Head of Events and Exhibitions Project Management in Leeds

We are Lowe, a globally recognized brand for innovation, ambition and high quality. We are the world’s leading refrigeration and catering equipment supplier to major food exhibitions, sporting events and retailers across the globe; from the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix to Glastonbury, we provide high quality rental solutions to help our clients entertain and delight their customers.

The Head of Projects – Exhibitions and Events, Europe is a senior operational role, responsible for the successful planning and delivery of multiple high-profile projects, each with their own unique challenges and rewards. You will oversee projects at major food and drink exhibitions in the UK, Europe and the Middle East, in the delivery of refrigeration and catering equipment.

The Exhibition and Events calendar demands the ability to manage multiple teams, across multiple projects, at all stages of the project lifecycle, at any one time. You will be a natural leader who is adaptable in fast paced environments and has demonstrable expertise in developing and empowering a team of project managers, site supervisors and external on-site support resources. You will take ownership for planning, resourcing, scheduling and budget management of your projects. You will provide training, support and development opportunities to enable a high performing, resilient and resourceful team.

Adept at building relationships across the business – particularly with the EU Sales team – and with clients, you will need to be an excellent communicator and a highly effective decision maker. Given the nature of the role, you will need the ability and desire to travel frequently across the UK and Europe. You will be a champion of the Lowe brand and drive a strong H&S culture.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Responsible for the overall planning, budgeting, resourcing and delivery of Exhibition and Event operations
• Timely and effective communication with key stakeholders across all stages of the project lifecycle
• Lead, manage and develop the project team
• Provide the required capacity and capability to meet project demands
• Deliver exceptional service to clients while effectively managing project costs
• Be solutions orientated in a fast paced project environment
• Drive change and improvements in projects process and practices
• Ensure all Health and Safety at Work requirements are met and followed
• Working long and at times unsociable hours (when out on site), some bank holiday and weekend working is also required

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Previous leadership and management of project teams (minimum 5 years’ experience)
• Able to delegate, supervise and get your own hands dirty in a fast-moving operational environment
• Problem solver and can-do attitude, wants to be part of the solution and resourceful in coming up with solutions on the fly
• Exceptional people leader, leads by example and able to get the respect of a diverse workforce
• Enjoys fast paced, exhibition environments and able to deliver volume in a short space of time
• Good communicator at all levels and can clearly communicate with the client, contractors, and wider team
• Logical decision maker, quick to act but takes responsibility for their actions
• Encourages their team to do the same
• Makes decisions under pressure and deals with problems in a timely manner
• Very strong attention to detail, works in a tidy, organised way, prioritises work activities and plans how to meet deadlines
• Strong negotiation skills and builds rapport quickly to create their own ‘little black book of contacts’ to support with annual projects
• Excellent computer skills including all Microsoft office applications
• Full clean driving licence
• Ability and willingness to travel anywhere within the UK, Europe and Middle East and be away from home for periods of time essential

Desirable:

• Knowledge and experience of the Exhibition and or Events industry is highly desirable
• Experience in refrigeration and or catering operations
• Ability to speak Spanish would be advantageous
• Knowledge of process improvement practices desirable
• Experience of construction or off-site construction industry

Exceptional candidates who do not meet these criteria may be considered for the role provided they have the necessary skills and experience. Lowe is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workforce. We are incredibly selective in our hiring and shortlisting for this vacancy will be completed on the basis of merit. Candidates should tailor their CVs to reflect our essential criteria.