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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