At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and manage systems for event operations, ensuring smooth processes and clear communication.
- Company: Join a leading multinational travel management company with a dynamic remote culture.
- Benefits: Competitive daily pay, flexible remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: This role offers a chance to shape processes in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Be the backbone of event success by creating efficient systems that support creative teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in program management and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
This role requires strong program management and transformation experience. The client is looking for someone who can dive into complex systems and design scalable structures to improve how they operate. Deep experience in program-level ownership and transformation is essential.
This role builds and runs that operating system. It is a pure program and operations role - the person designing and maintaining the intake, planning, budgeting, reporting and governance that lets a small team operate calmly a year in advance.
Important: this role does not plan or deliver events. Client's internal team and agency partner do that. You build and run the system they work within - the rails, not the train. Your success is measured by how well the people delivering events are supported, not by events you personally run.
What you’ll own
- A single source of truth and portfolio visibility
- Intake and demand governance
- Reporting cadence and stakeholder governance
- Planning, capacity and resourcing systems
- Process, cadence and playbooks
- Agency operating model
What we’re looking for
Must have
- Demonstrated program/operations or PMO experience designing and running process across multiple concurrent workstreams.
- A track record of building systems and bringing order to ambiguous, reactive environments - this is a build role, not an execution role.
- Change-management instinct: getting people to adopt new ways of working without relying on formal authority.
- Confident stakeholder management, including setting expectations and pushing back constructively with senior people.
- Fluency in project management tooling (e.g. Monday.com, Smartsheet, Workfront) and a bias toward a single source of truth over spreadsheet sprawl.
- Excellent written and verbal communication - clear briefs, clean status reporting, crisp executive updates.
Nice to have
- Background in or exposure to events, experiential, brand or marketing (helpful context, but this is not an events-delivery role).
- Experience defining operating models with external agencies or production partners.
- Familiarity with Figma and the Microsoft toolset.
- A relevant PM/operations credential (PMP, PRINCE2, PMI-ACP or similar) — useful, not required.
How you work
- Systems thinker who is calm amid other people’s deadline pressure.
- Organised and proactive — you design for the deadline rather than react to it.
- Collaborative and diplomatic, but firm about process and standards.
- Comfortable owning the unglamorous connective work that makes other people look great.
What success looks like
- Leadership and stakeholders have real-time visibility into the portfolio without asking.
- Events are requested through a clear process, prioritised against strategy, and right-sized over time.
- Internal deadlines are hit consistently; the team has room to plan and brief properly.
- Executive sponsors receive timely pre- and post-event reporting as a matter of course.
- The team collaborates and shares load instead of carrying events alone - and the brand experience is consistently strong.
*This role is open for a limited time. Next steps will be shared with shortlisted candidates ASAP. Due to the high volume of applicants, we may be unable to reply to each applicant individually. Thank you for taking the time to apply.
Client: A multinational travel management company headquartered in New York City.
Program Manager (Events Operations) [211149] in Swindon employer: Aquent
As a Program Manager (Events Operations) at our multinational travel management company, you will thrive in a dynamic remote work environment that champions innovation and collaboration. We offer competitive pay, a supportive culture that prioritises employee growth, and the opportunity to shape processes that empower teams to excel. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values your contributions and fosters a sense of belonging.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Program Manager (Events Operations) [211149] in Swindon
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Aquent. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Aquent.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Aquent.
We think you need these skills to ace Program Manager (Events Operations) [211149] in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Aquent and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aquent
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Aquent will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Aquent.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Aquent.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Aquent. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
