Venue Management Manager

Role Summary Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Contract Type: Freelance / Fixed-Term Contract Start Date: ASAP End Date: 18 March 2027 Work Arrangement: Full-time, onsite We are seeking an experienced Venue Management Manager to support the operational management and coordination of event venues in Riyadh for a major large-scale sporting event. The successful candidate will support the day-to-day readiness and operation of assigned venues, working closely with venue operations teams, contractors, suppliers, functional departments, and other stakeholders to ensure venues are fully prepared and operating efficiently throughout the event lifecycle. This is a highly operational and coordination-focused role requiring strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced event environment. Key Responsibilities • Support the overall operational management and readiness of assigned venues. • Coordinate with venue stakeholders, contractors, suppliers, and functional teams to ensure venue requirements are delivered on time. • Monitor venue readiness across operational, logistical, infrastructure, and service requirements. • Conduct regular venue inspections and identify issues, gaps, and outstanding requirements. • Coordinate the resolution of operational issues and escalate critical matters to the relevant management team. • Support venue mobilisation, preparation, live event operations, and demobilisation activities. • Coordinate with functional areas including security, cleaning, waste management, technology, transport, facilities, accreditation, catering, and other venue services. • Ensure venue operational plans, schedules, checklists, and procedures are implemented effectively. • Support the coordination of venue access, loading/unloading, deliveries, storage, and operational movements. • Monitor contractors and service providers to ensure agreed requirements and service levels are met. • Maintain regular communication with internal and external stakeholders and provide updates on venue readiness and operational issues. • Support daily venue briefings, coordination meetings, and operational reporting. • Maintain accurate records of venue issues, actions, risks, and outstanding requirements. • Assist with event-day operations and ensure venue activities run smoothly and according to agreed plans. • Respond to operational issues during live events and coordinate with the relevant teams for timely resolution. • Support emergency, incident, and contingency procedures in coordination with the appropriate venue teams. • Ensure all venue operations comply with relevant health, safety, security, and operational requirements. • Support post-event closeout, reinstatement, and demobilisation activities. • Perform any other venue management and operational coordination duties as required. Required Skills • 7+ years of experience in venue management, event operations, venue operations, facilities management, or a related field. • Previous experience working on large-scale sporting events, exhibitions, entertainment events, or major public venues is highly desirable. • Strong experience coordinating multiple operational teams, contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders. • Good understanding of venue operations, event delivery, and operational readiness. • Strong organisational and project coordination skills. • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. • Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities. • Hands-on approach with strong attention to detail. • Ability to work effectively under pressure during live event operations. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. • Must currently be based in Saudi Arabia. • Must be based in Riyadh or able to work onsite in Riyadh for the full contract period. • Must be available to start ASAP and commit until 18 March 2027. Additional Notes This is a full-time, onsite position in Riyadh. The role will require flexibility to work extended hours, evenings, weekends, and public holidays, particularly during live event periods. The successful candidate should be comfortable working in a dynamic, high-pressure environment and coordinating multiple venue activities simultaneously. Show more Show less

Must currently be based in Saudi Arabia; Must be based in Riyadh or able to work onsite in Riyadh for the full contract period; 7+ years of experience in venue management, event operations, facilities management, or a related field.

Support the overall operational management and readiness of assigned venues. Coordinate with venue stakeholders, contractors, suppliers, and functional teams to ensure venue requirements are delivered on time. Monitor venue readiness across operational, logistical, infrastructure, and service requirements. Conduct regular venue inspections and identify issues, gaps, and outstanding requirements. Coordinate the resolution of operational issues and escalate critical matters to the relevant management team. Support venue mobilisation, preparation, live event operations, and demobilisation activities. Coordinate with functional areas including security, cleaning, waste management, technology, transport, facilities, accreditation, catering, and other venue services. Ensure venue operational plans, schedules, checklists, and procedures are implemented effectively. Support the coordination of venue access, loading/unloading, deliveries, storage, and operational movements. Monitor contractors and service providers to ensure agreed requirements and service levels are met. Maintain regular communication with internal and external stakeholders and provide updates on venue readiness and operational issues. Support daily venue briefings, coordination meetings, and operational reporting. Maintain accurate records of venue issues, actions, risks, and outstanding requirements. Assist with event-day operations and ensure venue activities run smoothly and according to agreed plans. Respond to operational issues during live events and coordinate with the relevant teams for timely resolution. Support emergency, incident, and contingency procedures in coordination with the appropriate venue teams. Ensure all venue operations comply with relevant health, safety, security, and operational requirements. Support post-event closeout, reinstatement, and demobilisation activities. Perform any other venue management and operational coordination duties as required.