Silverstone
Senior Event Operations Manager - CarFest (Fixed Term Contract)
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Department: Public Events
Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time
Location: Silverstone
Reporting To: Head of Public Events
Description
Our Public Events team thrives on adrenaline and energy, working tirelessly year-round to deliver over 40 world-class events—on brief, on time, and within budget. With a calendar more diverse than ever, featuring everything from two wheels to four, we're constantly growing stronger. The return of the FIA World Endurance Championship Series, alongside iconic events like MotoGP and the award-winning CarFest festival, brings the world's best to Silverstone!
When you join us, you’ll hit the ground running. You'll take charge of your own projects, ensuring they meet the high standards expected of a premier venue. It’s not an easy ride, but we guarantee it won’t be boring. You’ll be surrounded by passionate, like-minded teammates who give their all to get the job done. As we continue to expand our exciting program, you’ll play a key role in helping us reach new heights.
CarFest is the UK’s largest family fundraising festival, raising millions for some of the UK’s most amazing children’s charities. The event is packed to the brim with activities and attractions to keep the whole family entertained. As well as the fastest and most breathtaking cars, CarFest promises so much more to keep the whole family entertained! With great live music, an array of celebrity stars adding their sparkle across the site, inspiring wellbeing sessions, famous chefs and cookery demonstrations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Contract: Fixed-Term Contract (11 months, August 2026 – 31 July 2027)
As Senior Event Operations Manager for CarFest, you will play a central role in the planning, design, and delivery of the festival, working closely with the Festival Producer, Festival Director, Head of Public Events, and key internal and external stakeholders to bring the event to life.
You will lead the end-to-end operational delivery of CarFest, with overall accountability for feature and content operations, including budget management, site design and layout, procurement, and the coordination of build, live event, and breakdown phases. You will ensure all elements of the event — from infrastructure and partnerships to creative execution and customer experience — are seamlessly integrated and delivered to the highest standard.
You will own and drive the event project plan within Wrike, ensuring all workstreams are clearly defined, effectively managed, and delivered on time through strong cross-functional collaboration and accountability.
As a senior leader within the team, you will provide line management and direction to the CarFest team, ensuring high performance across all areas of planning and delivery. You will also act as a key point of contact for stakeholders, sponsors, the Safety Officer, and Health & Safety teams, ensuring compliance, safety, and contractual obligations are met.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring a highly organised, commercially aware professional with proven experience delivering large-scale live events, and the ability to balance operational excellence with creative ambition while driving continuous improvement year-on-year.
Silverstone is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk and expects all team members and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and DBS checks at the appropriate level will be obtained prior to employment commencing.
Key Responsibilities
Event Operations and Delivery Excellence
- Lead the end-to-end operational delivery of CarFest, overseeing all phases including build, live event, and breakdown.
- Take overall accountability for the successful delivery of all event areas, ensuring infrastructure, staging, AV, signage, dressing, structures, and staffing meet the highest standards.
- Ensure all operational elements are cohesively integrated, aligned with event objectives, and delivered safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
- Develop and oversee comprehensive operational plans, production schedules, event timelines, and briefing frameworks, ensuring full alignment with event content, features, and compliance requirements.
- Act as a key point of contact for stakeholders, sponsors, the Safety Officer, and Health & Safety teams, ensuring all safety, regulatory, and contractual obligations are met.
- Lead real-time event operations, working in close collaboration with infrastructure, security, stewarding, and control teams to deliver a safe and seamless live environment.
- Define and implement procurement strategies that deliver cost efficiencies while maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and operational delivery.
- Maintain accountability for budget management, procurement, and overall operational planning across all stages of the event lifecycle.
- Oversee the design and execution of the event floorplan, ensuring layouts are operationally effective, visually engaging, and fully compliant with safety and regulatory requirements.
- Drive cross-functional planning and collaboration across marketing, commercial, content, and operations teams, ensuring all event elements and activations are effectively integrated.
- Oversee the successful delivery of all sponsor and partner requirements, ensuring contractual commitments are met and activations enhance the overall visitor experience.
- Represent operational delivery in internal planning forums, contributing to strategic discussions and decision-making.
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Project Planning and Delivery
- Own and drive the overarching CarFest project plan within Wrike, ensuring all workstreams, timelines, and dependencies are clearly defined and actively managed.
