Event Operations Specialist

Wood Mackenzie•Houston, TX

14h•Hybrid

About The Position

Wood Mackenzie is seeking an Event Operations Specialist to join their Global Events team in Houston. This role is part of the Go To Market organization within Marketing and works alongside Sales. Reporting to the Global Head of Operations, the specialist will be crucial for the successful delivery of the company's event strategy, ensuring flawless execution of event logistics for a diverse portfolio. The role involves end-to-end logistics management for integrated marketing events, including proprietary events, third-party exhibitions and conferences, and commercial conferences. These events are key to the company's growth agenda and run over multiple days. The specialist will manage multiple events concurrently, collaborating cross-functionally with marketing, sales, brand and creative, content, and product marketing teams to ensure events generate measurable ROI through lead generation and business growth. This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives in a high-growth, fast-moving environment, possesses strong organizational and budget management skills, and is confident in decision-making and articulating their rationale. The role requires taking ownership of events, ensuring project teams meet plans and timelines, and that every detail contributes to a high-quality attendee experience and commercial impact. International travel may be required to support global event delivery.

Requirements

Proven experience in an event operations or event logistics role, delivering high-quality events within a fast-paced, growth-focused organisation.
Demonstrated ability to independently own and manage all elements of events from concept through to execution and measurement, including project management, vendor selection and negotiation, production, budget management, stakeholder coordination and post-event reporting.
Highly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to successfully manage multiple, competing priorities and events simultaneously.
Experience collaborating cross-functionally with teams such as marketing, sales, brand and creative, content and product marketing, including working across different time zones.
A proactive team player who will take ownership and contribute to wider operational goals and team success.
Confident and clear communicator with strong written and verbal communication skills, able to articulate decisions and the rationale behind them to stakeholders.
Comfortable working in a dynamic environment, able to prioritise effectively, adapt quickly, change direction when required and make sound decisions under pressure.
Strong vendor management and negotiation skills, with a track record of delivering events on budget while maximising ROI.
Resilient, calm under pressure and able to manage setbacks while maintaining delivery standards and timelines.
Strong customer focus, with a passion for creating engaging, high-quality and memorable event experiences that drive business results.
Hands-on experience with event and project management tools and systems such as Cvent (or equivalent), Salesforce, Asana or similar platforms.
Experience using event apps and a strong interest in event technology, with the ability to apply new tools and innovations to improve event delivery and measurement.
Willing and able to travel domestically and internationally, including occasional weekends, and work flexible hours as required to support event delivery.

Responsibilities

Own and deliver all operational and logistical aspects of the events managed within the global events portfolio, ensuring high-quality execution from concept through to completion.
Lead event project management, including setting timelines, scheduling and chairing project meetings, tracking progress and actions (e.g. via Asana or similar tools), and ensuring cross-functional teams deliver against agreed plans.
Manage multiple events concurrently, applying best-practice event operations, tools and processes to deliver efficiently in a fast-paced, growth-focused environment.
Plan and manage event budgets for assigned events, including forecasting, tracking spend, controlling costs and ensuring strong return on investment.
Deliver a mix of event formats as part of integrated marketing plans, including proprietary events, third-party exhibitions and conferences, large commercial conferences (including multi-day events), client events and internal events.
Work closely with stakeholders across Marketing, Sales, Brand & Creative, Content and Product Marketing to align on event objectives, messaging, communications and overall event strategy.
Lead vendor management, including supplier selection, contract negotiation and performance management, to ensure events are delivered on budget and to a high standard while maximising ROI.
Successfully deliver third-party events that support business growth objectives, including lead generation, cross-sell, upsell and new business opportunities.
Coordinate on-site and off-site staffing requirements, including briefing internal teams and ensuring effective internal communications before, during and after events.
Track, report and analyse event performance metrics (e.g. leads, pipeline contribution and growth impact) to support data-driven decision making and continuous improvement in event delivery.
Contribute to team innovation by bringing forward new ideas, formats and operational improvements, leveraging emerging trends and opportunities to keep the events programme competitive and effective.
Support international event delivery as required, including overseas travel to ensure successful execution of priority events.