Head Of Event Management And Operations, EMEA (london - based)

Head of Event Management and Operations, EMEA

Opus Agency is a future-forward full-service global event agency with over 400 team members in the United States, London, Sydney, Singapore, and New Zealand. Our portfolio of clients includes world-shaping brands such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and many others. As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, our profound opportunity is to shape the future of events in an increasingly AI-infused world. In an era where digital interactions often dominate, the authenticity of real-world connections will become paramount. Events will emerge as the #1 priority for CMOs, driving brand success and fostering deep, meaningful relationships with audiences.

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to join our London office as Head of Event Management and Operations for the EMEA region. This role offers a unique opportunity for someone with deep expertise in B2B events, experiential marketing, and agency-side client leadership. This role offers tremendous potential for career advancement and executive skill development—it also requires a sleeves-rolled-up approach in the initial years.

As a hands-on contributor, you will oversee the successful delivery of projects, ensuring client satisfaction, driving repeat business, and supporting the growth of global accounts, EMEA-led accounts, and our UK-based team.

This individual will drive operational excellence, manage and mentor teams, and foster a high-performance culture while overseeing seamless onboarding, training, and talent development. They will coordinate team efforts, optimize processes, ensure compliance, and manage financials with a keen business sense. Additionally, they will drive success within a global agency structure that includes deep collaborations with our teams and clients in the US and APAC.

With an innovative mindset, they can connect abstract ideas, implement strategic plans, and navigate complex problem-solving. Exceptional communication and people skills enable them to influence and inspire internal and external stakeholders, providing clear guidance and promoting a collaborative, result-oriented atmosphere. This role requires a proactive and autonomous thinker committed to balancing profit with purpose, global alignment with regional soul, aligning with the company's strategic objectives, and ensuring a positive social and environmental impact.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and coach Event Management team leads to ensure top-tier client service and support their performance and professional growth.
• Manage and deliver complex B2B (95%) and B2C (5%) corporate events, brand activations, and experiential marketing programs within an agency setting.
• Design, evolve, and optimize team structures to support growth, cross-region alignment, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Drive operational excellence by coordinating team efforts, optimizing processes, ensuring compliance, and managing financials with strong business acumen.
• Foster a high-performance culture that prioritizes talent development, onboarding, and continuous learning.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and ensure exceptional client experiences.
• Navigate complex problem-solving challenges with a proactive and innovative mindset, connecting abstract ideas and implementing strategic plans.
• Promote a collaborative, result-oriented atmosphere while balancing profit with purpose and ensuring alignment with the company's values and strategic objectives.

You Should Have

• 10-15 years of experience in event planning, execution, experiential marketing, or brand activations, with 5-7+ years in agency-side client leadership roles.
• Proven ability to manage complex corporate events and deliver results for high-profile clients.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire internal and external stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to drive operational efficiency and a positive client experience.
• Passion for leading change and developing top-tier talent in a collaborative environment.

What You Can Expect in Return

• Full time position
• Opportunities for growth and development
• Health & dental insurance options
• London Bridge office with rooftop working and social spaces
• Hybrid/remote working flexibility
• Regular team social occasions
• Extended Bank holiday weekends in May and August
• Christmas and New Year period office closure

Not sure if you should apply? Studies show that those identifying as under-represented individuals might have talked themselves out of applying at this point. Don't worry about checking every single box. At Opus Agency, we are dedicated to building a versatile, inclusive team with a variety of backgrounds and a growth mindset - so if you're excited about this role, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every single item listed in this job description, we encourage you to apply. You may just be the right candidate for this role, or we may have other roles that better align with your skillset.

Individuals will be required to sit for the majority of the day and may be required to stand as needed. May require ability to ambulate primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day. Individuals may be required to travel via airplane, train, taxi, car and/or other means of transportation, as needed.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the employee/candidate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship. This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Opus Agency does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.