Event Operations Director ARC

Event Operations Director Arc

About 54group:

54 is a sports and entertainment agency operating across five regions and eight offices: United Kingdom (London), Europe (Sotogrande, Spain), MENA (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia & Dubai, United Arab Emirates), APAC (Singapore & Adelaide, Australia) and USA (West Palm Beach, Florida & New York). It works with rights holders, governing bodies, household brands and major investors who share its belief in the power of sport. 54 comprises three service areas each consisting of two divisions: 1. Strategic Advisory (Consultancy and Data & Insights), 2. Asset Optimisation (Operations and Commercial), 3. Activation & Engagement (Events and Marketing). At its core, the company has an unwavering belief in embracing the opportunities offered by pushing at the edges of conventional wisdom to turn the improbable into the unignorable.

Role Overview:

The opportunity exists for a dynamic, motivated and experienced Event Operations Director to join the 54 team, to oversee the Event Operations for a newly contracted event. The candidate will be responsible for all aspects of the Operational delivery, including, liaison, budget and project management, operations, production and logistics. The desired candidate must boast extensive international event experience, strong personal motivation, demonstrate innovate and forward-thinking practices, and be comfortable working remotely as well as at the Company’s Offices. As a senior role in the 54 events division, the candidate must have extensive project management experience, with a track record of delivering multiple events successfully within tight and competitive deadlines. The candidate must be comfortable managing a variety of relationships and be able to travel and work in diverse environments and cultures.

Key Roles And Responsibilities:

The successful candidate must have strong expertise at a senior level with 5-10 years’ experience in the production of large-scale international events in the Middle East and globally, with a background that includes some major conference production. They should be a fluent Arabic and English speaker, ideally a Saudi national or Riyadh resident.

• Create and review key operational planning documents to ensure smooth and successful implementation and delivery across multiple projects
• Implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) relating to operational event delivery as required to ensure the event operates within 54’s Global Event Operations Framework
• Own & lead on event operations delivery and execution of specific allocated events
• Oversee the build, design and usage of key operational documents, including CAD Plans, Operational Schedules, Budgets and Logistics plans in line with 54 Event Operational standards
• Implement, oversee and always operate according to the Event Operations Safety & Risk Management System and within 54’s Event Operations Risk Management Standards
• Conduct regular meetings within the operations team on the event ensuring all key areas and specialties are aligned and delivering as required
• Directly oversee core operational deliverables and their teams for this event, in particular related to:
• Venue Coordination and Liaising
• Safety, Security, Traffic & VVIP/Protocol Management
• Signage and Branding
• Conference & Ceremonies Technical & Production Management
• Oversee and lead safe operations onsite, ensure the highest safety & security standards are always adhered to and that work is always conducted in a safe manner
• Drive world class, event operations standards in all aspects of delivery
• Proactively monitor, prosecute and report on event delivery, working with the Head of Event Operations to remedy issues before they occur.

Leadership & Co-ordination

• Be an excellent communicator and team player
• Liaise regularly with other departments to ensure alignment
• Contribute regularly, provide good insights and support in event planning meetings • Encourage and develop best-practice across the business
• Always create a positive team culture, providing support where required and creating clear development pathways for team members
• Lead a team of skilled professionals to deliver a wide range of activities ensuring high standards of engagements
• Act as a mentor, coach and support network for immediate and extended teams
• Must be willing to travel to oversee and/or support on international events

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Concise updates to the leadership team and stakeholders in a timely manner about event delivery and status
• Ensure project management tools are always used consistently and effectively
• Produce post event evaluations to inform and improve future events

Special Skills/Experience/Aptitude Needed:

• Be an excellent communicator and team player
• Have a passion for sport
• Accountable and a problem solver
• Respectful towards others
• Promotes trust and respect within the team
• Leads by example
• Flexible and adaptable
• Collaborative and a good contributor in a team setting
• Innovative thinker
• Proficient in Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Strong understanding of managing budgets and conducting RFP’s & RFQ’s
• Comfortable talking to stakeholders at all levels
• Valid driver’s license.
• Proficiency of AutoCAD would be an advantage

Salary And Benefits:

• Competitive Salary
• 33 days annual leave (+ public holidays), pro-rated
• Working hours will be from 09.00 to 17.30 Sunday to Thursday with an hour taken for lunch between 12.00 and 14.00

Contract Duration, Working Hours and Location

• The role is expected to commence as soon as possible and run until the last full week of February – allowing for post event administrative work to be completed; a period of approximately 6 months.
• The work is anticipated on a full-time basis, anchored around regular KSA office hours, but with a degree of flexibility to allow for occasional alignment with UK office hours or client calls with Asia.
• The working location is 54’s Riyadh office unless otherwise agreed, or onsite based at Riyadh Digital City during the event live phase (first two weeks of February). Longer hours and weekend working are anticipated in the approach to and during the live phase of the event, with occasional site visits and client or supplier meetings also required