Events Manager

Maropost

About The Position

Retail Global is seeking an experienced, hands-on Events Manager to provide 12 months of maternity leave coverage for its Head of Events. The role plans, coordinates and delivers key events across Australia, including Retail Fest, the All Star Bash awards, industry summits and executive events. The Events Manager will step into an established events calendar, own operational delivery and collaborate with commercial, marketing and editorial teams. This is a delivery-focused position suited to someone who is highly organised, commercially aware and comfortable managing several major events simultaneously. The role includes end-to-end event operations, budget and supplier management, sponsorship fulfilment, event technology and stakeholder coordination. Success means taking ownership of the event portfolio, maintaining strong supplier and stakeholder relationships, delivering events within agreed budgets and timelines, and ensuring continuity of operations throughout the 12-month coverage period.

Requirements

At least five years' experience in event management.
Experience delivering large-scale conferences, exhibitions or business events.
Strong project management, budgeting and supplier negotiation skills.
Ability to manage competing priorities and multiple event timelines.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Comfortable working independently and making operational decisions.
Willingness to travel interstate.

Nice To Haves

Experience with hosted buyer or B2B meeting programs.
Familiarity with event technology, CRM and registration platforms.
Experience working with commercial sponsorship teams.
Exposure to retail, ecommerce, media or technology events.

Responsibilities

Manage end-to-end operational delivery of assigned events.
Develop and maintain event timelines, production schedules, run sheets and checklists.
Coordinate venues, catering, AV, production, entertainment and logistics.
Oversee registrations, attendee experience, ticketing and onsite operations.
Manage speaker, exhibitor, sponsor and VIP logistics.
Lead onsite event execution and post-event reviews.
Manage approved event budgets and monitor expenditure.
Negotiate with and manage suppliers and contractors.
Work with the partnerships team to fulfil contracted sponsorship deliverables.
Identify opportunities to improve event efficiency and manage costs.
Promptly escalate financial or operational risks.
Manage event operations using Grip, the event technology platform.
Coordinate with marketing on event communications and registration campaigns.
Maintain clear documentation, schedules and operational reporting.
Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders.
Maintain appropriate handover documentation and processes.
Manage operational delivery of the All Star Bash awards event, including production, venue logistics, sponsorship fulfilment, guest experience, seating plans, entertainment and event-day coordination.
Take operational ownership of Retail Fest, including exhibition logistics, supplier coordination, registration, hosted meetings, sponsor fulfilment, speaker logistics and onsite delivery.
Coordinate planning and delivery of industry summits, including the Sydney Retail Media Summit, and prepare operational plans for subsequent events.
Support executive breakfasts, networking functions and additional events as required across the Retail Global calendar.
Maintain supplier and stakeholder relationships and deliver events within agreed budgets and timelines.