Managing Director- Events- Nairobi

Role Objective

We are seeking a highly experienced and forward-thinking Managing Director to lead the events business, overseeing strategic growth, operational efficiency, and overall revenue performance. This is a progressive leadership role where the successful candidate will be expected to advance further upon achieving set performance targets and leadership milestones.

The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in the events industry, strong commercial acumen, proven leadership capability, and the ability to build and scale a dynamic, creative, and fast-paced organization.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of both short-term and long-term business strategies.
• Drive profitability, business growth, and market expansion initiatives.
• Translate creative ideas into commercially viable event concepts.
• Oversee the full event lifecycle, ensuring excellence in planning, execution, and post-event evaluation.
• Establish and enhance SOPs, internal systems, and operational controls.
• Ensure consistent delivery of projects within set quality standards, timelines, and budgets.
• Manage relationships with vendors, suppliers, venues, and key stakeholders.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and overall financial performance.
• Drive revenue growth through new client acquisition, partnerships, and service offerings.
• Ensure cost efficiency and profitability across all events.
• Work closely with finance teams and auditors.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Lead, mentor, and develop internal teams.
• Build a high-performing, accountable, and innovative organizational culture.
• Oversee recruitment, succession planning, and performance management.
• Act as the key decision-maker in daily operations.

Stakeholder & Brand Management

• Represent the organization to key clients, partners, and sponsors.
• Strengthen brand positioning and enhance market reputation.
• Lead negotiations for high-value contracts and strategic partnerships.

Governance & Transition

• Collaborate with the Board and Founders on governance matters and reporting.
• Support long-term sustainability and organizational readiness for growth.
• Work closely with the Board/Founders on governance and reporting
• Support long-term organizational sustainability and governance readiness

Job Specifications and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Event Management, Hospitality, Communications, or a related field
• Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent) is a strong advantage
• Minimum 6 years of professional experience, with at least 2 years in a senior leadership role
• Proven experience in the events, experiential marketing, hospitality, or creative industry
• Demonstrated success in scaling operations and managing large, complex events
• Experience managing budgets, teams, and high-value clients

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Strategic thinking with the ability to execute effectively
• Excellent financial and commercial acumen
• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and perform under pressure
• High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism
• Entrepreneurial mindset combined with corporate discipline

• Lead the development and execution of both short-term and long-term business strategies.
• Drive profitability, business growth, and market expansion initiatives.
• Translate creative ideas into commercially viable event concepts.
• Oversee the full event lifecycle, ensuring excellence in planning, execution, and post-event evaluation.
• Establish and enhance SOPs, internal systems, and operational controls.
• Ensure consistent delivery of projects within set quality standards, timelines, and budgets.
• Manage relationships with vendors, suppliers, venues, and key stakeholders.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and overall financial performance.
• Drive revenue growth through new client acquisition, partnerships, and service offerings.
• Ensure cost efficiency and profitability across all events.
• Work closely with finance teams and auditors.
• Lead, mentor, and develop internal teams.
• Build a high-performing, accountable, and innovative organizational culture.
• Oversee recruitment, succession planning, and performance management.
• Act as the key decision-maker in daily operations.
• Represent the organization to key clients, partners, and sponsors.
• Strengthen brand positioning and enhance market reputation.
• Lead negotiations for high-value contracts and strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with the Board and Founders on governance matters and reporting.
• Support long-term sustainability and organizational readiness for growth.
• Work closely with the Board/Founders on governance and reporting
• Support long-term organizational sustainability and governance readiness

• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Strategic thinking with the ability to execute effectively
• Excellent financial and commercial acumen
• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and perform under pressure
• High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism
• Entrepreneurial mindset combined with corporate discipline

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Event Management, Hospitality, Communications, or a related field
• Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent) is a strong advantage
• Minimum 6 years of professional experience, with at least 2 years in a senior leadership role
• Proven experience in the events, experiential marketing, hospitality, or creative industry
• Demonstrated success in scaling operations and managing large, complex events
• Experience managing budgets, teams, and high-value clients