Operations Manager

Submission Deadline: 30 January 2025

About the Role: Reed is recruiting on behalf of a leading company in the energy and gas sector. We are seeking an experience and high performing Operations Manager to join their dynamic team.

This role is perfect for a professional with 3-5 years of experience in managing large-scale exhibitions or conferences. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and excel at managing complex budgets, supplier negotiations, and dynamic event requirements, we want to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

• Integrate quickly with the team and understand the event structure, key drivers, and supplier relationships.
• Manage suppliers, including briefing, design, cost negotiations, and overseeing deliverables for features and builds.
• Handle operational budgets, often exceeding £500,000 per area, ensuring accurate cost tracking and reporting.
• Adaptively manage challenges related to changing floor plans, new venues, and dynamic senior management requests.
• Build new relationships with suppliers, contractors, and venues for each event cycle due to location changes.

Ideal Candidate:

• Proven experience in exhibitions or conferences, preferably with major event organizers.
• A history of working on large-scale events, particularly exhibitions, with the ability to manage complexities such as venue changes, large budgets, and high stakeholder scrutiny.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of operational experience in a related field is essential. Experience as a Senior Operations Executive operating at an Ops Manager level is acceptable.

Technical Skills:

• Familiarity with AutoCAD or equivalent software for floor plan design and layout is preferred but not critical. Training can be provided.
• Basic knowledge of Salesforce to raise purchase orders and manage supplier profiles.
• Strong project management skills, with an emphasis on practical experience over certifications.

Key Attributes:

• Highly adaptable: Can adjust to dynamic event requirements, senior management feedback, and unforeseen challenges.
• Strong negotiation skills: Proven ability to manage budgets effectively and secure favourable terms with suppliers.
• Excellent communication and collaboration: Can build and maintain internal and external relationships quickly and effectively.
• A problem-solver with the ability to manage last-minute changes while ensuring high standards.
• Works well under scrutiny, particularly on flagship events where attention to detail is paramount.

Health and Safety:

• Should have an IOSH certification.
• Familiarity with creating and implementing health and safety protocols based on provided templates.

Stakeholder Management:

• Internal: VP, Head of Operations, Sales, Marketing, and other department heads for cross-collaboration on event deliverables.
• External: Venue representatives, contractors, suppliers, and exhibitors as needed.

Performance Metrics:

• Meeting self-imposed and team deadlines to ensure event deliverables are on track.
• Successfully delivering assigned event features or functions within budget and to stakeholder satisfaction.
• Negotiating costs effectively to achieve or exceed budget expectations.
• Building relationships and trust with internal and external stakeholders.

Non-Negotiables:

• Must have prior experience in exhibitions or conferences.
• Ability to hit the ground running without extensive micromanagement.
• Must demonstrate evidence of managing budgets, suppliers, and event deliverables at a high standard.

If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge and contribute to the success of a major event in the energy and gas sector, apply now!