Head of Events

This role is primarily based at our 125 Deansgate office in Manchester, with the option to be based at our Blackfriars office in London.

The Head of Events is a leadership position responsible for planning and executing major global events within the Routes portfolio. This role involves managing a dedicated team to deliver all event management, operational, and travel requirements. A key focus is on building and maintaining strong relationships with hosts, the portfolio's largest external partners, to achieve their objectives and oversee events and financial responsibilities. Additionally, the role is accountable for managing cost budgets and directly contributing to the business's operational profit targets.

The role focuses on supporting the strategy and growth of the Routes portfolio, delivering excellence and innovation, and providing event delivery leadership. This individual will be responsible for cost management, event and operational delivery, and continual improvement of both the customer journey and the sustainable evolution of the Routes portfolio. As part of the cross-functional leadership team, the role will contribute to the overall brand and portfolio goals, ensuring the continued success and growth of Routes events.

Experience leading event teams in business-to-business exhibitions and conferences is essential. While knowledge of the aviation sector is advantageous, it is not required.

Role Accountability and Duties:

Strategy & Growth

• Develop a deep understanding of the aviation markets within route development to curate and deliver global events that exceed the needs of niche customer personas.
• Drive revenue generation through innovative and effective product development and delivery, ensuring operational profit targets are consistently met.
• Achieve financial, operational, and customer-oriented event objectives, including profitability, customer experience, brand eminence, and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate on the strategic layout of events, including floor plans, product offerings, and commercial opportunities.
• Provide event management and operational insights to support the analysis and assessment of future event host destinations, including conducting host visits, venue assessments, and advising on host contracts.
• Serve as a member of the leadership team, contributing to business direction, event plans, budgets, three-year plans (3YP), and special projects.

Excellence & Innovation

• Enhance customer journeys to strengthen the market-leading position of Routes events and improve customer satisfaction and NPS scores.
• Drive operational improvements across the portfolio, focusing on event management and host delivery processes.
• Contribute to revenue generation through innovative product development and delivery, ensuring operational profit targets are achieved.
• Collaborate with the wider Informa business to adopt best practices for platform and system integration, including development plans and training rollouts.
• Lead event teams in delivering and maintaining event sustainability and inclusivity standards in line with Informa’s Fundamentals benchmark.
• Support the integration of event insights into broader customer journey mapping, brand development, and event enhancement initiatives.

Event Delivery Leadership

• Oversee and manage all aspects of event management, operational delivery, and travel management for the Routes portfolio and associated brand events.
• Manage the event P&L with accountability for cost forecasting, cost management, and financial reporting.
• Lead and directly manage a team to plan, prepare, and execute a portfolio of global events.
• Build and maintain strategic, long-term relationships with host partners and stakeholders to achieve event KPIs, host objectives, and financial targets.
• Account manage host delivery requirements to ensure alignment with business goals, brand prominence, and the needs of the aviation communities served.
• Negotiate and manage venue, contractor, and supplier contracts to ensure seamless event delivery.
• Manage event project plans and timelines across all delivery functions.
• Oversee operational support, customer service, and transport and housing logistics, collaborating with Informa PLC shared services to manage global and event-specific contracts, such as logistics and event builds.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting on event KPIs and forecasts.
• Perform additional tasks as required.