Director – central events management division

Position Summary

The Director – Central Events Management Division (CEMD) shall provide strategic leadership for planning, coordinating and executing all University events. The incumbent will be responsible for delivering world-class events through meticulous planning, operational excellence, stakeholder collaboration, financial prudence, risk management and continuous innovation. The role demands the ability to lead multiple high-impact events simultaneously while ensuring quality, safety, branding and exceptional participant experience.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

Develop and implement the University's annual event strategy and master event calendar. Establish SOPs, quality standards and best practices for event management. Drive innovation and continuous improvement across all event operations.

2. Event Planning & Execution

Lead end-to-end planning and execution of all institutional events including Orientation Programme Convocations, Conferences, Government & VIP Visits, Alumni Meets, Corporate Events, Academic Functions and other University events. Ensure seamless execution of:

Event planning and scheduling Venue and stage management Technical production Rehearsals Protocol and hospitality Registration and audience management Event documentation and post-event review

3. Project & Operations Management

Develop detailed execution plans, timelines and responsibility matrices. Monitor project milestones and operational readiness. Ensure timely availability of resources, infrastructure and logistics. Lead event control room operations and contingency planning.

4. Stakeholder & Team Leadership

Coordinate with University leadership, academic departments, administration and external agencies. Lead and mentor the CEMD team, production crew, anchors, coordinators, volunteers and vendors. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and operational excellence.

5. Budget & Vendor Management

Prepare and monitor event budgets. Optimize resource utilization and control costs. Lead vendor selection, negotiations, contract management and performance evaluation. 6. Branding, Safety & Compliance Ensure consistency in university branding and participant experience. Maintain compliance with safety protocols, statutory requirements and institutional policies. Oversee crowd management, emergency preparedness and risk mitigation.

7. Reporting & Continuous Improvement

Prepare event calendars, readiness reports, budgets and post-event analysis. Conduct event audits and implement corrective actions. Benchmark national and international best practices to enhance University events.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Timely execution of the approved event calendar. Zero major operational failures during events. Budget adherence and optimal resource utilization. High stakeholder and participant satisfaction. Compliance with quality, safety and governance standards. Effective management of multiple concurrent events. Continuous process improvement and innovation.

Educational Qualification

Master's Degree in Event Management, Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Mass Communication, Public Relations, Operations Management or a related discipline from a recognized institution. Certification in Project Management (PMP/PRINCE2) or Professional Event Management.

Experience

12–15 years of experience in large-scale event management. Minimum 5 years in a leadership role managing institutional, corporate or government events. Proven experience in planning and executing large, high-profile events involving multiple stakeholders and complex logistics. Experience in higher education institutions will be preferred. Strategic Planning & Execution Leadership & Team Management Project & Operations Management Stakeholder & Vendor Management Budget & Resource Management Crisis & Risk Management Communication & Negotiation Skills Decision Making & Problem Solving Innovation & Continuous Improvement High Integrity, Professionalism and Ownership Working Conditions Willingness to work beyond regular office hours, weekends and holidays based on event schedules. Ability to perform under pressure and manage multiple priorities. Travel as required for official assignments.

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