At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead large-scale international sporting events from planning to execution with a dynamic team.
- Company: Join a leading event management company in the heart of London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and professional growth in a vibrant industry.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with extensive travel and excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global events while travelling and collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex events and leading multidisciplinary teams is essential.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: London (with extensive international travel)
Contract: Full-time, permanent
The Role
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
- Event Planning & Delivery
- 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.
- Project & Programme Management
- 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.
- Event Overlay & Operations
- 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.
- Leadership & Team Management
- 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.
Skills, Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- 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.
Desirable
- Experience within motorsport or elite sporting events.
- Formal project management qualification (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2).
Personal Attributes
- 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.
Travel Requirements
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. Job in London LilyLifestyle Jobs employer: United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
As a leading employer in the event management sector, we offer an exciting opportunity for the Director of Project Management & Overlay role in London, where you will be at the forefront of delivering world-class international sporting events. Our dynamic work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing extensive growth opportunities through hands-on leadership and strategic involvement in high-profile projects. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on employee well-being, we ensure that our team thrives in a supportive environment while enjoying the unique advantage of working in one of the world's most vibrant cities.
Contact Details:
United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Management and Overlay Director. Job in London LilyLifestyle Jobs
✨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 to reach out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! When you get the chance to meet hiring managers or team leaders, make sure to highlight your experience in managing large-scale events. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and delivered successful projects under pressure.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent events. Understand their values and how they operate. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, what are you waiting for? Get your application in!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Management and Overlay Director. Job in London LilyLifestyle Jobs
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 in leading large-scale events and managing multidisciplinary teams, as these are key aspects of the job.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in event project management and how you’ve driven continuous improvement in previous positions.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your leadership style! Include examples of how you've managed teams and collaborated with stakeholders in high-pressure environments. This will help us understand how you can lead our diverse teams effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
✨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 related to sporting events. This will not only show your passion but also help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨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 in past roles, particularly in high-pressure environments. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively during live events.
✨Master the Budget Talk
Since budget management is crucial for this role, come prepared with examples of how you've managed budgets in previous projects. Discuss any cost-saving strategies you've implemented and how you ensured financial efficiency while maintaining quality standards.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about your approach to stakeholder management. Prepare to share experiences where you've successfully collaborated with various stakeholders, including local operators and technical suppliers. Highlight your communication skills and how you build relationships to ensure smooth project delivery.
