Event Operations & Logistics Manager - Sport Travel

Event Operations & Logistics Manager

Mike Burton - Destination Sport

This is a hybrid role based in our Gloucester office, you must live within a commutable distance.

As part of Destination Sport (“DS”), Mike Burton create and deliver major brand, customer and revenue focused ticketing and travel programmes around the globe, working in direct partnership with organisations that include England Rugby, Scottish Rugby, The R&A, EPCR and The British & Irish Lions:  https://mikeburton.com/

The Event Operations & Logistics Manager plays a central role in planning, coordinating, and delivering all operational and logistical elements required for successful event delivery. This includes creating detailed operational plans, managing staff travel and logistics, coordinating uniform and equipment requirements, and supporting the wider team to ensure each event runs smoothly from preparation through to post‑event wrap‑up.

The role also provides on‑the‑ground leadership during events, acting as the primary point of contact for operational needs, and ensuring all team members are equipped, informed, and supported. With responsibility for planning, delivery, budget management, and post‑event evaluation, this role is vital in ensuring high‑quality, consistent, and efficient event operations.

No two days are the same in this avries role, but on a typical day you can expect to

Pre-Event:

• Create and manage the event staffing plan (day by day summary of activity)

• Collate and create detailed day by day staffing schedules (hour by hour detail of activity)

• Own the relationships with all sources of event staff (internal and external sources)

• Ensure that event staff receive necessary training and briefings to complete assigned duties (taking responsibility for the creation of meetings, presentations, documents etc.)

• Plan, book and manage all necessary travel arrangements for each staff member (including but not limited to: flights, accommodation, transfers, hire cars etc.)

• Co-ordinate IT and telecoms equipment and software requirements with internal and external providers

• Create and distribute detailed individual staff travel itineraries and associated documentation

• Manage supplier relationships for provision of uniform and event equipment requirements (including all stages: research of and appointment of suppliers, development and internal sign off of all items and delivery/distribution arrangements)

• Support with the creation of necessary policy documents (briefing notes, on tour accounts policy etc.)

• