Event Manager

About the Role

House of Musicians is looking for an experienced and dynamic Event Manager to lead the planning, coordination, and execution of music, entertainment, and live performance events.

The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of proven experience in event management, with strong exposure to the music, entertainment, concerts, festivals, or live events industry. The candidate should be highly organized, commercially aware, creative, and capable of managing an event from initial concept through execution and post-event evaluation.

This role requires someone who can confidently manage production teams, vendors, venues, sponsors, internal stakeholders, and clients, while ensuring every event is delivered to a high professional standard.

Key ResponsibilitiesEvent Planning & Execution

• Manage the complete event lifecycle from concept development and planning through execution and post-event evaluation.
• Develop event concepts, themes, formats, schedules, and production plans aligned with business objectives.
• Plan and coordinate concerts, live music performances, festivals, showcases, private events, corporate events, and other entertainment activations.
• Develop detailed event timelines, run sheets, production schedules, checklists, and operational plans.
• Lead on-site event operations, including setup, rehearsals, live execution, and dismantling.
• Ensure all events are delivered on time, within budget, and according to agreed quality standards.

Artist & Talent Management

• Manage artist bookings, contracts, schedules, hospitality requirements, technical riders, rehearsals, soundchecks, and performance requirements.
• Coordinate artist transportation, accommodation, visas, backstage requirements, and other logistics where required.
• Maintain strong relationships with artists, agencies, production houses, and entertainment partners.
• Ensure all artist requirements are communicated effectively to relevant internal and external teams.

Production & Technical Coordination

• Coordinate with production teams, sound engineers, lighting teams, AV suppliers, stage managers, set designers, and technical crews.
• Review and manage technical riders, production requirements, stage layouts, equipment requirements, and event specifications.
• Oversee venue setup, stage production, soundchecks, rehearsals, lighting, audio-visual requirements, and live event operations.
• Troubleshoot operational and technical issues quickly during live events.

Vendor & Supplier Management

• Source, evaluate, negotiate with, and manage event suppliers, production companies, AV providers, venues, caterers, security companies, transportation providers, and other contractors.
• Maintain a reliable network of event, entertainment, production, and hospitality suppliers across the UAE.
• Negotiate competitive rates and ensure suppliers deliver according to agreed specifications and timelines.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve issues efficiently.

Budget & Commercial Management

• Develop and manage event budgets, quotations, purchase orders, contracts, and supplier costs.
• Monitor expenses and ensure events remain within approved budgets.
• Negotiate contracts and commercial terms with artists, vendors, venues, and service providers.
• Track event profitability and provide post-event financial reports where required.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs without compromising event quality.

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, partners, artists, sponsors, venues, and key stakeholders.
• Attend client and stakeholder meetings and translate requirements into actionable event plans.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with corporate clients, entertainment partners, venues, and industry contacts.
• Manage expectations and resolve issues professionally throughout the event lifecycle.

Marketing & Promotion

• Collaborate with the marketing and creative teams to develop event promotion strategies.
• Provide event information, artist details, schedules, and content requirements to marketing teams.
• Monitor attendance, audience engagement and overall event performance.

Compliance, Risk & Safety

• Coordinate required event permits, approvals, licenses, insurance, and venue documentation.
• Ensure events comply with relevant UAE regulations, venue requirements, health & safety standards, and operational procedures.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement appropriate contingency plans.
• Maintain emergency and backup plans for critical event operations.

Team Leadership

• Lead and coordinate internal event teams, freelancers, event crew, volunteers, and external production teams.
• Delegate responsibilities and ensure all team members understand event timelines and deliverables.
• Provide clear direction during high-pressure live events.
• Conduct post-event reviews and identify areas for operational improvement.

Requirements

• 8+ years of professional experience in event management, preferably within the music, entertainment, concerts, festivals, hospitality, or live events industry.
• Proven experience independently managing end-to-end events and large-scale live productions.
• Strong experience in talent coordination, concert/event production, or entertainment events.
• Strong understanding of event production, AV, sound, lighting, staging, and technical requirements.
• Demonstrated experience managing event budgets, contracts, negotiations, and vendor relationships.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and multitasking abilities.
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills, particularly in high-pressure live event environments.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong knowledge of the UAE events and entertainment industry.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, public holidays, and extended hours during major events.
• UAE experience is strongly preferred.
• UAE driving license is an advantage.
• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field is preferred.

Work Location: In person