Staging & Operations, Senior Event Executive in London

Sportgate International is an award-winning sports events and rights management company delivering premium live sporting experiences worldwide. Its portfolio includes flagship events such as Chestertons Polo in the Park in London, alongside other international sports and lifestyle experiences.

Delivered on greenfield sites, these events involve creating fully operational temporary event sites, hosting thousands of spectators, elite international players, global brands, VIPs, within tightly controlled licensing and safety frameworks. Sportgate is a small, highly driven team working closely with specialist consultants, suppliers, and contractors, offering hands-on responsibility, close collaboration with senior stakeholders, and the chance to contribute directly to the delivery of world-class sporting events.

Sportgate International is seeking a driven, organised, and proactive Senior Operations & Event Executive to join its Operations team. This role is central to planning, coordinating, and delivering Polo in the Park, focusing on event operations, access control, accreditation, and supplier management across Build, Event, and De-Rig phases.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Event Director and delivery teams, taking responsibility for operational systems, contractor access, staffing logistics, and live event support. This hands-on role suits someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-pressure, on-site environment.

• Support the development of tendering and supplier briefing documentation for Chestertons Polo in the Park and other Sportgate events, aligned to operational, site, and budget requirements.
• Work closely with the Operations, Production, Hospitality, and Finance teams to review supplier costs, scopes, and operational outputs, identifying opportunities for efficiencies and cost savings without compromising event quality.
• Coordinate supplier contract variations, scope changes, and approvals in line with evolving event requirements and timelines.
• Assist in the development and management of systems and processes to monitor supplier performance, compliance, and delivery against agreed scopes.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers, contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders, supporting best practice and long-term partnerships.
• Support the management and tracking of operational and supplier budgets, ensuring spend aligns with approved budgets and value for money is demonstrated.
• Prepare and contribute to post-event supplier reviews and reporting, identifying savings achieved, lessons learned, and recommendations for future events.
• Liaise with the Finance team to support purchasing processes, purchase order management, and adherence to agreed financial controls.
• Assist senior management with commercial discussions and negotiations with suppliers where appropriate, supporting improved terms, efficiencies, and service delivery.
• Act as a key operational contact for procurement-related matters on-site, ensuring suppliers are briefed, accredited, and supported throughout build, live, and de-rig phases.

• Maintain regular and proactive communication with event suppliers and contractors to ensure strong working relationships and a clear understanding of event requirements.
• Act as the primary day-to-day contact for designated suppliers, managing queries, timelines, and on-site coordination.
• Develop a clear understanding of supplier contracts, scopes of work, and service level expectations, ensuring these are delivered throughout the build, live event, and de-rig phases.
• Liaise closely with internal teams, including Operations, Hospitality, and Production, to ensure supplier delivery aligns with agreed scopes and operational needs.
• Contribute to and produce post-event supplier evaluations, capturing performance, lessons learned, and recommendations to ensure consistent quality and continuous improvement across future Sportgate events.

• Report to and support the Events Director & Manager.
• Day-to-day assistance throughout events.
• Support through sourcing and negotiating with suppliers.
• Management of Player Sponsor and Rights Holder guest requirements, feeding into the Managers.
• Understanding all guests travel & accommodation plans.
• Accreditation requirements/distribution.
• Support with Special Events to ensure a seamless delivery for all guests & VIPs.
• Be an excellent communicator and team player.
• Liaise with other departments to ensure alignment.

• Competitive Salary.
• Annual Discretionary Company Bonus – up to 8% - 3% Company & 5% Individual.
• 25 days annual leave (+ public holidays), pro-rated.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Private Healthcare.
• Staff clothing.
• Working hours will be from 09.00 to 17.30 with an hour taken for lunch between 12.00 and 14.00.