At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the planning and execution of thrilling SailGP events across iconic global venues.
- Company: Join SailGP, a fast-growing sports league committed to sustainability and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to work in an exciting sports environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in a vibrant, international setting.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of adrenaline-fueled events while championing clean energy and diversity.
- Qualifications: Experience in large-scale event management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 61408 - 75000 £ per year.
About: The Rolex SailGP Championship is the most exciting racing on water, where anything can happen in short, adrenaline-fueled battles between national teams at iconic stadium destinations worldwide. Top athletes fly in identical high-tech F50 catamarans faster than the wind, at speeds approaching 60 mph. Founded in 2018, SailGP is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and entertainment properties, now in its fifth season. SailGP also races for a better future, championing a world powered by nature. In 2020, SailGP set a new standard as the first climate positive sports and entertainment property and began delivering actions and innovations that advance the global adoption of clean energy. Underpinning the organization’s purpose-driven agenda is a diversification of the league, with the goal of immediately progressing gender equity and inclusivity. SailGP is a global organisation with defined values that shape the culture of its team – deliver quality, break boundaries, make an impact, stand together and strike a balance.
Summary: We are seeking an experienced, driven, and collaborative Head of Event to lead the planning, execution and delivery of up to two SailGP events across our host cities. You will own the full event lifecycle, working closely with our Global and Local teams, and orchestrating a wide range of operational, commercial, and stakeholder functions to deliver a world class sporting spectacle.
Key Responsibilities
- Project Management: Lead the end-to-end project management of the event, maintaining a robust project plan aligned with the One Event Plan (OEP) framework and utilising the governance tools provided by the Event Readiness team to ensure strict compliance with SailGP processes, stage gates, and timelines. Drive effective communication across teams and stakeholders to ensure smooth coordination, cross-departmental alignment, and successful delivery. Maintain a rigorous, high-frequency reporting cadence, providing regular updates on milestone progress, active risks, and operational readiness through the Championship Dashboard to guarantee total accountability and visibility throughout the event lifecycle.
- Stakeholder & Host Venue Management: Act as SailGP’s in-market representative, managing all local stakeholder relationships and obligations within the Host Venue Agreement. Organise and report on key stakeholder meetings and maintain strong local engagement.
- Operations & Infrastructure Alignment: Ensure seamless alignment and integration between the specialist Infrastructure and Operations teams, guaranteeing that venue design, infrastructure planning, build, and dismantle activities are perfectly synchronised with the overarching event timeline. Facilitate continuous cross-functional coordination across all localised site operations and services—including health & safety, crowd management, catering, ticketing, branding, and accreditation—to maintain a unified, macro view of event readiness. Act as the central integration point on-site, ensuring that the physical footprint delivered by Infrastructure perfectly meets the commercial, fan experience, and operational requirements of all internal and external stakeholders.
- Finance, Legal & Procurement: Lead on the event budget development and financial oversight, maintaining strict budget accountability across all assigned functions. Maintain a rigorous financial reporting cadence, providing regular updates on forecasting, tracking budget-versus-actual spend, and flagging variances early to ensure total transparency for the Finance team and leadership. Ensure absolute adherence to global procurement, finance, and legal policies.
- Risk, Safety & Compliance: Oversee the development and execution of key safety, risk registers, and emergency management plans. In conjunction with the SailGP Risk function, ensure compliance across local regulations and internal risk and safety protocols.
- Permits & Licensing: Lead the local team on all permitting and licensing processes, acting as the primary liaison with local authorities to ensure legal deadlines are met. Manage documentation, tracking systems, and briefings related to all required permissions.
- Fan Experience & Engagement: Partner with and support the specialist Experience team in curating and delivering a compelling and inclusive fan experience program, including ticketing, localised spectator showcases, and content creation tailored to the local market.
- Marketing, PR & Communications: Coordinate the event announcement and ticket sales campaigns with regional and global marketing leads to aggressively drive local commercial metrics. Monitor and adapt ticketing and promotional strategies as needed.
- Commercial & Partnerships: Support partnership delivery and fulfillment on-site in line with commercial objectives and contractual obligations.
About You: Proven experience in large-scale event planning, staging, and operations, preferably in an international or high-performance sporting environment. Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and cross-functional project coordination skills. Direct experience managing complex event budgets with a track record of commercial accountability. Ability to thrive under pressure and navigate complex, fast-paced live event environments.
Location: This role will be regionally based in one of our host cities and will serve as the Head of Event for a minimum of two SailGP events per season. Some travel to London HQ will be required.
SailGP is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion.
Head of Event (EMEA) employer: SailGP
SailGP is an exceptional employer that champions a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, making it a thrilling place to work for those passionate about sports and events. With a commitment to employee growth and development, team members are encouraged to break boundaries and make a meaningful impact while enjoying the excitement of working in iconic locations around the world. The organisation's dedication to diversity and its pioneering climate-positive initiatives further enhance the unique advantages of being part of this dynamic team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Event (EMEA)
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
Even though you’re after a full-time role, don’t underestimate internships or volunteering in sports organisations. These positions not only give you hands-on experience but can also lead to permanent openings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to make your face known in the industry!
✨Visit Sports Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for sports job fairs and career expos specific to the recreation management field. These events are goldmines for meeting hiring managers from organisations like SailGP. Bring your A-game and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out openings on our site! Our listings will often include positions at excellent organisations in sports recreation management, including SailGP. Applying directly through our platform increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Let's get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Event (EMEA)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining SailGP aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at SailGP
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with SailGP, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
