Head of Event Marketing - 12 month contract

We are seeking an experienced, commercially driven Head of Marketing to lead integrated marketing campaigns for world-class conferences, exhibitions, summits, and live experiences across Saudi Arabia.

This role owns the complete event marketing lifecycle—from concept and strategy through execution, acquisition, and post-event analysis—working closely with the Marketing Director to drive attendance, revenue, exhibitor participation, and brand awareness.

The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with a proven track record delivering high-profile B2B and B2C events across the Middle East, leading multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with commercial, production, and government stakeholders in Saudi Arabia's fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Marketing Strategy & Planning

- Develop and execute annual marketing strategies aligned with business objectives

- Build integrated marketing plans with clear audience segmentation and positioning

- Create compelling value propositions for delegates, visitors, exhibitors, and sponsors

- Establish measurable KPIs for brand awareness, registrations, revenue, and ROI

- Lead go-to-market strategies for new launches and portfolio growth

Event Marketing Leadership

Manage the full marketing journey across:

Discovery & Planning: Market research, audience analysis, brand development, campaign planning

Launch: Brand rollout, website launch, speaker announcements, PR and media engagement

Growth: Delegate acquisition, digital advertising, CRM automation, email marketing, partnerships, social campaigns

Live Delivery: Onsite execution, media coverage, VIP engagement, real-time optimization

Post-Event: ROI analysis, lead nurturing, retention strategies, performance reporting
Commercial Responsibilities

- Deliver attendee acquisition targets and support sponsorship sales

- Maximize marketing ROI and manage budgets effectively

- Identify new audience segments and revenue opportunities

- Support market expansion across Saudi Arabia, the GCC, and internationally

Digital Marketing & Demand Generation

- Performance marketing, paid search/social, LinkedIn campaigns

- SEO/SEM, marketing automation, CRM strategy

- Email marketing, website optimization, conversion rate optimization

- Analytics, lead generation, retargeting, AI-enabled tools

Brand, Content & Communications

- Develop event brands and ensure consistency across channels

- Lead creative development, copywriting, and storytelling

- Oversee video, photography, and multimedia content

- Drive social media and thought leadership campaigns

Public Relations & Media

- Develop regional PR strategies and manage media relationships

- Manage external agencies and secure media partnerships

- Coordinate press conferences and crisis communications

Government & Stakeholder Management

- Build relationships with government ministries and public sector organizations

- Secure endorsements and strategic partnerships

- Align events with national priorities including Saudi Vision 2030

- Support compliance and protocol requirements for VIPs

Leadership & Team Development

- Lead and mentor high-performing marketing teams

- Manage internal specialists, agencies, and freelancers

- Foster cross-functional collaboration and set clear KPIs

Analytics & Performance Reporting

- Track registration performance, ticket sales, marketing ROI, and conversion rates

- Monitor lead generation, customer acquisition costs, and event profitability

- Present strategic recommendations to senior leadership

- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or Communications (Master's preferred)

- 10+ years in integrated marketing with 5+ years in senior leadership

- Proven success with conferences, exhibitions, or large-scale events in Saudi Arabia and the GCC

- Experience launching new event brands and managing multi-million-dollar budgets

- Expertise in digital marketing, CRM, automation, and performance marketing

- Strong commer