Event Manager

Recruitment Matters Africa (Pvt) Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading events management firm in Johannesburg is seeking a Head of Events to shape and execute their events strategy. The role includes overseeing high-impact events, managing budgets, and providing strategic insights to leadership. Ideal candidates have over 5 years of experience and strong leadership skills. This position has the potential to significantly influence brand engagement and stakeholder relationships.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in event management or relevant field.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Ability to manage high-stakes events and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute the organization’s events strategy.
• Oversee large-scale, high-impact events and portfolios.
• Provide strategic insights and reports to senior leadership.

Skills

Event planning and execution

Strategic leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Performance measurement

Job description

Overview

Our client is seeking a Head of Events who will be a strategic leader responsible for shaping and executing the organization’s events strategy to drive brand strength, culture, and stakeholder engagement.

Key Recipients of Work: Events, Public Relations, and Marketing teams

Primary Objective:

• Provide direction and oversight across the full events portfolio while developing and empowering a high-performing team.
• Ensure every event contributes to the broader business objectives, reputation, industry awareness, and growth ambitions.
• Deliver events that perform beyond operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Development:

• Define and implement the medium to long-term events strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Translate business priorities into a cohesive annual events roadmap balancing innovation, impact, and ROI.
• Provide strategic advice to leadership on event opportunities that strengthen brand positioning, client engagement, and market differentiation.
• Lead, inspire, and develop the events team, setting clear objectives and fostering professional growth.
• Build and maintain strong senior stakeholder relationships, acting as a trusted advisor for all event-related matters.

Event Portfolio Oversight:

• Oversee planning and execution of large-scale, high-impact events.
• Set standards for event design, guest experience, and stakeholder outcomes, ensuring consistency, quality, and brand alignment.
• Approve budgets, negotiate contracts, and monitor financial performance to ensure measurable ROI.
• Introduce innovative event concepts, technologies, and formats.
• Ensure operational excellence in logistics, compliance, and on-site management.

Performance, Measurement & Innovation:

• Establish KPIs and success measures for all events; report on ROI, outcomes, and lessons learned.
• Lead post-event evaluations and stakeholder debriefs to continuously improve delivery.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and improvement within the events team.

Event Management & Oversight:

• Provide strategic leadership for the annual events calendar, ensuring alignment with business, stakeholder, and client objectives.
• Oversee the end-to-end event process: concept development, budgeting, planning, logistics, execution, and evaluation.
• Review and approve event plans and budgets prepared by the team.
• Champion innovation in formats, delivery methods, and engagement approaches to elevate impact and attendee experience.
• Ensure operational excellence in logistics and proactively manage risks.

Financial Management & Supplier Oversight:

• Own the events budget with accurate forecasting, cost control, and financial accountability.
• Oversee preparation and management of event costings; review and approve budgets.
• Lead supplier and vendor relations to secure competitive pricing, quality service, and favorable terms.
• Monitor and report on event expenditure, highlighting efficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Provide guidance on balancing financial discipline with creativity and innovation.

Reporting & Strategic Insights:

• Provide regular reports to senior leadership on event performance, budgets, ROI, and alignment to strategic objectives.
• Analyse event data, financial performance, and attendee feedback to inform future strategies.
• Represent the events function in operational and leadership meetings, maintaining transparency and proactive decision-making.
• Maintain a dashboard of event metrics for ongoing monitoring and executive review.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Engage internal stakeholders to clarify event objectives and align outcomes with business priorities.
• Represent the events function at senior leadership level, providing strategic insights and updates.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination across departments to maintain a seamless stakeholder experience.

Governance & Compliance:

• Ensure all events comply with health, safety, legal, and insurance requirements.
• Uphold organizational values and leadership principles, embedding them in team behaviors and event delivery.
• Oversee governance processes, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and integrity across all events.

Behavioural Expectations

• Demonstrate professionalism and respect in interactions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead by example in alignment with organizational values: Inspire, Innovate, Improve.
• Inspire: Motivate creativity and enthusiasm within the team and among stakeholders.
• Innovate: Encourage experimentation, embrace change, and seek new solutions.
• Improve: Continuously refine processes, enhance skills, and pursue excellence.

Communication:

• Collaborate effectively with various departments to ensure timely and clear communication.

Leadership:

• Exhibit strong leadership attributes consistently across all aspects of work.