Event Operations Manager - Life Sciences

We’re part of Informa, a global business with a network of trusted brands in specialist markets across more than 30 countries, and a member of the FTSE 100.

Our purpose is to connect our customers to information and people that help them know more, do more and be more. No other company in the world helps more people share professional knowledge or make business connections.

We run around 800 events each year, create digital platforms based on engaging news and information content, and operate professional development programmes for individuals and businesses.

This role is based in our 20 School St, Boston, MA 02108, USA office.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Operations Manager to join the operations team within the Life Sciences division at Informa Connect

The role will report directly to the Director of Operations in Life Sciences. Joining a growing team, you will support and manage the delivery of up to 8 events within the Life Sciences portfolio. You will also support the Director of Operations on strategic projects such as venue and supplier procurement and team processes. The environment is busy and challenging and you have to be able to work on multiple events ensuring consistency in delivery.

The Operations Manager will manage their own events with clear and concise communication on the delivery of the events to all stakeholders across each department.

The position is best-suited to a creative, self-motivated and confident individual who is ready to step-up to the challenge, happy to work individually and as part of a team, and who is willing to fully immerse themselves in the Life Sciences events community.

Informa Connect, has a clear vision and focus, delivering premium, leader events globally serving the audience needs whilst exceeding their expectations.

The job is based in Boston with travel across the USA and Internationally as needed. Position will be expected to be in person in the Boston office in downtown crossing 2-3 times per week.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Create (10%)

• Create and manage the project plans for your assigned events, with clarity of expectations and deadlines for all stakeholders within the Portfolio.
• Responsible for timely, accurate budgeting and forecasting of event costs within the portfolio whilst leveraging procurement partnerships delivering cost savings which may be reinvested.
• Detailed structure to the full event planning process, with clear project timelines and milestones and management responsibility for the delivery and success of the events.
• Lead and shape the look and feel of the event with the Operations Director standardising the operations delivery model to enable creative and innovative solutions in delivery and identify commercial opportunities.

Design (20%)

• Work closely with the Product, Sales & Marketing managers to design the customer journey and exhibition spaces across the events portfolio.
• Work with centrally procured suppliers, to significantly improve the experience for our commercial clients and attendees at the events, providing a new inventory of products and services that will set Life Sciences apart from its competitors.
• Experience in delivering conferences and exhibitions with strong customer and supplier management is essential. 
• Design innovative space and features for the large conferences.  Work with creative design partners to standardise and deliver exceptional stage sets and signage that will set the standard.
• Enhance the customer’s perception of the event portfolio and delivery, differentiating us from our competitors.

Deliver (60%)

• Lead, manage, deliver and own your events from conception to onsite delivery including working with Procurement to identify suppliers and services as required.  To include fully managing the Venue, AV, Registration, decorating contractors and all other suppliers for the event, always negotiating on cost.
• Be the operational contact for all Sponsors and Exhibitors including putting together detailed online exhibition manuals and updating exhibition floorplans as well as building virtual booths on online event platforms
• Attend event planning meetings, presenting clear and concise updates on the event milestones, identifying and addressing any impacts to the event and proposed resolutions.
• Strong relationships with Sales to provide clear guidance on the commercial opportunities at the events.
• Clear management and ownership of the customer journey, understanding and managing crowd dynamics with thorough walk-throughs to map out the customer journey, signage, branding and identify social networking.
• Accountable for all Health and Safety pre and onsite for the events in line with Informa policies
• Help to embed sustainability into every event in line with Informa’s FasterForward approach
• Organize debriefs post event, to continuously improve the events, and cascade to the operations teams setting future expectations. Celebrate the successes and develop resolutions for challenges experienced.

OTHER (10%)

• Performs other duties as needed
• Attend training as suggested by Manager
• Opportunity to line manage and train a junior Operations co-ordinator where necessary

• Proven experience managing world class events in the B2B or B2C space.  
• Previously worked closely with product, marketing, commercial, sales and finance departments. 
• Proven experience in working on international conferences and exhibition delivery
• Experience in managing event project teams and working with internal stakeholders and external partners
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to flex as appropriate and build strong relationships
• Experience of developing and delivering new ideas and processes
• Cost management, forecasting and budgeting across multiple events and business plans
• Experience in working on multiple USA events as a team and individually to time and budget
• Exceptional customer services skills especially with high level stakeholders (speakers and Sponsors) 

Candidate Competencies:

• Ambitious, energetic, positive and inquisitive constantly looking for the upside and ways of making things better
• Ideas generated, able to bring ideas to the table with confidence and deliver them through.
• Charismatic and passionate, able to inspire others
• Determined and driven – happy to break through barriers and challenge the status quo
• Naturally operate within the values of the organisation acting with integrity to achieve organisational goals.
• Proactively manage all aspects of the event, someone who is happy getting their hands dirty and takes time to listen to our customers always looking to exceed expectations.

We believe that great things happen when people connect face-to-face. That's why we work in-person with each other, or with customers and partners, three days a week or more. When you’re not spending time together in one of our offices or other workplaces – like at an Informa event – you get the flexibility and support to work from home or remotely.

We work hard to make sure Life at Informa is rewarding, supportive and enjoyable for everyone. Here’s some of what you can expect when you join us. But don’t just take our word for it – see what our colleagues have to say at LifeAt.Informa.com

Our benefits include:

• Great community: a welcoming culture with in-person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World charity day and active colleague groups and networks promoting a positive, supportive, and collaborative work environment
• Broader impact: take up to four days per year to volunteer, with charity match funding available too
• Career opportunity: the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms and on-demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning. When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves
• Time out: 15 days PTO rising to 20 after three years and 25 after six years, plus 10 national holidays, a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year
• Competitive benefits, including a 401k match, health, vision and dental insurance, parental leave and an ESPP offering company shares at a minimum 15% discount
• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, free access to a wellness app and more
• Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programs
• As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world

The salary range for this role is $65,000- $75,000 based on experience. 

This posting will automatically expire on 23rd September, 2025.

We’re not solely focused on a checklist of skills. We champion energy and ambition and look for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up, join in and help make things happen. If it sounds like a match and you have most – although not all – of the skills and experience listed, we welcome your application.

If you would like to request reasonable adjustments or accommodations to assist your participation in the hiring process and, or in the advertised position, please inform the appropriate Talent Acquisition Partner for the role once they have been in touch. Your request will be reviewed and considered in confidence. At Informa, you'll find inclusive experiences and environments where all perspectives and backgrounds are welcomed. As part of this approach and our diversity and inclusion commitments, we are also formally an Equal Opportunities Employer. This means we base decisions on relevant qualifications and merit and do not discriminate on the basis of key characteristics and statuses, including all of those protected by law. Ask us or see our website for full information.

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