Event Planner

JLL; Riyadh Region; On-site; SAR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

JLL is seeking a detail-oriented Event Planner to join our community engagement team at a prestigious mixed-use compound in Saudi Arabia. You will translate the community engagement strategy into on-ground experiences that delight residents and strengthen bonds while managing end-to-end planning within budget and schedule constraints.

The role requires strong organizational skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to develop concepts, vendor proposals, and run-of-show documents for diverse

Qualifications

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

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, family-friendly event experiences for diverse resident demographics.
• Ensure concepts align with compound brand standards and community values.
• Plan seasonal celebrations (Eid, National Day, Ramadan, Back-to-School).
• Develop contingency plans for weather-related or 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.
• Manage vendor relationships and act as primary contact during event prep and execution.
• Conduct site visits and vendor briefings to ensure understanding of requirements.
• Oversee vendor setup, operations, and breakdown during events.
• Evaluate vendor performance post-event and maintain vendor database.
• Coordinate logistics including venue setup, furniture, AV, décor, signage, and materials.
• Arrange permits, approvals, and insurance requirements.
• Prepare detailed event budgets with line-item breakdowns for management approval.
• Track event expenses in real-time and maintain records.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising resident experience.
• Prepare post-event financial reconciliations and variance reports.
• Collaborate with marketing to develop event promotional materials and campaigns.
• Ensure events comply with Saudi regulations and compound policies.
• Maintain permits, insurance certificates, and safety plans.
• Oversee event setup and conduct final walk-throughs.
• Serve as on-site event lead during execution, managing timeline and troubleshooting.
• Conduct post-event evaluations including resident feedback and analysis.
• Prepare comprehensive event reports documenting outcomes, attendance, budget, and lessons learned.

Skills

Event planning

Vendor management

Budget management

Cultural awareness

Problem solving

Excel

Event management software

Event design software

English proficiency

Arabic language

Organizational skills

Creativity

Adaptability

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Event Management

Tools

Event management software

Cvent

Eventbrite

Job description

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.

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
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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