Director Events

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 Essential: • Master's Degree in Event Management, Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Mass Communication, Public Relations, Operations Management or a related discipline from a recognized institution. Desirable: • 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. Core Competencies: • 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