Senior Event Manager - Major Sporting Events

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement planning

Vacation time

Professional development

Hybrid work structure

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Event Manager to lead planning and execution of major sporting events across South Africa, with a focus on Port Elizabeth. The role requires 7+ years of experience, strong budgeting skills, and proven leadership in complex events.

This hybrid position blends on-site coordination with strategic planning and admin duties to deliver exceptional experiences for attendees and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field.
• 7+ years of proven experience in managing large-scale sporting or major public events.
• Demonstrable success in budget management, with experience handling significant event budgets.
• Excellent project management, leadership, and vendor negotiation skills.
• Based in Port Elizabeth or willing to commute.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end planning, budgeting, scheduling, logistics, and vendor management for major sporting events.
• Develop event plans, operational procedures, and contingency strategies.
• Manage budgets meticulously, ensuring targets are met and cost-saving opportunities are pursued.
• Coordinate with federations, venues, sponsors, government agencies, media, and security.
• Oversee on-site operations, including setup, staffing, attendee management, and troubleshooting.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, security, and licensing regulations.
• Manage event teams and volunteers, providing clear direction and support.
• Develop and implement effective marketing and communication plans for events.
• Conduct post-event analysis, including financial reconciliation and performance reviews.
• Build and maintain relationships with key suppliers and service providers.

Skills

Budget management

Project management

Vendor management

Negotiation

Communication

Leadership

Event planning

Risk assessment

Travel readiness

Event software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent sports and entertainment agency, is actively seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Senior Event Manager to spearhead the planning and execution of major sporting events across South Africa, with a primary focus on the Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape region. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional with a passion for sports and a proven ability to manage complex, large-scale events from conception to completion. The candidate will be responsible for all logistical, operational, and budgetary aspects, ensuring seamless delivery and exceptional experiences for attendees, athletes, and stakeholders. This Hybrid position combines on-site event coordination with strategic planning and administrative tasks, offering a flexible approach to managing significant sporting spectacles in and around Port Elizabeth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end planning, development, and execution of major sporting events, including budgeting, scheduling, logistics, and vendor management.
• Develop comprehensive event plans, operational procedures, and contingency strategies.
• Manage event budgets meticulously, ensuring financial targets are met and seeking cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
• Coordinate with various stakeholders, including sports federations, venues, sponsors, government agencies, media, and security personnel.
• Oversee all on-site event operations, including setup, staffing, attendee management, and troubleshooting.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, security, and licensing regulations.
• Manage and motivate event teams and volunteers, providing clear direction and support.
• Develop and implement effective marketing and communication plans for events.
• Conduct post-event analysis, including financial reconciliation and performance reviews, to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and service providers.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of proven experience in managing large-scale sporting or major public events.
• Demonstrable success in budget management, with experience handling significant event budgets.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities.
• Proficiency in event management software and standard office applications.
• Experience with risk assessment and management for live events.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and travel as required by event schedules.
• Must be based in or able to commute to Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, for required on-site responsibilities.

Benefits

• This role comes with a competitive salary, commensurate with extensive experience, and performance-based bonuses.
• The benefits package includes comprehensive health coverage, retirement planning options, and ample vacation time.
• Professional development opportunities, such as advanced event management certifications and industry conference attendance, are supported.
• The Hybrid work structure offers a dynamic balance between collaborative office work and focused remote execution.