Senior Operations Executive - Conferences

Informa Markets, a division within Informa, creates global platforms for industries. We organise over 500 large-scale branded and transaction-oriented events in 14 specialist markets. These are typically not-to-be-missed annual events where buyers and sellers build relationships, see and show products and do business.

We also provide year-round online platforms where companies showcase their businesses and products and buyers conduct research, generating valuable leads, and we provide data and digital content that supports the flow of knowledge and transactions in markets.

Reports to:
Operations Manager – Conferences

The Role

As part of the role, the Senior Operations Executive supports the Operations Manager(s) in the implementation of the operational aspects of their assigned events, including the planning, coordination, and execution of all aspects of conference logistics and event delivery.
You will be a highly organized, self-motivated, and efficient individual. You can work independently to meet deadlines and targets and achieve operational process synergy across a variety of event portfolios simultaneously.

Job Summary / Responsibilities:

Operational Duties

• Event Delivery: Manage and deliver high-quality conferences.
• Event Coordination: Provide comprehensive support for the planning and delivering conferences, including coordinating with venue, vendors, speakers, sponsors, and internal teams.
• Logistics Management: Help oversee all logistical aspects of the conference, including venue arrangements, room setups, audiovisual requirements, signage, temporary staff, and catering.
• Vendor Management: Coordinate with external vendors (e.g., caterers, AV teams, decorators, etc.) to ensure all services are delivered on time and within budget. Monitor vendor performance during the event.
• Speaker Travel Coordination: Plan and manage the entire travel process for speakers, including booking flights, accommodation, ground transportation, and any other travel-related requirements.
• Travel Budget Management: Ensure all travel arrangements are made within budget guidelines, identifying cost-effective travel solutions without compromising quality.
• Budget and Financial Support: Manage event costs and ensure conference operations delivery are completed within budget. Ensure that budget timelines are met and files are updated in a timely manner. Support vendor and supplier invoicing and payment processes.
• Event Permit and Industry Regulatory Compliance Management:  Support event permit compliance by ensuring all required permits, including speaker permits, are obtained on time. Manage the Mecomed industry event-compliant applications.

General team support and additional areas of responsibility:

• Ensure you are working within the company’s H&S, Security & Sustainability guidelines at all times.
• Assisting with the implementation of internal and external Service Level Agreements.
• Perform any other duties commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility when requested by senior members of the Operations team.

Qualities needed for the role

• A minimum of 6-12 months at Operations Executive level within the conference production or event management industry.
• Working knowledge of the industry, venues, and contractors.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Accurate and precise attention to detail.
• Able to demonstrate a proactive approach and take initiative, anticipating needs.
• Ability and willingness to travel to events as required.

Qualities needed for culture fit

• Collaborative with the ability to work autonomously.
• Optimistic and calm when under pressure.
• Ability and willingness to work additional hours and over the weekend if required to deliver an event.

Skills required

• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word.
• Forward thinking, solution-minded problem solver, flexible and pragmatic.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written skills in English.
• Fluent in English; any other language would be appreciated.

Desired

• Bonus: Previous experience with Event Management, Professional Congress Organisers, Digital/Event Marketing.
• Bonus: Experience with SAP.
• Desirable: IOSH Managing Safety Certificate.

We work hard to make sure Life at Informa is rewarding, supportive and enjoyable for everyone. Here’s some of what you can expect when you join us. But don’t just take our word for it – see what our colleagues have to say at LifeAt.Informa.com

Our benefits include: 

• Freedom & flexibility: colleagues rate us highly for the trust they receive and most of us balance time in the office with time working remotely and flexibly 
• Time out: 25 days annual leave, plus a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year
• Broader impact: take up to four days per year to volunteer
• Great community: a welcoming culture with in-person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World team day and active diversity and inclusion networks
•  Annual Flight entitlement after completing 1 year service paid as a cash amount 
• A comprehensive company funded private medical insurance with optical and dental coverage 
• A ShareMatch scheme that allows you to become an Informa shareholder from the start of your employment, and benefit from free matching shares
•  Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programmes
• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, and access to health apps and more 
• Career opportunity: the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms and on-demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning. When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves
• As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world

We’re not solely focused on a checklist of skills. We champion energy and ambition and look for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up, join in and help make things happen. If it sounds like a match and you have most – although not all – of the skills and experience listed, we welcome your application.

At Informa, you'll find inclusive experiences and environments where all perspectives and backgrounds are welcomed. As part of this approach and our diversity and inclusion commitments, we are also formally an Equal Opportunities Employer. This means we base decisions on relevant qualifications and merit and do not discriminate on the basis of key characteristics and statuses, including all of those protected by law. Ask us or see our website for full information.

See how Informa handles your personal data when you apply for a job here.