- Use Wrike Project Management Tool to drive accountability across teams, ensuring clear ownership, progress tracking, risk management, and delivery against critical milestones.
- Provide clear and regular reporting on progress, risks, and delivery status to senior stakeholders.
Budgeting and Financial Oversight
- Lead the creation and management of the event budget in collaboration with key stakeholders and finance.
- Maintain accurate forecasting and real-time tracking of spend, ensuring delivery within agreed financial parameters.
- Identify opportunities for cost efficiencies and value optimisation through effective planning and supplier negotiation.
Site Planning and Floorplan Management
- Lead the strategic design and delivery of the event site layout, ensuring operational efficiency, strong visitor flow, and high visual impact.
- Oversee the development and implementation of floorplans across all zones, stages, and features, ensuring alignment with safety regulations and operational requirements.
Procurement and Supplier Management
- Develop and implement procurement strategies that deliver cost-effective, high-quality solutions across all event requirements.
- Oversee the selection, contracting, and management of key suppliers, ensuring delivery to agreed standards, timelines, and budgets.
- Build strong supplier partnerships, ensuring consistent performance and continuous improvement.
Leadership and Team Management
- Provide line management and leadership to the CarFest team, including the Senior Event and Experience Manager, Event Coordinator, and operational support team.
- Set clear direction, objectives, and accountability, ensuring effective delegation between strategic oversight and detailed operational delivery.
- Coach, support, and develop team members to drive high performance, engagement, and continuous improvement.
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Post Evaluation and Continuous Improvement
- Lead data-driven post-event evaluation, reviewing delivery against KPIs, budgets, and operational performance.
- Analyse feedback, insights, and team learnings to identify areas for improvement.
- Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance future event delivery and efficiency.
Sustainability and ESG
- Champion sustainable event practices, including waste reduction, responsible sourcing, and environmental impact management supporting Silverstone’s Net Zero 2030 target.
- Work with suppliers and partners to embed sustainable solutions aligned with organisational and venue goals.
- Support and enhance CarFest’s charitable and social impact objectives, ensuring strong engagement with fundraising initiatives, community partnerships, and inclusive experiences for all attendees.
Team Responsibilities
- Lead and collaborate with the CarFest Operations and the Public Events Teams
- Help to create a positive and proactive culture within the CarFest Operations and Public Events Team
- Professional presentation reflecting the Silverstone values
Responsibilities
Performance Responsibilities
Performance will be monitored through Objectives set through the Personal Development Review (PDR) process including but not limited to the following:
- Budget Management: Delivery of the event within agreed budget parameters, with accurate forecasting and cost control throughout the planning cycle.
- Operational Delivery: Successful on-time delivery of all event infrastructure, site build, and de-rig in line with agreed timelines.
- Sponsor & Partner Satisfaction: 100% fulfilment of contractual sponsor deliverables, with positive feedback from partners and stakeholders.
- Health & Safety Compliance: Full adherence to all safety regulations and processes, with successful implementation of safety plans and minimal incidents onsite.
- Team Performance & Engagement: Effective leadership and coordination of the CarFest team, ensuring roles are clearly defined, resourced, and delivered to a high standard. Teamwork and collaboration across the wider Silverstone Team.
- Customer Experience: Positive attendee feedback (for areas related to your operational responsibility), measured through surveys/NPS, with strong engagement across event features and zones.
- Site & Operational Efficiency: Smooth crowd flow, effective site layout, and minimal operational disruptions during the live event.
- Supplier Delivery: All suppliers deliver to agreed standards, timelines, and budgets, with strong relationship management maintained.
Key Relationships
- Public Events Team and CarFest Operations Team
- All internal departments. The key business areas critical to the success of our events including finance, marketing, catering, logistics and venue operations.
- External third-party suppliers (traders, contractors, suppliers, car clubs, and the visitors)
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Knowledge, Skills And Qualifications
- Proven experience in event management / project management / operational management at a senior level, ideally within entertainment or festivals
- A deep understanding of global trends within events and the ability to apply innovative solutions to elevate CarFest
- Exceptional leadership and communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively across teams
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data and insight to inform decision-making and strategy development
- Passion for motorsport and entertainment, with a commitment to delivering world-class events
- Creativity and Vision – have a creative vision and a keen
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