Head of Events

ABC Worldwide (AKA BRIP Careers Worldwide); Wes-Kaap; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A global events management firm is seeking a Head of Events to lead their Events and Account Management team. This role emphasizes operational excellence, client relationship management, and team collaboration. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in events management and a strong background in account management, supported by exceptional communication skills and strategic thinking.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in events management and account management.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills for managing diverse teams.
• Strategic and analytical thinker with data utilization.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Events and Account Management team.
• Ensure client queries are resolved promptly and professionally.
• Maintain budgets and ensure financial deadlines are met.

Skills

Event management

Account management

Interpersonal skills

Data analysis

Financial management

Tools

CRM software

Financial tools

Time tracking platforms (TMetric)

Job description

Job Description:

As Head of events you will take ownership and accountability for leading and coordinating Events and Account Management team, ensuring continued operational excellence, seamless client management, and team performance.

This role requires you to maintain high standards of professional conduct and clientrelations, with an emphasis on team cohesion, detailed project management, and proactive strategic collaboration with internal departments, particularly Operations and Sales.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Management:

• Manage the Operations and Experiential team daily, ensuring optimal productivity, collaboration, and morale.

• Clearly assign roles and responsibilities to each team member, aligned with individual strengths.

• Regularly monitor team workflow, meeting productivity targets and deadlines consistently.

• Inspire, train, and proactively upskill your team, promoting continuous professional development.

• Escalate critical issues promptly and appropriately to EXCO.

Client Relationship & Account Continuity:

• Act as a senior point of escalation, ensuring client queries and concerns are resolved promptly and professionally.

• Maintain and nurture strong client relationships through regular communications, meetings, and check-ins.

• Proactively collaborate with the Sales team to ensure seamless transitions from sales to operational execution.

• Notify the Sales team of opportunities for cross-selling and portfolio growthwithin current client accounts.

• Regularly monitor and strategically plan client event calendars to anticipate and meet client needs effectively.

Operational Excellence & Quality Assurance:

• Regularly visit event sites and attend client meetings to ensure high execution standards.

• Ensure the team adheres strictly to turnaround times:

• Ball-park cost estimates within 24-hour turnaround for smaller-scale events.

• Ball-park cost estimates within 48-hour turnaround for larger-scale events.

• Manage budgets rigorously, maintain minimum project margins, and ensurefinancial deadlines are consistently met.

• Work closely with suppliers, confidently negotiating best rates and terms,maintaining BLEND’s standards and profitability targets.

• Ensure BLEND’s payment terms are clearly communicated and strictly upheld with clients.

Strategic Input & Communication:

• Regularly update the Managing Director regarding team status,account performance, and strategic insights.

• Conduct comprehensive post-mortems after each event, continually refining and improving team and project processes.

• Regularly deliver team training, internal communication sessions, and trend briefings to maintain relevance and effectiveness.

Brand Alignment & Professionalism:

• Maintain and enhance brand perception professionally and privately.

• Engage proactively with digital presence, including social media interactions (reshares, likes, professional comments).

• Ensure strict adherence to core values, brand principles, and professional standards.

• Always dress professionally and appropriately, ready for impromptu client meetings.

• Answer all calls with standard company greeting.

Sales Collaboration & Business Growth:

• Positively contribute to the sales-to-event delivery process, ensuring alignment and clarity.

• Actively participate in strategy sessions regarding the company pipeline and targetclient lists.

• Provide detailed, meaningful feedback to sales leads after event/project completion.

• Assist planning teams proactively to optimise every client touchpoint, supporting excellent client experiences.

• Seek continuous opportunities to expand the footprint within existing clients’ departments or geographical locations.

Trends, Analytics & Creativity:

• Stay current with market trends, competitors, and new innovations in the events and experiential marketing sector.

• Leverage data, analytics, and client insights to drive informed decisions and strategic recommendations.

• Ensure the entire team tracks accurate data for analysis and improvement.

• Drive creativity and innovation in client campaigns and internal initiatives,ensuring brand-aligned ideas are proposed and effectively executed.

• Proactively pitch creative initiatives and ideas to internal stakeholders.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience in events management, account management, and experiential marketing leadership roles.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills; able to manage diverse teams and build strong client relationships.

• Clear and confident communicator; comfortable presenting internally and externally.

• Strategic, analytical thinker able to leverage data for growth and improvements.

• Financial acumen; proven experience managing event budgets, project margins, and supplier negotiations.

• Demonstrated ability to deliver under pressure, maintaining professionalism and quality standards.

• Familiarity with CRM, financial tools, and time tracking platforms (TMetric or similar).

• Solid understanding of client sectors (Tech, Finance, Luxury Brands,etc) and markets (Africa).

Professional Attributes & Expectations:

• Impeccable professional conduct, consistently upholding brand image.

• A proactive problem solver with the ability to swiftly escalate critical issues.

• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple client accounts simultaneously.

• Self-motivated individual who continually seeks improvement and maintains aproactive mindset.

• Always responsive and proactive with internal communications and client responses.