At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead large-scale international sporting events from planning to execution with a dynamic team.
- Company: Join a leading organisation in the event management industry, known for excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, extensive travel opportunities, and professional growth in a vibrant environment.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on global sporting events while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex events and multidisciplinary teams is essential.
- Other info: Opportunity for extensive international travel and career advancement in a fast-paced setting.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Director of Event Project Management & Overlay to provide strategic leadership across the planning, delivery, and operational execution of a portfolio of large-scale international sporting events. This senior role oversees end-to-end event project management and temporary venue overlay, ensuring events are delivered safely, efficiently, on budget, and to the highest global standards. Reporting into senior Event Operations leadership, you will translate overarching event strategy into seamless on-site execution, while driving continuous improvement across the event lifecycle.
You will lead multidisciplinary teams, collaborate closely with host city stakeholders and delivery partners, and play a pivotal role during live event operations.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the coordination of the full event lifecycle, ensuring strong cross-functional integration across planning, build, live event and de-rig phases.
- Establish and embed standardised event frameworks, methodologies, tools, and processes to support consistent delivery across multiple events.
- Chair key event meetings, including planning reviews, race-week coordination, and post-event debriefs.
- Act as senior operational lead during live events when required, providing oversight, escalation management, and crisis leadership via the Event Command Centre.
- Own departmental budgets, maintaining a season-wide view to identify efficiencies, cost control opportunities, and performance improvements.
- Support Event Leads in integrating external stakeholders, local operators, and technical suppliers, promoting long-term efficiencies and scalable solutions.
- Conduct technical site visits for new and existing venues, contributing to layout design, operational planning, and feasibility assessments.
- Oversee a complex portfolio of interdependent projects across multiple international locations.
- Monitor project roadmaps, milestones, dependencies, and risks, ensuring alignment across events and departments.
- Proactively identify issues, drive corrective actions, and maintain overall programme quality and integrity.
- Ensure timely and accurate project reporting, status updates, and senior-level insights.
- Organise and support strategic workshops to improve delivery, governance, and planning capabilities.
- Champion continuous improvement in project tools, systems, and processes.
- Lead the Event Overlay function, overseeing all temporary infrastructure build and de-rig operations.
- Ensure all event infrastructure complies with global technical standards, safety regulations, and local permitting requirements across diverse markets.
- Act as the primary liaison between technical, sporting, and operational teams to ensure fully integrated event plans.
- Support infrastructure budgeting and procurement strategies, identifying opportunities for economies of scale and year-on-year cost efficiencies.
- Line manage a London-based team of 15+ across event project management and venue overlay disciplines.
- Work closely with Host City Directors and senior Project Managers to ensure consistent delivery approaches across all events.
- Facilitate internal workshops and reviews to drive collaboration, efficiency, and best practice.
- Act as a senior operational representative, providing oversight across broader Operations functions when required.
- Proven experience leading complex, large-scale international events or projects.
- Strong background in event project management, operational delivery, or major programme leadership.
- Demonstrable experience managing multidisciplinary teams and multi-stakeholder delivery environments.
- Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on and detail-focused.
- Commercial awareness, with experience managing budgets, reporting, and performance metrics.
- Advanced knowledge of project and programme management methodologies.
- Strong proficiency with digital collaboration tools and programme management software.
- Clear understanding of the dynamics of live sporting or major event environments.
- Degree-level intellectual capability.
- Experience within motorsport or elite sporting events.
- Formal project management qualification (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2).
- Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.
- Calm, authoritative leader with strong decision-making capability under pressure.
- Highly organised, adaptable, and resilient.
- Comfortable working autonomously in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
- Emotionally intelligent with the ability to lead diverse teams across cultures.
- Willingness to travel extensively, including sustained periods and short-notice deployments.
Regular international travel required, typically supporting 6-8 event locations per season, plus additional site visits for future event planning.
Project Management and Overlay Director employer: Matchtech Mobility
Contact Detail:
Matchtech Mobility Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Management and Overlay Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in managing large-scale events. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and delivered successful projects. This is your time to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a job that fits your skills, don’t just wait for the application window to open. Reach out directly to the hiring manager or team. Express your interest and ask if they’d be open to a chat about the role. It shows initiative and can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on the latest trends in event management and project delivery. Consider taking online courses or attending workshops. This not only boosts your CV but also gives you great talking points during interviews. Plus, we’ve got some fab resources on our website to help you out!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Management and Overlay Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Project Management and Overlay Director. Highlight your experience with large-scale international events and any relevant project management qualifications. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in event management and how you can bring that expertise to StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading multidisciplinary teams, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've successfully managed teams in high-pressure environments and how you foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Matchtech Mobility
✨Know Your Events Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of large-scale international events. Familiarise yourself with recent projects in the industry, especially those that align with the role. This will not only show your passion but also your understanding of the complexities involved in event project management.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex projects. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully navigated challenges and driven continuous improvement in past roles. This is your chance to demonstrate your calm and authoritative leadership style.
✨Master the Budget Talk
Since budget management is crucial for this role, come prepared to discuss your experience with financial oversight. Think of specific instances where you identified cost efficiencies or improved performance metrics. This will showcase your commercial awareness and ability to manage departmental budgets effectively.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your stakeholder management skills by preparing to discuss how you've collaborated with various partners in previous roles. Share stories that illustrate your relationship-building abilities and how you’ve integrated external stakeholders into successful event delivery.