[Hiring] Senior Event Operations Manager @Questex

Role Description

An Amazing Career Opportunity for a Senior Event Operations Manager! This position will work remote in the US. Preference is to work in the East Coast Time Zone.

Questex, which has recently changed to Forge, is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Senior Operations Manager (Ops Lead) to oversee the operational logistics, vendor relationships, and execution of high-impact events ranging from 500 to 5,000 attendees, with budgets up to $2M.

In this role, you will serve as the operational backbone for our team, ensuring seamless execution across venue logistics, show management, health and safety, sustainability, and financial tracking. You will partner closely with internal teams, show management, and external vendors to bring complex activations and evening events to life while leveraging tools like Cvent and Smartsheet to streamline project management and housing logistics.

As our Event Operations Manager you’ll support Questex’s success by:

• Event Oversight & Communication: Act as the operational hub by communicating critical deadlines, tracking workflow changes, and relaying show team needs across departments. Maintain comprehensive work order schedules and timelines using Smartsheet for real-time cross-functional tracking.
• Venue & General Service Contractor (GSC/GES) Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact for venue operations and decorators. Manage all utility and facility orders, including electric, internet, plumbing, rigging, and overall decorator services.
• Vendor Management & Fulfillment: Oversee non-sponsored fulfillment for activations, Show Management areas, and evening events in close coordination with the Sponsor Fulfillment Manager. Manage third-party vendors including floral, transportation, décor, and security.
• Safety, Security, & Sustainability: Develop and implement comprehensive Health & Safety plans, robust Security plans, and drive sustainability initiatives including tracking and reporting.
• Food & Beverage Management: Finalize F&B orders and conduct meticulous Banquet Event Order (BEO) reviews.
• Housing & Administrative Operations: Manage hotel housing blocks efficiently (utilizing Cvent for registration and housing management where applicable) and oversee invoice processing and operations budget management.
• Signage Management: Oversee the end-to-end production, placement, and management of event signage.

Qualifications

• Proven track record (typically 5+ years) managing complex, large-scale live events ranging from 500 to 5,000 participants.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience using Cvent (for registration, housing, and attendee management) and Smartsheet (for robust project management, operational tracking, and timeline coordination).
• Demonstrated experience successfully managing and reconciling operational budgets of up to $2M.
• Deep familiarity with venue utility ordering, general service contractors (such as GES), rigging, internet/telecom, and health & safety regulations.
• Strong experience with invoice processing, financial reconciliation, and BEO (Banquet Event Order) reviews.
• Exceptional cross-functional communication skills, acute attention to detail, and the ability to pivot quickly in high-pressure live event environments.

Requirements

• You proactively seek to adopt and implement diversity into your work, including valuing diverse backgrounds, experiences and thinking.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.
• This is a high-intensity, non-traditional role where flexibility and commitment are key. Candidates seeking strictly 9-to-5 schedules may not find this role suitable. Evening and holiday work may occasionally be required due to event schedules.

Benefits

• Vacation - 15-20 days depending on years of service
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Health and Welfare Benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, and others)
• FitOn Health, access to a leading digital wellness platform that offers premium online classes
• Cariloop Membership Program to help support employees with the complexities of caregiving
• Parental Leave
• Online Educational Learning Library of over 16,000 courses for employees to enhance and develop their skills
• Access to Mental Health Resources - Talkspace, & Employee Assistance Program
• 401k, with Matching Contributions to include educational webinars sponsored by our 401K partner
• Mission-driven culture with an enthusiastic, professional team
• Work-life balance
• Discounts through various partnerships