Event Manager

Role Overview

Programme Manager, Executive Degrees at INSEAD, Middle East Campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Full-time, temporary 9-month contract position.

Company Overview

INSEAD operates a Degree Programmes department with multiple campuses. The Middle East Campus in Abu Dhabi delivers executive education programmes in a dynamic, international environment.

Role Purpose

Ensure world-class delivery of the GEMBA Flex programme and provide delivery support for other degree programmes at the Abu Dhabi campus. Hold a key public relations role representing INSEAD to participants through pre-programme support, daily presence, social engagement, and post-programme follow-up. The pedagogical success of programmes relies heavily on the quality of administrative and logistical support provided.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Programme Delivery

• Coordinate all pre-programme preparation activities, partnering with multiple internal departments across INSEAD to ensure seamless programme operations and exceptional participant experience.
• Maintain high service standards and effective cross-functional collaboration across the organization.
• Manage programme communications and participant onboarding, ensuring participants receive accurate and timely information regarding schedules, learning platforms, accommodation, travel requirements, assessments, and programme logistics.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and service providers, negotiating contracts and overseeing service delivery to ensure quality, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with programme objectives.
• Liaise with relevant Faculty members to obtain their pedagogical material and requirements.
• Prepare and coordinate all virtual learning requirements, including scheduling online sessions, liaising with faculty regarding technology and pedagogical needs, testing learning platforms, and ensuring participants have access to necessary resources and support.

During Programme Delivery

• Serve as the primary point of contact for programme participants, building strong relationships and ensuring exceptional participant experience.
• Act as a trusted liaison between participants, faculty, and administrative teams, providing timely support, responding to enquiries, and fostering a welcoming, engaging, and professional learning environment.
• Oversee and coordinate on-campus examinations, ensuring smooth execution and compliance with programme requirements.
• Coordinate programme space and venue planning, working closely with stakeholders to identify and secure appropriate learning, dining, and networking spaces.
• Proactively anticipate operational needs, resolve scheduling conflicts, and ensure all facilities and logistical arrangements support a seamless programme experience.
• Partner closely with programme operations teams across campuses to ensure consistent participant communications, operational alignment, and seamless learning experience throughout programme delivery.
• Monitor programme delivery closely, anticipating issues, managing last-minute changes, and ensuring all operational and academic activities are executed to the highest standard.

Post-Programme Delivery

• Manage all post-programme academic administration, ensuring participant grades are collected, verified, and communicated in a timely manner in collaboration with faculty and academic administration teams.
• Oversee programme evaluations, driving high response rates and ensuring timely distribution of evaluation reports to faculty to support continuous improvement and teaching excellence.
• Maintain strong participant and stakeholder relationships, responding to post-programme enquiries and supporting engagement with the wider INSEAD community.
• Lead programme closure activities, including financial reconciliation, purchase order closure, vendor follow-up, and completion of all administrative reporting requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in hospitality or events management.
• 4 years of experience in a similar role: events coordination or client-facing roles in a multinational or international environment.

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency with Pack Office, PeopleSoft, and Business Objects Power BI.
• Strong customer focus with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and participants in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proactive mindset, demonstrating creativity, innovation, and a service-oriented approach to problem-solving.
• Highly adaptable, detail-oriented, and experienced in project management and virtual learning environments.
• Ability to coordinate online programme delivery and troubleshoot operational challenges in collaboration with faculty and technical support teams.
• Ownership of responsibilities while contributing positively to team objectives and success.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism, diplomacy, and tact, while maintaining firmness when necessary.

Additional Information

Contract type: Full-time, temporary, 9-month contract.

Working model: Hybrid – 3 days on campus, 2 days from home. On-campus presence required during programme delivery periods.

Flexibility: Able to travel and work occasionally on Saturdays, public holidays, and outside standard working hours when required.

Application requirements: Submit application with CV in English.