Head of Operations - MICE and Corporate Events

About the Role

This leadership position involves managing the end-to-end execution of major MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), corporate events, and experiential marketing projects. The Head of Operations is responsible for overseeing operational, production, and client servicing teams to ensure smooth event delivery, excellent client experiences, and profitable business outcomes. Close collaboration with business development, creative, and production teams is essential to maintain high-quality standards and foster lasting client partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and successful delivery of corporate events, including conferences, exhibitions, brand activations, and MICE programs.
• Manage production efforts such as fabrication, staging, audio-visual setups, technical production, logistics, and coordination with vendors.
• Establish and apply standardized operating procedures, project timelines, and quality control across all projects.
• Oversee budgets, control delivery costs, and ensure operational profitability without compromising quality.
• Develop and sustain vendor, supplier, and partner relationships for dependable service and cost efficiency.
• Identify and mitigate project risks proactively to guarantee smooth operations.
• Act as the primary liaison for key clients, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring client satisfaction.
• Translate client needs into actionable execution plans in cooperation with creative and production teams.
• Support business development through contributing to proposals, presentations, project planning, and commercial negotiations.
• Handle client escalations effectively and resolve operational challenges throughout project lifecycles.
• Drive client retention by consistently delivering excellent service and successful projects.
• Lead execution of meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions, and corporate events across domestic and international venues.
• Coordinate travel logistics, venue setup, delegate services, hospitality arrangements, accommodation, transportation, and overall event operations.
• Collaborate with destination management companies, hotels, airlines, and external partners to ensure flawless event delivery.
• Manage, mentor, and develop high-performing teams in operations, production, and client servicing.
• Distribute resources efficiently across multiple projects while maintaining on-time delivery and quality standards.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Lead initiatives to optimize processes enhancing scalability, efficiency, and service quality.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality, Event Management, or a related field.
• 10 to 15+ years of experience in MICE, events, experiential marketing, or event management sectors.
• Proven leadership in operations, production, or client servicing for large-scale corporate events.
• Expertise in project planning, event production, logistics, budgeting, and operational execution.
• Experience managing project finances including P&Ls, budgeting, vendor agreements, and cost control.
• Excellent client management and excellent communication skills with stakeholders.
• Capacity to lead cross-functional teams within fast-paced, deadline-driven settings.
• Willingness to travel extensively and provide onsite leadership for events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing domestic and international MICE programs.
• Established network of vendors, venues, hospitality partners, and production agencies.
• Background in event management, experiential marketing, exhibitions, conferences, or corporate events.
• MBA or professional certification in Event Management or Hospitality considered an asset.

Skills

• Operations management
• Event operations and production
• MICE event expertise
• Client servicing and account management
• Vendor relationship management
• Budgeting and P&L management
• Corporate event planning
• Conference and exhibition management
• Experiential marketing (preferred)
• Team leadership and development
• Process improvement and logistics management
• Business development support

Additional Information

Salary range for this position is INR 1,200,000 to INR 2,000,000 per annum. The role is based in Delhi NCR (Delhi, Gurugram, or Noida) and requires full-time onsite attendance. Candidates should be prepared for frequent travel to domestic and international event locations.