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Senior Operations Manager
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Jeremy Clarkson's Great British Farm Fest
Job: Event Operations Manager
Salary: up to £45,000 per annum
Location: Hertfordshire - 5 days per week.
We are recruiting on behalf of our client Farm Fest Ltd as they are seeking an experienced Senior Event Operations Manager to join its growing operations team.
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly organised and commercially minded event professional with extensive experience delivering complex outdoor events. Experience working within music festivals and large-scale outdoor event environments is essential, alongside a proven ability to lead operational planning and delivery from concept through to onsite execution.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Head of Operations, you will take ownership of the operational delivery of an exciting, leading outdoor consumer event. You will lead all aspects of event operations, managing contractors, suppliers, venues, infrastructure, compliance, and onsite delivery teams while driving operational excellence across the portfolio.
As a senior member of the team, you will lead operational strategy, mentor junior team members, and work closely with internal stakeholders to continuously improve processes, standards, and event delivery.
The role requires a proactive and solutions-focused leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, can confidently manage multiple projects simultaneously, and maintains exceptional standards under pressure.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the operational planning of an annual large-scale outdoor consumer event
- Develop and implement comprehensive event operations plans, timelines, and delivery schedules.
- Manage and oversee all event infrastructure, logistics, site operations, and contractor delivery.
- Lead relationships with suppliers, contractors, venues, local authorities, and key external stakeholders.
- Oversee exhibitor operations, ensuring a seamless experience from onboarding through to event delivery.
- Conduct site visits, contractor briefings, operational planning meetings, and stakeholder reviews.
- Lead onsite event operations, including build, live event management, and breakdown phases.
- Ensure all events are delivered in compliance with health & safety legislation, licensing requirements, and industry best practice, including the Purple Guide.
- Manage operational budgets, monitor expenditure, and identify opportunities for cost efficiencies.
- Develop risk assessments, operational documentation, contingency plans, and event procedures.
- Lead real-time problem-solving and decision-making during live event delivery.
- Support the development and mentoring of Event Operations Managers and Coordinators within the team.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and event delivery standards.
- Collaborate closely with commercial, marketing, exhibitor, and event teams to ensure seamless event execution.
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About You
- Significant experience in live event operations, event logistics, or outdoor event delivery.
- Essential experience delivering music festivals and/or large-scale outdoor consumer events.
- Proven track record managing complex event operations across festivals, outdoor events, exhibitions, sporting events, or similar live environments.
- Strong understanding of event infrastructure, site management, crowd management, logistics, and contractor management.
- Excellent knowledge of health & safety legislation, risk management, and industry guidance including the Purple Guide.
- Experience managing operational budgets and multiple concurrent projects.
- Strong leadership skills with experience mentoring or managing event operations teams.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.
- Comfortable working in fast-paced, demanding environments and making decisions under pressure.
- A willingness to lead from the front during live event delivery.
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Please note: applicants without direct experience delivering music festivals or large-scale outdoor events will not be considered for this role.
Benefits
- Private healthcare following probation
- Mileage reimbursement for site visits
- Company-wide annual incentive trips
- Tickets to industry events and shows
- Career development opportunities within a growing events business
If you are an ambitious event operations professional looking to take the next step in your career within an industry-leading events environment, we would love to hear from you.
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