Event Planner

JLL; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

JLL is seeking an experienced Event Planner to join our community engagement team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. You will translate our engagement strategy into on-ground experiences, manage end-to-end planning, and ensure events align with brand standards and local regulations.

The role requires 5–7 years of event planning, strong vendor negotiation, budgeting skills, and fluent English with Arabic a plus. On-site leadership and cross-functional collaboration are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of event planning experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in Saudi Arabia or GCC countries.
• Experience planning family-oriented and community events.

Responsibilities

• Translate community engagement objectives into event plans and concepts.
• Develop proposals with themes, layouts, timelines, and budgets.
• Create run-of-show, floor plans and production schedules.
• Design family-friendly experiences for diverse residents.
• Source, negotiate with vendors and manage contracts.
• Coordinate logistics, permits, insurance and safety plans.
• Lead on-site during events and conduct post-event evaluations.
• Collaborate with marketing on promotional materials.

Skills

Event planning

Vendor management

Budget management

Arabic/English bilingual

Microsoft Office

Event management software

Creative concepting

Negotiation

On-site coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing

Tools

Eventbrite

Cvent

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way.

Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

Pre-requisites:

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, or related field
• Minimum 5-7 years of event planning experience
• Minimum 3 years of experience in Saudi Arabia or GCC countries
• Experience planning family-oriented and community events

Job Description:

JLL is seeking a detail-oriented and creative Event Planner to join our community engagement team at a prestigious mixed-use compound in Saudi Arabia. This role is crucial in translating the community engagement strategy into exceptional on-ground experiences that delight residents and strengthen community bonds.

The Event Planner will be responsible for the end-to-end planning and coordination of compound events, from initial concept development through post-event evaluation. The ideal candidate combines strong organizational skills with creative flair, cultural awareness, and the ability to bring event visions to life within budget and timeline constraints.

Key Responsibilities:

• Translate strategic community engagement objectives into detailed event plans and concepts.
• Develop comprehensive event proposals including themes, activities, layouts, timelines, and budget estimates.
• Create detailed run-of-show documents, floor plans, and production schedules for all events.
• Design culturally appropriate and family-friendly event experiences suitable for diverse resident demographics.
• Ensure all event concepts align with compound brand standards and community values.
• Plan seasonal celebrations (Eid festivals, National Day, Ramadan activities, Back-to-School, etc.)
• Develop contingency plans for weather-related or other unforeseen circumstances.
• Source, evaluate, and select vendors including caterers, entertainers, decorators, equipment suppliers, and service providers.
• Negotiate contracts and service agreements ensuring competitive pricing and quality standards.
• Manage vendor relationships and serve as primary point of contact during event preparation and execution.
• Conduct site visits and vendor briefings to ensure understanding of requirements and expectations
• Oversee vendor setup, operations, and breakdown during events.
• Evaluate vendor performance post-event and maintain preferred vendor database
• Coordinate all logistical elements including venue setup, furniture, audio-visual equipment, décor, signage, and materials.
• Arrange necessary permits, approvals, and insurance requirements from compound management and external authorities.
• Prepare detailed event budgets with line-item breakdowns for management approval.
• Track event expenses in real-time and maintain accurate financial records.
• Identify cost‑saving opportunities without compromising quality or resident experience.
• Prepare post-event financial reconciliations and variance reports.
• Collaborate with marketing team to develop event promotional materials and campaigns.
• Ensure all events comply with Saudi regulations, cultural guidelines, and compound policies.
• Maintain proper documentation including permits, insurance certificates, and safety plans.
• Oversee event setup and conduct final walk-throughs before events commence.
• Serve as on-site event lead during execution, managing timeline and troubleshooting issues.
• Conduct post-event evaluations including resident feedback collection and analysis.
• Prepare comprehensive event reports documenting outcomes, attendance, budget performance, and lessons learned.

The candidate must demonstrate excellent communication skills in English (written and verbal) and strong interpersonal abilities, as this role requires regular coordination with diverse stakeholders including residents, vendors, event agencies, internal departments (security, facilities, marketing), and community partners to ensure successful event execution.

The candidate will be required to perform all functions and responsibilities of the role, which may not always be expressly mentioned in the Clients contract but would be deemed necessary for the proper performance of services and the carrying out of activities for the effective and efficient management of the property in accordance with good industry protocols and any applicable best international standards and codes of practice.

Key Experience:

• Proven experience planning and executing community events, festivals, and family activities in Saudi Arabia or similar cultural contexts
• Track record managing events ranging from intimate gatherings (50-100 people) to large-scale community festivals (500+ attendees)
• Experience working with Saudi vendors, suppliers, and service providers
• Knowledge of Saudi permit requirements and regulatory compliance for events
• Experience managing event budgets ranging from small-scale to large-scale events across various budget tiers
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple events simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail
• Experience with both indoor and outdoor event setups in compound or community settings

Skills Required:

• Event planning and project management
• Vendor management and negotiation
• Budget management and financial tracking
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Problem-solving and decision-making under pressure
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel for budgets, PowerPoint for proposals, Word for documentation)
• Experience with event management software (Eventbrite, Cvent, or similar platforms)
• Knowledge of event design software (preferred but not required)
• Excellent communication skills in English (Arabic conversational ability is a plus)
• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail
• Creative mindset with ability to develop engaging event concepts
• Flexibility and adaptability in fast‑paced, changing environments
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team

Location: On‑site –Riyadh, SAU

At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you’re pursuing.

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