Senior operations manager VIV

Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

Pension scheme

Collective bonus scheme (up to 5%)

Commission scheme (up to 2.5 monthly)

Laptop and smartphone (€850 budget)

Job summary

Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs is seeking a senior operations manager for the VIV portfolio in Utrecht, the Netherlands. You will lead end-to-end operational delivery of international exhibitions, ensuring on-time execution within budget and in line with high safety standards.

In this hands-on role you will coordinate internal teams with venues, contractors and exhibitors, translate concepts into actionable plans, drive improvements across regions and be willing to travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior event operations management, preferably in international exhibitions or trade shows.
• Strong expertise in venue management, stand construction, and supplier coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, large-scale projects across multiple stakeholders.
• Commercial mindset with experience managing budgets and identifying upsell opportunities.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail under pressure.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional teams.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel internationally.
• Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end operational planning and execution of international exhibitions and events, from build‑up and live event to breakdown
• Translate event concepts into detailed operational plans, timelines and budgets, while advising on the feasibility of new concepts, features and revenue opportunities
• Manage and optimise relationships with venues, contractors and key suppliers, including stand construction, pavilions and onsite services
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and regulatory requirements across regions, supported by an integrated risk analysis framework
• Collaborate closely with event managers, sales and marketing to deliver seamless, integrated event experiences
• Monitor budgets, control costs and identify efficiencies while maintaining quality
• Lead the operations team and continuously improve operational performance through optimised processes, systematic guidelines and best practices

Skills

Senior event ops

Venue management

Stand construction

Supplier coordination

Budget management

Upsell opportunities

Leadership

Communication

Travel internationally

English fluency

Job description

About VIV

VIV is the flagship brand of VNU Europe Exhibitions (the international branch of Royal Jaarbeurs) and caters to the international agrifood sector. The brand is an absolute leader internationally in the field of livestock farming and protein production across species.

Job Description

About VIV

VIV is the flagship brand of VNU Europe Exhibitions (the international branch of Royal Jaarbeurs) and caters to the international agrifood sector. The brand is an absolute leader internationally in the field of livestock farming and protein production across species.

Our international trade shows include VIV Europe, VIV Asia, VIV MEA, VIV Africa, and the national editions like VIV Select China, VIV Select Türkiye and the recently launched VIV Select India. You can find a full overview of the portfolio on the website.

The VNU team in Utrecht consists of 17 colleagues, and is an international, multicultural, and dynamic team. You will also work closely with the team at the VNU office in Bangkok.

About The Role

As senior operations manager, you are responsible for the end-to-end operational delivery of international exhibitions and events within the VIV portfolio. You ensure that every event is executed seamlessly, on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and safety.

This function is part of the AgriFood management team and as operations department head you act as the central link between internal teams, suppliers, venues, and exhibitors—translating strategic concepts into operational reality. This is a senior, hands‑on role requiring strong leadership, commercial awareness, and the ability to manage complexity across multiple markets.

What You Will Do

• Lead the end-to-end operational planning and execution of international exhibitions and events, from build‑up and live event to breakdown
• Translate event concepts into detailed operational plans, timelines and budgets, while advising on the feasibility of new concepts, features and revenue opportunities
• Manage and optimise relationships with venues, contractors and key suppliers, including stand construction, pavilions and onsite services
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and regulatory requirements across regions, supported by an integrated risk analysis framework
• Collaborate closely with event managers, sales and marketing to deliver seamless, integrated event experiences
• Monitor budgets, control costs and identify efficiencies while maintaining quality
• Lead the operations team and continuously improve operational performance through optimised processes, systematic guidelines and best practices

What we offer

At Jaarbeurs you will have the space to do your work with joy and fulfilment and to continue growing as a professional. Our culture is open and informal and collaboration and innovation are key. It is our ambition to become Europe’s most sustainable event organisor by 2030. So we invite you to join us in making real impact.

• A monthly salary up to €5,400 based on a 40-hour work week, depending on your experience
• 8% holiday allowance, a pension scheme, and participation in a collective company bonus scheme (up to 5%)
• Participation in the commission scheme (1 monthly salary at OTE and up to 2.5 monthly salaries)
• A laptop and smartphone (up to €850 budget)

Working at Jaarbeurs

For over 105 years, Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs has been creating meaningful connections. In the heart of Utrecht, we connect people, markets and ideas, both physically and digitally. With over 350 colleagues, we are building towards our ambition: Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs organises and facilitates live events that create valuable connections in a digital world, inspire and empower people, and enable a lasting impact. Would you like to know more about working at Jaarbeurs? Then take a look at our About Us page.

What You Bring

• Proven experience in senior event operations management, preferably in international exhibitions or trade shows
• Strong expertise in venue management, stand construction, and supplier coordination
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, large-scale projects across multiple stakeholders
• Commercial mindset with experience managing budgets and identifying upsell opportunities
• Excellent organisational and problem‑solving skills, with attention to detail under pressure
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and align cross‑functional teams
• Flexibility and willingness to travel internationally
• Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus

Please note that for this position it is required that you already work and live in the Netherlands. We will not provide a sponsorship.

An assessment (TMA) and reference check are part of the selection process for this position.