Event Operations Manager, UTMB UK in Manchester

UTMB Group is the global leader in the organisation of trail running events. Our flagship event, the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc, has been the world’s highest profile trail race for several years. Based in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in the French Alps, UTMB Group launched the UTMB World Series in partnership with The IRONMAN Group in 2022. The UTMB World Series is the largest trail running circuit in the world, bringing together more than 60 leading international events to give all trail runners the chance to live the UTMB adventure close to home. UTMB UK are responsible for organising UTMB World Series events in this territory.

To support the development of our UK events, we are seeking an experienced and motivated event operations professional to join our hard-working team. This person will have a passion for delivering excellent, and seamlessly planned, sports events.

The role of the Event Operations Manager is to ensure all UTMB UK events are delivered to the highest standards as determined by our UTMB World Series guidelines and in line with the UK events industry. Under the supervision of the Event Director, you will bring all the complex operational elements together to deliver a safe, efficient and seamless event experience. You will be responsible for general event management and administrative tasks, as well as liaising with stakeholders, suppliers, venues and our incredible volunteers. You will work with our project management software to monitor the event’s progress ensuring milestones are met and actions are completed on time and to budget.

Responsibilities for the role:

• Planning the various venue layouts and infrastructure requirements to safely deliver services for participants, spectators and volunteers.
• Delivering the venues to meet the requirements of the sport competition and to follow the UTMB World Series operational guidelines.
• Taking ownership of event logistics, including the collection and delivery of all event based equipment, supplies, infrastructure and transportation.
• Designing event transport plans and venues, including car parking and shuttle bus requirements, for participants, spectators and volunteers.
• Inventory management, such as the ordering, procurement and storage of equipment, branding and signage, including cleaning and maintenance.
• Supporting the Volunteer Coordinator with the ordering of staff and volunteer uniforms, accreditation and parking passes.
• Training and managing additional temporary operational staff roles before and during events.
• Planning, ordering and scheduling the food and drink supplies, and catering requirements, across the whole event.
• Writing event manuals, creating procedures for event based tasks, and contributing to the development and implementation of risk assessments.
• Coordinating and booking all staff and volunteer accommodation and transport needs, including hire vehicles.
• Liaising with suppliers, obtaining quotations, procuring services and reviewing supplier documentation.
• Producing event schedules, checklists and detailed production timelines.
• Designing and applying the venue signage and wayfinding plans.
• Coordinating the waste, recycling and sustainability requirements for the event.
• Producing and coordinating site build plans and branding installation plans.
• Managing costs and monitoring the budget to ensure financial accuracy.
• Reviewing working practices and looking for continuous ways to improve.

Work location: The role is based at our UK office in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, from Monday to Friday. There is the opportunity to work remotely one day or two days per week. You will be required to attend occasional site visits and planning meetings across the UK. You will be required to be on site during the specific event dates.

Essential Skills And Experience:

• 5+ years of experience working within the sports events industry.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritise your workload.
• Experience of project management and working towards fixed deadlines.
• Ability to form effective relationships and work well in a team environment.
• Meticulous attention to detail and an appreciation for event presentation.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365 and digital project management tools.
• Ability to manage multiple complex tasks and remain calm under pressure.
• Skilled in the production of coherent documents, briefings and schedules.
• Fluent in spoken and written English language.
• Full, clean, UK driving licence and ability to drive large vans.

Desirable Skills And Experience:

• Experience of outdoor mass participant events, in particular trail-running.
• Degree qualification in event management, in particular sports events.
• Skilled in spoken and written Welsh language.

Salary And Benefits: £35,000 - £38,000 dependent on experience + profit-sharing bonus (based on the company results). Opportunity to travel internationally to experience other UTMB World Series events. Attendance at the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc World Series Finals in Chamonix, France. Company pension plus 25 days holiday per year in addition to bank holidays. A passionate and fast-growing company in an exciting sporting sector. UTMB World Series partner brand staff discounts.

Recruitment process: At UTMB Group, we value your time and your commitment. Our recruitment process is simple and straightforward: Interview with Morgane (HR Manager) by video call (45 minutes): an opportunity for you to discover our company and to confirm that your expectations and career goals match the role we are offering. Interview with Jules (International Event Manager) at our offices or by video call (1 hour): a deeper discussion of your background from a technical perspective, as well as an assessment of your skills and cultural fit. Interview with Florian (International Director) at our offices or by video call (45 minutes): an opportunity to learn more about the day-to-day work of the International team and their current challenges, to help you project yourself into the team.