Group Operations Manager - 6 Month FTC

As Group Operations Manager you will be responsible for overseeing the professional operational delivery of events, features and projects within your vertical market(s). You will ensure that all are delivered to the highest possible standards and to the satisfaction of all parties involved consistently throughout the year.

You will be the main Operational point of contact for the commercial teams and senior leaders in your vertical market(s), you will also be a key member of the EMEA operations management team and will be expected to forge strong links and achieve process alignment & operational synergy within the EMEA ops team across the region as well as globally where applicable in your vertical(s).

In collaboration with the Regional Operations Director EMEA, you will be responsible for the resourcing and scheduling of the operations team members for the events within your vertical and will line manage a number of reports on a day to day basis as well as remotely manage local Operations team members globally where applicable for your vertical(s), each of these team members may be allocated across multiple events throughout the year requiring you to work alongside other members of the operations management team to effectively balance workloads & priorities for each team member individually.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Management & Leadership:

• Manage, mentor & develop line reports & others within the EMEA Operations team and regionally on a global basis as applicable, aiding retention thus ensuring team staffing levels are maintained at optimum levels
• Setting, monitoring and management of direct reports’ annual KPIs and performance objectives.
• Ongoing monitoring and management of performance for all line reports according to company standards at all times.
• Regular & effective 1-2-1 meetings with Event Directors, Sales Directors, Customer Service team and any other key stakeholders within your vertical(s) market to ensure accurate planning and strategic direction to maximise operational performance
• Share your best practice examples with other teams in order to enhance their capabilities and to create a more consistent ‘Informa experience’ regionally and globally.
• Monitor best practice in other companies and bring your insights to Informa in order to keep us ahead of the competition
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Show-specific tasks

• Attendance & contribution at event strategy days for each event within the vertical(s) market.
• Post event KPI Reporting and analysis with ability to set objectives for team members to improve service delivery YOY.
• In collaboration with the Procurement team, monitor the ongoing performance of key contractors and troubleshoot / identify remedial action as required on events.

Compliance / legal / H&S / Sustainability

• Contribute to the Head of Procurement’s work with legal teams in the drafting, amending and agreeing of all relevant contracts to ensure they meet operational requirements for your portfolio of events within the vertical(s).
• Adhere to all compliance requirements and monitor supplier performance to ensure they are meeting our requirements
• Collaborate with Head of Technical Services and Group HSS to ensure suppliers meet and exceed our H&S requirements. Work on remedial measures where necessary with your allocated Operations team members.
• Be an active partner of the sustainability team and look for opportunities to support and enhance our sustainability initiatives.

Essential

• An expert understanding of events, at both the strategic and detailed, technical level with a working knowledge of the exhibition industry, venues and contractors
• Ability to take a strategic view, and to flit seamlessly between granular detail and long-term vision on a day to day basis
• Must have independently and successfully managed operations on large events to a consistently high standard.
• Experience of managing, supporting & developing multiple line reports.
• Strong existing network of high-quality suppliers to the exhibition industry
• Effective communication skills – being able to liaise with Operations team members as well as working with & reporting to Director Level individuals throughout the vertical(s).
• Familiarity with good procurement practices
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire and motivate others, thinking outside the box for creative solutions.
• Ability to anticipate problems and/or put contingency plans in place
• A proven ability to work to tight deadlines, with attention to detail under pressure is a pre requisite.
• Flexibility and adaptability with a willingness to travel
• Proven knowledge of exhibition H&S Guidelines and implementation.
• Computer literate and proficient in the use of commonly used business software
• Effective verbal and written English communication skills
• IOSH Managing Safety Certificate