At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage global B2B events, ensuring high-quality delivery and operational excellence.
- Company: Join Mark Allen Group, a trusted media business with over 40 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with genuine career pathways and a culture of creativity and support.
- Why this job: Take ownership of exciting projects and make a real impact in the events industry.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in managing B2B conferences and strong organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.
As Senior Operations Manager, you will play a key role in producing high-quality global B2B events across Ground Handling International’s events portfolio, including the GHI Conferences and GSE Expo Europe. This is a role for someone who wants ownership, exposure and the chance to keep developing. You will be trusted to make things happen, encouraged to contribute ideas, and supported to build your skills in a specialist media business with genuine career pathways.
What you’ll be doing:
- Take end-to-end responsibility for the operational delivery of all GHI events globally, including the GHI Conferences and GSE Expo Europe.
- Ensure events are delivered on time, within budget and to a consistently high quality standard.
- Lead onsite event delivery, acting as the senior operational decision-maker and ensuring seamless execution.
- Oversee all technical and logistical elements of events, ensuring smooth and efficient delivery.
- Manage and reconcile event budgets, maintaining strong cost control and negotiating with suppliers to achieve best value without compromising quality.
- Collaborate with Sales to optimise floorplans and support revenue opportunities.
- Contribute to post-event reporting, analysing operational performance, costs and opportunities for improvement.
- Act as a key operational contact for industry partners and associations, ensuring expectations are met and exceeded.
- Work closely with internal teams, including sales, marketing and design, to deliver cohesive and successful events.
- Develop and deliver event signage plans, working closely with design teams and suppliers.
- Identify process improvements and drive operational efficiencies across the portfolio.
- Line manage one direct report and contribute as a senior member of the wider operations team.
- Ensure health and safety, risk management and compliance across international events.
As a senior role, you will also:
- Set clear operational priorities across the GHI events portfolio and translate them into effective delivery plans.
- Take accountability for operational budgets, supplier performance and event delivery standards.
- Lead, coach and support one direct report while contributing to the wider success of the operations team.
Must-haves:
- Strong operational events experience, with proven ability to deliver B2B conferences and exhibitions end to end.
- Confidence working with internal stakeholders, suppliers, partners and senior-level contacts in a live event environment.
- Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Commercial awareness, including experience managing budgets, costs and supplier negotiations.
- Confidence leading in live, high-pressure event environments and making sound decisions under pressure.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills.
- A detail-focused, proactive and adaptable approach with a strong commitment to quality delivery.
Nice-to-haves:
- 5+ years’ experience delivering B2B conferences and/or exhibitions.
- Experience working on international events.
- Experience collaborating closely with commercial teams to support revenue opportunities, including floorplan optimisation.
- Experience or an interest within aviation, transport, logistics or another specialist B2B market.
- Experience managing signage production and wider event supplier coordination.
If you do not meet every requirement but bring transferable skills, sound judgement and fresh thinking, we encourage you to apply.
Why join Mark Allen Group?
- Hybrid working.
- Real ownership in your role.
- Development through hands-on learning, mentoring and internal progression.
- Exposure to specialist markets and loyal professional audiences.
- A culture shaped by our values: Passionate, Creative, Nurturing and Fair.
How to apply:
Apply through our careers site with your CV. You may also include a short note telling us what attracted you to the role and what you would bring to it. A video introduction is completely optional and will not disadvantage your application.
Right to work:
Applicants must have the right to live and work in (country). We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
About Us:
For over 40 years, Mark Allen Group has built and grown specialist media brands that inform, connect and support professional communities, combining trusted content, data, events and insight. We are a commercial media owner with a long-term mindset, balancing strong legacy brands with innovation and evolution. Our people play a central role in shaping how our audiences engage with us today and how we grow for the future.
Senior Operations Manager MA Exhibitions · Dartford Office · employer: Mark Allen Group Ltd
Mark Allen Group is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of passion, creativity, and fairness, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful careers in the events industry. With a commitment to employee development through hands-on learning and mentoring, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of your role while working in a hybrid environment near Bluewater, allowing for a balanced work-life dynamic. Join a team that values your contributions and offers exposure to specialist markets, ensuring your career growth in a supportive and innovative setting.
