Rate: Competitive and negotiable – outside IR35

Timing: Immediate interviews and start

Location: Flexible – ideally Geneva

We are seeking an accomplished event Project Director to lead the end-to-end execution of a flagship three-day corporate event - a major commercial exhibition in Geneva spanning approximately 100,000 sq ft of space, featuring around 300 exhibitors and welcoming over 12,000 delegates in May 2026.

This is a hands‑on event delivery leadership role for someone who thrives on driving progress in fast‑paced environments, combining strategic oversight with active involvement in event delivery. You will execute the event implementation against the already defined direction and ensure the event achieves its commercial, brand, and experience objectives from concept through to completion. Requires European travel or base (Geneva) during planning and delivery phases. French speaking fluency desirable with German helpful also.

The creative direction has largely been set, and what is needed now is an experienced events programme delivery professional to drive the successful event execution/implementation. The role reports into a Board with the organisation's MD as the most senior stakeholder.

A hands on style is required bringing energy, diligence, commercial control and leadership to ensure all stakeholders have complete confidence in the execution and successful event.

The role is managing the event execution directly from the client side through workstream suppliers and is not using a professional conference organising (PCO) company.

For exceptional candidates the rate may be further negotiable.

Being based in Geneva would be a distinct advantage, as is having preferably French or German business language fluency. Likely some UK (Surrey) location work also, but otherwise a hybrid approach is possible.

Foreign travel expenses from a base office will be reimbursed on top of day rate.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the detailed planning, delivery, and governance of the event, ensuring successful execution against agreed scope, schedule, quality and budget.
• Translate strategic and commercial objectives into actionable delivery plans and milestones.
• Oversee multi-disciplinary teams across creative, production, logistics, marketing, technology, and commercial workstreams, ensuring strong alignment and collaboration.
• Provide visible, on-the-ground leadership throughout planning and delivery, anticipating challenges and driving proactive solutions.
• Direct procurement, contracting, and performance management of third‑party suppliers, agencies, and venue partners.
• Engage executive stakeholders with clear communication, reporting, and decision support, maintaining transparency on risks, dependencies, and opportunities.
• Champion the delegate and exhibitor experience, ensuring all event elements deliver maximum impact and align with brand and business goals.
• Implement robust risk, compliance, safety, and quality frameworks across all delivery phases.

Skills required

• Demonstrable experience leading multiple large-scale, themed exhibitions or corporate events, ideally with delegate numbers in the thousands.
• Deep knowledge of the end-to-end event lifecycle, from concept development and design through to onsite delivery.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire teams, suppliers, and stakeholders in complex, multi-stream environments.
• Strong commercial and budget management skills with a track record of delivering successful, high-impact events.
• Balance of strategic thinking and hands‑on leadership, with the confidence to drive activity on the ground.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel within Europe as required during planning and delivery.

About the client organisation

With a history spanning more than four decades, the organisation represents and supports a diverse network of companies across Europe, advocating for sustainable growth, operational excellence, and innovation in a highly specialised sector.

It connects hundreds of member organisations through events, working groups, and collaborative initiatives, fostering knowledge-sharing, best practices, and positive regulatory development. The organisation is the driving force behind Europe's leading annual industry exhibition - a dynamic event that brings together thousands of delegates, hundreds of exhibitors, and key decision-makers from across the ecosystem.

Must have the following to apply

• Proven event organisation leadership roles at Project Director level with multiple successful events
• Experience aligned with 300 exhibitors, 100k sq ft and 12k delegates over 3 days
• Full workstream experience to manage suppliers directly
• Superb communication skills to brief and lead relationships at Board level

Please do not apply if

• You are an event project manager . We need a Project Director for this role.
• You do not have 3+ events under your belt as Project Director
• You are not willing to travel to Geneva frequently and for the event itself, or be based there
• You do not have Board level impact and leade
• You are not hands on and require a PCO to be successful