Head of Stand Installations

Role Overview

The Head of Stand Installations is responsible for the successful planning, management & delivery of every exhibition stand installation undertaken. This role has full operational ownership of installation projects from the point they are released into production through to final client handover, dismantle & return to the warehouse. The successful candidate will lead the in-house installation team while managing a trusted network of subcontractors across the UK & Europe, ensuring every project is delivered safely, on time, within budget & to the company’s high standards of quality. This is a senior leadership position requiring exceptional organisational ability, technical expertise, commercial awareness & strong people management skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Installation Management
  • Take full operational ownership of all exhibition stand installations.
  • Produce installation programmes, labour schedules & resource plans.
  • Allocate in-house installers & subcontract labour efficiently.
  • Ensure all projects are appropriately resourced with labour, vehicles & equipment.
  • Attend key installations where required to oversee delivery.
  • Manage stand dismantles, return logistics & post-event operations.
  • Resolve onsite issues quickly & professionally to minimise disruption.
• Team Leadership
  • Lead, mentor & develop the installation team.
  • Conduct regular performance reviews & toolbox talks.
  • Identify training & development requirements.
  • Manage staffing levels, holiday requests & resource planning.
  • Foster effective communication between the office, workshop & site teams.
• Subcontractor Management
  • Source, appoint & manage installation subcontractors across the UK & Europe.
  • Build & maintain a reliable network of trusted installation partners.
  • Ensure subcontractors consistently meet the company’s quality & safety standards.
  • Monitor subcontractor performance & provide regular feedback.
  • Negotiate labour rates & maintain cost-effective installation delivery.
• Project Delivery
  • Ensure every installation is delivered on schedule.
  • Completed within the agreed labour budget.
  • Built in accordance with approved drawings & specifications.
  • Installed safely & in compliance with all relevant regulations.
  • Finished to the highest standards of workmanship & presentation.
  • Take ownership of resolving any operational challenges that arise during installation.
• Health & Safety
  • Ensure Risk Assessments & Method Statements (RAMS) are implemented & followed.
  • Conduct onsite safety briefings & toolbox talks.
  • Maintain high standards of health & safety across all projects.
  • Ensure correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  • Monitor compliance with exhibition venue regulations & site procedures.
  • Promote a proactive safety culture throughout the installation team.
• Logistics & Equipment
  • Coordinate vehicle loading & transport schedules.
  • Ensure all installation equipment & materials are accounted for before, during & after each project.
  • Manage warehouse returns following events.
  • Oversee the maintenance, servicing & readiness of installation equipment & vehicles.
• Client & Site Management
  • Act as the company’s senior installation representative on site.
  • Develop & maintain strong working relationships with clients, exhibition organisers, venue contractors, site managers, and health & safety officers.
• Quality Control
  • Ensure every stand meets the company’s quality standards.
  • Carry out final quality inspections before client handover.
  • Identify opportunities to improve installation processes & working practices.
  • Minimise snagging, damage & rework through effective planning & supervision.
• Budget & Commercial Responsibility
  • Work closely with the General Manager & Project Managers to control installation costs.
  • Improve labour efficiency.
  • Reduce installation damage & rework.
  • Maximise project profitability.
  • Monitor labour utilisation & installation performance.

What You’ll Need

• Minimum five years’ experience within the exhibition stand installation industry.
• Previous experience leading installation teams.
• Strong knowledge of both shell scheme & bespoke exhibition stand construction.
• Excellent organisational & planning skills.
• Strong leadership & team management ability.
• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Forklift licence (desirable).
• Experience managing installation projects across Europe (desirable).

Personal Attributes

• Calm under pressure.
• Highly organised & proactive.
• A confident problem solver.
• A hands-on leader who leads by example.
• Commercially aware with strong decision-making skills.
• Detail focused & quality driven.
• Professional in appearance & approach.
• Flexible & willing to travel throughout the UK & Europe.
• Positive, motivated & committed to delivering exceptional customer service.

What’s in it for you?

• Salary £45,000–£50,000 + overtime.
• Generous holiday: 20 days plus Bank Holidays, plus an extra 7 days over the Christmas & New Year closure.
• Onsite parking.
• Paid expenses, including meals & overnight stays.
• Uniform provided.
• Friendly, supportive working environment.
• Opportunities to develop new skills within the events industry.
• Company pension.
• Company events.