Operations Manager (JR100719)

Description

At Clarion, our people are at the absolute heart of what we do. We’re proud that our core values of PASSION, CARE, IMAGINATION, and TRUST define the way we carry out our work across all of our exhibitions and conferences.

If you share our values and want to be a part of a successful, dynamic, and creative global business, then we want to hear from you.

The Opportunity:

We have an exciting opportunity in the Confex Operations team for an Operations Manager. The role will focus on delivering and managing the operations for conferences and exhibitions for portfolios operating in various sectors, such as Energy, Transport, Internet Retailing, Insurance and Life Sciences.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience in delivering high quality events and an ability to cope in high pressure situations within a fast-paced environment, whilst never taking their eye off the important details.

This role is hybrid (3 days in the office) and mainly office-based with onsite working during events, requiring international travel/work over some weekends and evenings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the operational delivery of 4-6 events in the UK and worldwide from conception to completion.
• Manage event operations budgets, future planning, and forecasting in line with budget expectations.
• Reporting to and working with the Portfolio Director on operational strategy for each event.
• Responsibility for event timelines and task allocation to team members as required.
• Supplier sourcing, contract negotiation and management of relationships with venues and key contractors.
• Knowledge and understanding of venue contract and terms and conditions terminology.
• Consult with the event team on production, marketing, sales, and finance to ensure maximum awareness of all event elements.
• Production and timely communication of correct and detailed technical information for exhibitors, including producing an exhibitor manual/zone.
• Ensure delivery and fulfilment of all sponsorship and exhibitor packages as sold by the portfolios for stands, branding, branded items, features etc.
• Design and manage the floor plans, the event signage and showguide.
• Management of health and safety issues and decisions; compiling a full and comprehensive health and safety file for all events including risk assessments and Construction Phase Plan, ensuring all documents are thoroughly checked and verified.
• Post show evaluation and development.
• Attend training courses as directed by your Line Manager.
• Collaborate with other operations teams across the business and take part in working groups.
• Available to travel worldwide.
• Flexible to work long hours in the run up to an event when required.

Staff Management:

• Day to day management of up to one junior operations team member.
• Demonstrate clear and effective communication of ideas and processes to reporting staff.
• Coach, encourage and inspire reporting staff with ideas, objectives, and goals to improve their personal performance and development.
• Monitor daily tasks within your team ensuring completion of tasks to agreed timelines.
• Evaluate reporting staff progress, and report this up to Head of Operations.
• Complete staff appraisals, as necessary.
• Able to identify and assist management with improvement and implementation of best practice.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours:

• Proven experience in the international conference and exhibition industry.
• Experience in designing and coordinating feature builds for exhibitions.
• Experience of working on multiple projects at one time.
• Proven experience of creating and managing event operations budget, future planning, forecasting, and delivering on target.
• Familiar with e-Guide and g-Guide and experience of managing onsite Health & Safety.
• Health & Safety Course qualification - preferably IOSH Managing Safely.
• Ability to think outside the box and produce innovative ideas to ensure events stand out.
• Analytical thinking to continually assess and improve processes.
• Keen to embrace and learn new technology and IT systems.
• Self-motivated, pro-active, and takes on responsibility.
• Ability to meet deadlines and resolve problems under pressure.
• Strong social and communication skills.
• A customer-first mind-set.
• An astute negotiator.
• Good attention to detail.
• Effective time management.

About Clarion Events

Clarion Events is one of the world’s leading event organisers, producing and delivering innovative and market-leading events since 1947. (https://clarionevents.com/welcome)

Clarion Events embrace diversity and equal opportunities in all that we do. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Clarion is private equity backed and owned by Blackstone. Blackstone is one of the world’s leading global investment funds, investing capital for the long term in order to build successful, resilient businesses. (https://www.blackstone.com/)

Our purpose is to deliver exceptional customer outcomes and experiences, by making every connection count.

Our vision is we want every one of our products to be a market leader in customer satisfaction and delight.

Benefits

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• End of year wellbeing shutdown (closed for the last week of the year)
• Celebration day off (e.g. birthday, Diwali, Eid, etc)
• Summer Hours in August (3pm finish on Fridays)
• Helping Our World (HOW) Days – one paid day per quarter to carry out charity work
• Pension Scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• Health Cash Plan
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – a 24/7, 365-day confidential helpline
• Subsidised Café
• Season Ticket Loan
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Free on-site gym and shower facilities
• Free eyesight tests
• Free flu vaccination – offered on site once a year for all employees