Head of Events in South West London

The Head of Events EMEA is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving strategic direction, operational excellence, and financial success of the event division. This role involves leading and developing a team of event directors and senior event managers, ensuring exceptional client delivery and pushing the boundaries of innovation within the events industry. The role will focus on cross-functional integration, effective communication, and alignment between divisions, global resourcing, overseeing operational functions to ensure optimal output in tandem with their North America office.

• TEAM MANAGEMENT
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Event Directors and Senior Event Managers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
  • Oversee team resourcing, workflow, and project allocation in collaboration with direct reports.
  • Ensure effective management practices are consistently applied, including regular 1-on-1 meetings, performance reviews, and team development.
  • Drive recruitment efforts, including participation in candidate interviews as required.
  • Manage and approve team leave and time off in line with company policy.
• FINANCIAL ACUMEN
  • Provide financial oversight, including review of project forecasts, profitability, and cash flow.
  • Manage the budgeting process and approve significant event budgets.
  • Negotiate and manage supplier agreements, margins, and commission structures.
  • Contribute to departmental budgets and potential event P&L development.
• CLIENT DELIVERY & RELATIONSHIPS
  • Ensure the development and implementation of robust account structures to support client relationships.
  • Drive a client-centric approach across the event division, ensuring exceptional service delivery and client satisfaction.
  • Oversee the delivery of large-scale and new client events, ensuring best practices, key deliverables, and effective resource planning.
  • Foster strong, long-term relationships with key clients, acting as a strategic partner and trusted advisor.
• OPERATIONAL OVERSIGHT
  • Oversee operational functions, ensuring alignment and efficiency across all event-related activities.
  • Evaluate and optimise technology ROI and event processes.
  • Oversee the onboarding and contracting process for clients and suppliers.
  • Drive supplier and vendor performance evaluations to ensure service quality, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Conduct process analysis to identify inefficiencies and develop and implement effective solutions.
  • Promote process alignment and synergy across divisions to enhance collaboration and cross-functional effectiveness.
  • Maintain and enforce the live event process documentation, ensuring it is current, comprehensive, and consistently followed.
  • Work with Operational functions to ensure compliance & health and safety.
• GROWTH & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
  • Strategic sales alignment for growth working with business development team and directors to develop and execute aligned EMEA growth strategies, targeting new markets and opportunities.
  • Winning new business via RFP & pitches by leading compelling RFP responses and developing impactful pitch presentations in collaboration with Sales to secure new event business.
  • Leveraging events for brand positioning with marketing and sales to strategically utilise events to enhance brand perception and drive new business in EMEA.
  • Contributing to sales targets, driving new event business and expanding client relationships to contribute to overall sales goals.
  • Provide market intelligence and competitive insights, collaborate with sales and marketing to monitor the EMEA market and inform growth strategies.
• SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
  • Proven senior leadership experience in live event production across the global (8+ years), ideally within an agency environment.
  • Strong strategic, commercial, and operational acumen, including P&L management, budgeting, and vendor negotiations.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor high-performing teams across regions, with a focus on resourcing, development, and performance culture.
  • Excellent client relationship skills with experience managing senior stakeholders and driving growth through pitches and RFP responses.
  • Deep understanding of end-to-end event delivery, including technical production, compliance, and operational efficiency.
  • Strong collaboration with cross-functional teams including business development, marketing, and operations to align on growth strategy and brand positioning.