Assistant Manager, Retail Festivals & Events

JOB OBJECTIVE:

The Assistant Manager of Retail Festivals & Events is responsible for supporting the planning and execution of Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), ensuring strategic alignment with the DFRE and DET's goals. This role involves managing budgets, coordinating with stakeholders, and enhancing event experiences. Key duties include overseeing event logistics, ensuring compliance with regulations, and implementing innovative and creative event strategies. The Assistant Manager will also maintain event documentation and manage stakeholder relationships throughout the DSF lifecycle.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Core Functional Responsibilities & Subject Matter Expertise

• Assist in the development and management of DSF event plans, including the allocation of resources, budgeting, and adherence to timelines linked to project milestones.
• Support the Festival Strategy and Planning team in the creation of event budgets, implementing financial management controls, and establishing metrics for measuring spending and performance during DSF.

Aid in coordinating with team members to integrate DSF events into the DFRE calendar to anticipate and resolve any planning or execution issues

• Support in classifying DSF events based on scope, attendance, audience profiles, duration, location, budget, and resource requirements.
• Assist in the preparation and distribution of communications to the Event Marketing team to facilitate the development of targeted marketing strategies for DSF.
• Contribute to the creation of project one-pagers, defining budgets, objectives, and content elements, and providing examples from the industry or benchmarks from similar festivals.
• Collaborate with the procurement team on drafting RFPs/RFIs, managing supplier selection, and overseeing contract processes. Maintain relationships with agencies post-award.
• Manage on-ground event/project delivery, coordinating with all relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including vendors, sponsors, and government authorities, to ensure smooth DSF execution and alignment with Dubai Economic and Tourism Department's (DET) strategic goals.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for DSF stakeholders, managing queries, resolving issues, and ensuring stakeholder satisfaction throughout the event lifecycle.
• Proactively identify and implement innovative solutions and trends in event management to enhance attendee experiences and operational efficiency for DSF.
• Suggest and integrate creative content elements and activations to keep DSF engaging and aligned with global event management best practices.
• Ensure DSF compliance with all DET policies, industry regulations, and legal requirements, particularly in procurement and contract management.
• Collaborate with team members to develop and manage risk mitigation and contingency plans for DSF, addressing potential issues such as delays, budget overruns, or other unforeseen challenges.
• Coordinate with the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) team to ensure robust safety protocols are in place and adhered to during all events.
• Maintain comprehensive records of all DSF-related documentation, including contracts, budgets, and communications, to ensure readiness for audits and future reference.
• Prepare detailed DSF performance reports, offering insights into challenges faced and recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Support the analysis of satisfaction reports and feedback from retailers, malls, and partners to identify and address areas for improvement in future editions of DSF.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local laws and international standards relevant to large-scale public and private events.

Qualifications

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Event Management, Business Administration, Marketing, Hospitality, or related fields.
• Professional certifications such as the Projec