Events Manager

Job Summary

Akili Network is seeking a highly organised and energetic Events Manager to take full ownership of its events portfolio, from the first idea through to final delivery. The organisation’s events are major national properties, including Treasure Hunt and Talent Mania, and this role will help scale them each season in commercial impact and audience value.

This position suits someone who enjoys the full lifecycle of events: planning, logistics, fast-paced problem solving, and seeing a project come together in the field. You will oversee the annual events calendar, manage vendor and partner relationships, control budgets and timelines, and ensure each activation reflects the Akili brand with accuracy and pride.

The role requires a person who can manage both the strategic overview and the smallest on-the-day details. It is not suited to someone who prefers to hand work off and hope for the best; it is for someone who stays accountable until everything is completed properly.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the yearly events calendar, ensuring each property is planned early and delivered smoothly.
• Create detailed project plans, production schedules, and timelines for every event.
• Identify risks in advance and build practical backup plans before issues arise.
• Maintain clear coordination so tasks, owners, and deadlines are understood by everyone involved.
• Prepare and manage event budgets with close attention to every cost line.
• Work with the commercial team to develop sponsorship and partnership opportunities that support event viability.
• Monitor event return on investment and use performance insights to improve future events.
• Source, onboard, and manage vendors, agencies, suppliers, and partners involved in event delivery.
• Negotiate effectively to secure strong service, value, and results for Akili.
• Coordinate across internal teams including TV, Digital/Content, Creative, and Sales to align execution.
• Lead on-site logistics and production during event delivery, making decisions in real time.
• Represent Akili’s standards across venues, partners, and audience-facing moments.
• Prepare post-event reports covering attendee experience, operational performance, and commercial outcomes.
• Document lessons learned and use them to improve future execution.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 3 years of experience in event management, experiential marketing, activations, or a closely related area.
• Demonstrated ability to handle events independently from concept development through execution.
• Strong capability in project coordination, budgeting, and vendor oversight.
• Prior experience working with external agencies, sponsors, and service providers.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities without losing track of any one of them.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills, especially in high-pressure situations.

What You Bring

• A strong sense of ownership and accountability for the entire portfolio.
• A delivery-focused mindset that values execution as much as strategy.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding that events must support business results.
• Composure under pressure and confidence during live event days.
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with vendors, partners, and sponsors.
• A learning mindset that captures lessons and applies them to future events.

Why You'll Love This Job

• You will work on properties that are already meaningful to Kenyan families, creating work with real reach and impact.
• Your contributions will be visible and tied to important, high-profile deliverables.
• You will join a lean, fast-moving team where initiative is valued and bureaucracy is limited.

Why Join Us

Akili Network is creating media, stories, and experiences for and by Africa. If you want a role where your work is tangible, your ownership matters, and you can clearly see the results of your effort, this opportunity is worth exploring.

Application Note

Interested candidates should send a CV and a short note describing an event they are proud of. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.