Event Manager, Guest Experience (Accommodation & Logistics focus)

We Are 54; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports and entertainment agency is seeking an Event Manager with a focus on accommodation and logistics. The successful candidate will manage logistical elements for large-scale sports events, including sourcing and negotiating hotel contracts and developing transport plans. The role requires excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work under tight deadlines. This position offers a competitive salary along with a discretionary annual bonus and additional benefits.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Annual Discretionary Company Bonus up to 8%

Pension scheme

30 days annual leave plus public holidays

Increased annual leave with years of service

Staff clothing

Working hours from 09:00 to 17:30

Qualifications

• Proven experience in delivering logistical elements across large-scale sports events.
• Willingness to travel and work remotely at times.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while working to tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage logistics for large-scale sports events internationally.
• Lead the planning and delivery of accommodation and transport logistics.
• Develop detailed accommodation matrices and coordinate requirements.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Great attention to detail

Excellent organisational and time management skills

Quick decision-making skills

Excellent leadership and motivational skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Strong work ethic

Proficiency in project management tools

Ability to build strong working relationships

Arabic language skills

Tools

Microsoft Office/365

Monday.com

WeTrack

Job description

Event Manager, Guest Experience (Accommodation & Logistics focus)

Department: Events

Employment Type: Contract / Temp

Location: KSA

Description

ABOUT 54GROUP: 54 is a sports and entertainment agency operating across five regions and nine offices: United Kingdom (London), Europe (Sotogrande, Spain), MENA (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia & Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates), APAC (Singapore, Vietnam & Adelaide, Australia) and USA (West Palm Beach, Florida). It works with rights holders, governing bodies, developers, household brands and major investors who share its belief in the power of sport. 54 comprises three service areas each consisting of two divisions: Strategic Advisory (Consultancy and Data & Insights), Asset Optimisation (Operations and Commercial) and Activation & Engagement (Events and Marketing). At its core, the company has an unwavering belief in embracing the opportunities offered by pushing at the edges of conventional wisdom.

Since its inception, 54 has gained significant recognition for its rapid growth and innovation in the golf industry. The company was named the 4th and 12th fastest-growing company in the United Kingdom by the Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Additionally, 54 was ranked 171st in the Financial Times’ FT1000 list of the fastest-growing companies in Europe in 2021 and has been honoured five times consecutively as ‘Golf Business of the Year’ at the World Golf Awards, most recently in November 2024.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

The Event Manager sits within the Guest Experience team of 54’s Events Division. The role will report to a Guest Experience Director and/or Senior Manager and have responsibility for leading on the planning and delivery of logistical elements on large-scale sports events internationally within our golf events portfolio for clients such as LIV Golf & Golf Saudi.

54’s Guest Experience team is responsible for delivering most of the front-facing elements of the events: for fans and spectators, VIP guests, players and tournament teams. We curate the experience for all we look after and ensure excellence in delivery.

The Event Manager, Accommodation & Logistics should have experience in delivering logistical elements across large-scale events, ideally within the world of sports. They must be willing to travel and work remotely at times, boast strong personal motivation, excellent communication skills, attention to detail and has the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while working to tight deadlines.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Report to and support the Guest Experience Senior Manager/ Director and the wider Event delivery team
• Sourcing, negotiating and contracting hotels for different groups including but not limited to players, staff, suppliers, VIPs & volunteers
• Ensure compliance with budgets making sure to negotiate the best rates with consideration to cancellation policies and attrition rates
• Make sure that minimum service standards are adhered to and delivered
• Develop and maintain detailed accommodation matrices coordination room types, check in/check out dates and any special requirements where applicable
• Lease with internal teams & departments to align on accommodation needs
• Be the lead contact both within the planning and live dates for any accommodation issues or changes and be able to act accordingly
• Manage all check in/check outs with the hotel(s)
• Source and manage transport suppliers
• Build and implement transport plans for airport transfers, courtesy car services, bus shuttles and any additional requests
• Ensure routes are mapped with the contracted transport supplier
• Ensure the service standards are adhered to and that all drivers are briefed in line with these standards
• Make sure that all vehicles are correctly numbered and branded throughout the event delivery
• Manage tournament Pro-Am & other special event requirements
• Develop supporting documentation and information
• Communicate clear client status updates

SPECIAL SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/APTITUDES NEEDED:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Great attention to detail
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Quick decision-making skills
• Excellent leadership and motivational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• The ability to build strong working relationships across all levels of the business
• Strong work ethic with the ability to work unsupervised
• A team player with a collaborative and can-do attitude, strong interpersonal skills and ability to build strong working relationships
• Be a servant leader, not afraid to roll your sleeves up and help stakeholders where needed
• Proficiency in project management tools such as Monday.com & WeTrack, presentation software and Microsoft Office/ 365 suite including Excel & Sharepoint
• Arabic language skills advantageous

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

• Competitive Salary
• Annual Discretionary Company Bonus – up to 8% - 3% Company & 5% Individual
• Pension scheme
• 30 days annual leave (+ public holidays), pro-rated & Birthday off
• Increased annual leave with years of service
• Staff clothing
• Working hours will be from 09.00 to 17.30 with an hour taken for lunch between 12.00 and 14.00