Senior Operations Manager

Senior Operations Manager – Global B2B Events / Aviation Ground Handling

Hybrid: (Dartford nr Bluewater), 3 days in the office
Salary: up to £45,000, depending on experience and company benefits .
Contract: Permanent, full-time

As Senior Operations Manager, you will play a key role in producing high-quality global B2B events across Ground Handling International’s events portfolio, including the GHI Conferences and GSE Expo Europe.

This is a role for someone who wants ownership, exposure and the chance to keep developing. You will be trusted to make things happen, encouraged to contribute ideas, and supported to build your skills in a specialist media business with genuine career pathways. Our size and range of brands mean you can build specialist knowledge, work with experienced colleagues and develop your career across different markets, products and teams.

What you’ll be doing

• Take end-to-end responsibility for the operational delivery of all GHI events globally, including the GHI Conferences and GSE Expo Europe.

• Ensure events are delivered on time, within budget and to a consistently high quality standard.

• Lead onsite event delivery, acting as the senior operational decision-maker and ensuring seamless execution.

• Oversee all technical and logistical elements of events, ensuring smooth and efficient delivery.

• Manage and reconcile event budgets, maintaining strong cost control and negotiating with suppliers to achieve best value without compromising quality.

• Collaborate with Sales to optimise floorplans and support revenue opportunities.

• Contribute to post-event reporting, analysing operational performance, costs and opportunities for improvement.

• Act as a key operational contact for industry partners and associations, ensuring expectations are met and exceeded.

• Work closely with internal teams, including sales, marketing and design, to deliver cohesive and successful events.

• Develop and deliver event signage plans, working closely with design teams and suppliers.

• Identify process improvements and drive operational efficiencies across the portfolio.

• Line manage one direct report and contribute as a senior member of the wider operations team.

• Ensure health and safety, risk management and compliance across international events.

As a senior role, you will also:

• Set clear operational priorities across the GHI events portfolio and translate them into effective delivery plans.

• Take accountability for operational budgets, supplier performance and event delivery standards.

• Lead, coach and support one direct report while contributing to the wider success of the operations team.

Must-haves:

• Strong operational events experience, with proven ability to deliver B2B conferences and exhibitions end to end.

• Confidence working with internal stakeholders, suppliers, partners and senior-level contacts in a live event environment.

• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Commercial awareness, including experience managing budgets, costs and supplier negotiations.

• Confidence leading in live, high-pressure event environments and making sound decisions under pressure.

• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills.

• A detail-focused, proactive and adaptable approach with a strong commitment to quality delivery.

Nice-to-haves:

• 5+ years’ experience delivering B2B conferences and/or exhibitions.

• Experience working on international events.

• Experience collaborating closely with commercial teams to support revenue opportunities, including floorplan optimisation.

• Experience or an interest within aviation, transport, logistics or another specialist B2B market.

• Experience managing signage production and wider event supplier coordination.

If you do not meet every requirement but bring transferable skills, sound judgement and fresh thinking, we encourage you to apply.

Why join Mark Allen Group?

Mark Allen is a specialist media business with more than 40 years of experience building trusted brands for professional audiences. You will join a business that combines respected legacy brands with the need to keep evolving, giving you the chance to contribute ideas, improve how we work and see the impact of what you do.

We offer:

• Hybrid working.

• Real ownership in your role.

• Development through hands-on learning, mentoring and internal progression.

• Exposure to specialist markets and loyal professional audiences.

• A culture shaped by our values : Passionate, Creative, Nurturing and Fair .

How to apply

Apply through our careers site with your CV including a cover letter sharing what attracted you to the role and what you would bring to it.

A video introduction is completely optional and will not disadvantage your application.

Right to work: Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK . We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

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