Experience Manager - Events

*This is a freelancce role*About the RoleThe Experience Manager will be responsible for taking experience concepts from development through supplier sourcing, costing, pre-production and live delivery, working closely with the wider team throughout the process.The role will focus on developing the visitor experience beyond F&B and traditional photo opportunities by identifying and delivering engaging experiences, activations, cultural moments and interactive concepts tailored to each location and its audience.The Experience Manager will take approved concepts through supplier engagement, budgeting, planning, production and on-site execution, ensuring each experience is delivered to the intended quality and vision.This is a hands-on project role, and the successful candidate should be equally comfortable developing ideas in the office, working with suppliers and partners to bring them to life, and being on-site during live event days to oversee delivery, troubleshoot issues and resolve challenges as they arise.The ideal candidate will be highly organised, solutions-oriented and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where no two projects or event days are the same.Experience4 –7 years' experience across experiential events, festivals, activations, cultural events or destination experiences.Must have experience taking guest-facing concepts from idea through to live delivery, including supplier sourcing and pre-production.UAE/GCC festival or large-scale public-event experience preferredCore SkillsDevelops engaging, audience-relevant experiences and activations suited to the space, visitor journey and cultural context. Strong at researching references, sourcing suppliers and partners, developing concepts, and taking approved ideas through pre-production and live deliveryCommercialAble to obtain and evaluate supplier quotations, negotiate commercials, manage allocated experience budgets and identify opportunities for partnerships, sponsorship, revenue share or value-in-kind where appropriatePeople & LeadershipAble to independently own assigned experience zones and coordinate suppliers, freelancers and on-site teams through pre-production and deliveryStakeholdersWorks closely with the Senior Experience Manager, LProject Team, Creative, Production, Operations, Procurement, suppliers and external partners to ensure concepts are feasible and delivered to the intended experience standardStrategicLooks beyond individual activations to understand why visitors would go to the area, what keeps them there, and what makes the experience memorable enough to drive participation and repeat visitsQualificationsBachelor's degree in events, hospitality, performing arts or a related field preferred; not a dealbreaker if experience compensates