Head of Events in Manchester

Informa Markets, a division within Informa, creates global platforms for industries to trade, innovate and grow. We organise over 450 large-scale branded and transaction-led events in over a dozen specialist markets. These are typically not-to-be-missed live and on-demand B2B events where industries convene and people gather to do business. We also provide data and digital content, as well as year-round online platforms where companies showcase their businesses and products and buyers conduct research, generating valuable leads.

This role is primarily based at our 125 Deansgate office in Manchester, with the option to be based at our Blackfriars office in London. The Head of Events is a leadership position responsible for planning and executing major global events within the Routes portfolio. This role involves managing a dedicated team to deliver all event management, operational, and travel requirements. A key focus is on building and maintaining strong relationships with hosts, the portfolio's largest external partners, to achieve their objectives and oversee events and financial responsibilities. Additionally, the role is accountable for managing cost budgets and directly contributing to the business's operational profit targets.

The role focuses on supporting the strategy and growth of the Routes portfolio, delivering excellence and innovation, and providing event delivery leadership. This individual will be responsible for cost management, event and operational delivery, and continual improvement of both the customer journey and the sustainable evolution of the Routes portfolio. As part of the cross-functional leadership team, the role will contribute to the overall brand and portfolio goals, ensuring the continued success and growth of Routes events.

Role Accountability and Duties

• Develop a deep understanding of the aviation markets within route development to curate and deliver global events that exceed the needs of niche customer personas.
• Drive revenue generation through innovative and effective product development and delivery, ensuring operational profit targets are consistently met.
• Achieve financial, operational, and customer-oriented event objectives, including profitability, customer experience, brand eminence, and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate on the strategic layout of events, including floor plans, product offerings, and commercial opportunities.
• Provide event management and operational insights to support the analysis and assessment of future event host destinations, including conducting host visits, venue assessments, and advising on host contracts.
• Serve as a member of the leadership team, contributing to business direction, event plans, budgets, three-year plans (3YP), and special projects.

Excellence & Innovation

• Enhance customer journeys to strengthen the market-leading position of Routes events and improve customer satisfaction and NPS scores.
• Drive operational improvements across the portfolio, focusing on event management and host delivery processes.
• Contribute to revenue generation through innovative product development and delivery, ensuring operational profit targets are achieved.
• Collaborate with the wider Informa business to adopt best practices for platform and system integration, including development plans and training rollouts.
• Lead event teams in delivering and maintaining event sustainability and inclusivity standards in line with Informa’s Fundamentals benchmark.
• Support the integration of event insights into broader customer journey mapping, brand development, and event enhancement initiatives.

Event Delivery Leadership

• Oversee and manage all aspects of event management, operational delivery, and travel management for the Routes portfolio and associated brand events.
• Manage the event P&L with accountability for cost forecasting, cost management, and financial reporting.
• Lead and directly manage a team to plan, prepare, and execute a portfolio of global events.
• Build and maintain strategic, long-term relationships with host partners and stakeholders to achieve event KPIs, host objectives, and financial targets.
• Account manage host delivery requirements to ensure alignment with business goals, brand prominence, and the needs of the aviation communities served.
• Negotiate and manage venue, contractor, and supplier contracts to ensure seamless event delivery.
• Manage event project plans and timelines across all delivery functions.
• Oversee operational support, customer service, and transport and housing logistics, collaborating with Informa PLC shared services to manage global and event-specific contracts, such as logistics and event builds.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting on event KPIs and forecasts.
• Perform additional tasks as required.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of planning and delivering major, complex international events, including exhibitions, networking, and conferences.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills with a passion for fostering positive relationships internally and externally.
• Demonstrated success as an event professional with a history of developing, organising, and managing large-scale events.
• Strategic thinker with the confidence and self-sufficiency to lead the Host & Event Management team, empower direct reports, and influence virtual teams.
• Deep understanding of the aviation and travel events industry, with the ability to design live and digital experiences that exceed customer expectations, drive attendance ROI, and support revenue growth.
• Adaptable and driven to identify, refine, and manage structural, operational, and delivery changes aligned with strategic, tactical, and budget objectives.
• Expertise in budget management, including planning, cost control, and executing cost mitigation projects to achieve operational profit targets.
• Proven ability to build and maintain long-term relationships, collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders to meet diverse objectives.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to operate at a senior level and manage strategic meetings across varied cultural and linguistic contexts.
• Demonstrated success in managing and developing high-performing teams, addressing issues professionally and transparently, delegating effectively, and leading both direct and indirect teams.

Additional Information

We believe that great things happen when people connect face‑to‑face. That's why we work in‑person with each other, or with customers and partners, three days a week or more. When you’re not spending time together in one of our offices or other workplaces – such as at an Informa event – you get the flexibility and support to work from home or remotely. We work hard to make sure Life at Informa is rewarding, supportive and enjoyable for everyone.

Our benefits include:

• Great community: a welcoming culture with in‑person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World charity day and active diversity and inclusion networks.
• Broader impact: take up to four days per year to volunteer, with charity match funding available too.
• Career opportunity: the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms and on‑demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning. When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves.
• Time out: 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after two years, plus a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year.
• A flexible range of personal benefits to choose from, plus company funded private medical cover.
• A ShareMatch scheme that allows you to become an Informa shareholder with free matching shares.
• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, a healthy living subsidy, access to health apps and more.
• Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programmes.
• As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world.

We’re not solely focused on a checklist of skills. We champion energy and ambition and look for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up, join in and help make things happen. If it sounds like a match and you have most – although not all – of the skills and experience listed, we welcome your application. At Informa, you’ll find inclusive experiences and environments where all perspectives and backgrounds are welcomed. As part of this approach and our diversity and inclusion commitments, we are also formally an Equal Opportunities Employer. This means we base decisions on relevant qualifications and merit and do not discriminate on the basis of key characteristics and statuses, including all of those protected by law.