables are clearly understood and met

Work closely with sales, editorial, sponsorship, marketing, production and other departments to deliver the events schedule

Lead onsite delivery, including supplier briefings, team coordination, room and exhibition readiness, delegate flow and issue resolution

Troubleshoot issues from the office and onsite, remaining calm and decisive in a fast-paced environment

Lead the operational delivery of flagship events, including complex programmes and high-value supplier negotiations

Conduct post-event reviews with internal teams and suppliers, reporting on outcomes, lessons learned and opportunities for improvement

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

At least five years’ experience with a strong, proven track record of independently managing and delivering high-quality paid-delegate B2B conferences

Hands-on experience across the full event lifecycle, including venue sourcing, budgeting, supplier management, registration, production, onsite delivery and post-event review

Previous exposure to exhibitions, trade shows or sponsor-led event areas is strongly preferred, including an understanding of exhibitor requirements, stand build, contractor coordination and move-in/move-out schedules

Experience of delivering events in Hong Kong and across Asia Pacific, with an understanding of regional venues, suppliers and working practices

Experience of managing and developing team members

Highly organised, detail-focused and able to manage multiple events, competing priorities and tight deadlines

Strong commercial awareness, including confident budget management, forecasting, contract review and negotiation

Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder-management skills, with the confidence to communicate effectively with senior and C-level audiences

A practical, solutions-focused approach and the flexibility to travel and work outside standard hours during event delivery periods

Fluent written and spoken English is essential; Cantonese and/or Mandarin would be advantageous

Our people are our most valuable asset, as such, we offer a wide range of benefits to help ensure that all are supported.
We offer a rewarding and flexible role within an international, growing business, with opportunities for personal and professional development, alongside a competitive salary and benefits package including:

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25 days of annual leave + Public holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Private medical and dental care with BUPA

Wellbeing allowance HK$3480

10 days Work From Anywhere

We are committed to making our organisation an inclusive, respectful & engaging place to work with a culture shaped by our core values that promote equality, collaboration & respect in everything we do.