Vice President - Events & Experiences

JOB PURPOSE

As Vice President of Events & Experiences, you will lead a best-in-class events team that delivers over 370 events globally for Aldar every year. These encompass major product launches, activations, and client hospitality across Aldar's vast property portfolio from London to Dubai to Beijing. You will be responsible for the strategy, execution, and continuous improvement of Aldar's events capabilities in order to drive brand awareness, customer engagement, and real estate sales.

Reporting to the Marketing Director, you will manage a team of 2 direct reports overseeing event production, vendor relations, and measurement/analytics. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring sharp business acumen, relentless drive for flawless execution, and ability to inspire high-performance in a fast-paced environment. The Events & Experiences team plays a crucial part in bringing Aldar’s purpose to life all over the world.

Please note, this role is for UAE NATIONAL ONLY.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Planning

1. Partner with marketing, sales, PR, and other groups across Aldar to develop and execute a global events strategy aligned to business goals including increasing NPS and satisfaction.
2. Design the overarching framework, calendar, budget, resource plan for 350+ annual events.
3. Identify event opportunities to elevate brand, showcase properties, support sales campaigns, and deepen customer/broker relationships.
4. Build 3 year strategic plan for events agency infrastructure to deliver growing portfolio.
5. Continuously assess event portfolio performance, identify improvement areas, and refine strategy based on outcomes achieved.

Event Production & Execution

1. Direct all aspects of flawless event execution including concept development, RFP process, vendor selection, contract negotiations, venue design, technical production, entertainment, F&B, risk management.
2. Develop best practice briefing process, provide timely feedback on concepts, and approve all final creative/production elements.
3. Manage CRM system holding all event plans, assets, contracts, budgets and archives.

Team Leadership & People Management

1. Attract, develop and retain top creative talent to drive best-in-class event capabilities.
2. Foster a culture of innovation, excellence and customer-centricity.
3. Provide coaching and leadership to motivate optimal individual performance.
4. Drive coordination across marketing, sales, PR, procurement, and properties to align on event goals and execution.

Measurement & Reporting

1. Establish KPIs and reporting standards for all events including satisfaction, NPS, engagement metrics, sales pipeline created.
2. Conduct post-event evaluations, identify key learnings, and refine future event strategies.
3. Share post-event outcomes and future opportunities with stakeholders.
4. Manage event measurement agency relationships.

Financial Management

1. Develop and maintain annual events budget tracking all expenses vs. forecasts.
2. Negotiate vendor contracts to deliver optimal value/experience tradeoff.
3. Continuously identify ways to achieve more event impact per dollar spent and maximize conversion.

External Relations

1. Enhance Aldar’s reputation in events industry through hosting site visits.
2. Represent Aldar brand by attending prominent industry events and building executive relationships.
3. Scout new event tech, vendors, venues and ideas by maintaining networks.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

RELATED YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 10+ years leading strategic events; 5+ years large-scale event production experience with cross-functional team oversight.

FIELD OF EXPERIENCE: Live events - launches, conferences, activations; Events marketing strategy; Sponsorship activation; Experiential brand/immersive environments.

TECHNICAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

• Influential stakeholder manager
• Budget management skills
• Strategic planning vision
• Excellent communicator – written and verbal
• Innovative problem-solver
• Attention to detail and flawless execution

QUALIFICATION(S): Bachelor’s Degree; Event management certification such as CMP (ideal); Technology savviness on latest event tools/platforms; Ability to travel globally as required.