Senior Director, Events Delivery

Six Month FTC; Immediate start

About TM Forum

TM Forum is the global industry member alliance for telco and tech companies with over 800 communication service providers, vendors, hyperscalers, consultancies and system integrators, including the world’s top ten CSPs and top three hyperscalers. We aim to return the telco sector back to growth, through a move to AI-enabled agility and efficiency delivered by our three industry Missions: Composable IT & Ecosystems, Autonomous Networks, and AI and Data.

Our Missions are delivered through a flywheel of capabilities: Insight, Innovate, Collaborate, Educate and Scale, which are all brought to live through a global, year round program of digital and in person events.

Role overview:

The Senior Director for Events plays a pivotal role in advancing TM Forum’s strategic Missions by delivering world-class events that show our flywheel in action, and strengthen the Forum’s position as a thought leader. This role is central to creating a platform where our Members’ impressive work is shared globally, fostering engagement and accelerating digital transformation across the ecosystem.

As a forward-thinking and results-driven leader, you will combine deep expertise in event design, member and customer experience, and operational excellence to deliver exceptional experiences. You will be responsible for the end-to-end management of TM Forum’s events portfolio, ensuring every event delivers measurable member value and industry impact, at an optimal cost.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Deliver an Events program that delights our Members, delivers our Missions and showcases our capabilities
• Optimize existing events and design new events products that deliver our strategy and Missions
• Build Event KPIs that reflect this, and report on these
• Use data to assess performance and make decisions

Event Design & Delivery

• Manage the end-to-end event planning process, involving key stakeholders in a design process that extends from concept development and planning to execution and post-event analysis.
• Lead the delivery of events that draw on contributions from teams across the Forum, using effective program management methodologies
• Collaborate with Marketing and Commercial/Sales teams to design innovative new event concepts that exceed Member and sponsor expectations.
• Uphold TM Forum’s reputation by ensuring consistent delivery of exceptional event experiences that excite and engage members.

Operational Excellence

• Work closely with the Commercial Director to deliver planned events at an agreed margin, and to identify, design and deliver new opportunities for innovation and growth
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with vendors and suppliers to maximise profitability while maintaining the highest level of quality and service
• Drive excellence in the delivery of our Events portfolio by setting and upholding quality standards and implementing effective policies, processes and standards

Member Value & Industry Impact

• Embrace a customer-centric and data-driven approach to develop an events portfolio that delivers unrivalled industry impact and unquestionable member value across our global footprint.
• Create platforms within events to showcase member achievements, thought leadership, and collaborative innovation.

Team Leadership

• Foster a collaborative and results-oriented environment within the events team, ensuring effective communication and cross-functional cooperation.
• Ensure that the events team are set up for success, with the best skills, structures and motivation to deliver an excellent program

Person specifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Event Management, or equivalent work experience.
• Program/project management qualification and/or extensive experience
• Proven track record of successful leadership of a global events program in a B2B/tech environment.
• Extensive experience of building new and optimizing event design and delivery processes
• Experience of establishing new major events and/or making significant changes to major events, eg. moving location
• High EQ, and the ability to operate in a complex environment, balancing stakeholder needs and holding a Member-first approach
• Strong business acumen with the ability to analyze financial data, develop budgets, and deliver to an agreed margin.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain client relationships.
• Experience of leading change in teams, process and policies
• Creative thinker with the ability to develop innovative event concepts that resonate with target audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a high-performing team to grow themselves and the Forum.
• Proficiency in event management software and tools for project planning, tracking, and reporting.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Flexibility to travel as required to attend industry events, conferences, and member meetings.
• A passion for delivering outstanding customer experiences and a commitment to upholding TM Forum’s reputation for excellence.

Diversity & Inclusion at TM Forum

TM Forum is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. This is a full-time, hybrid-working position, and extensive international travel will be required along with the ability to work flexible hours needed to accommodate team calls in different time zones. Our people are unique and many of our staff work flexibly in many different ways. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need.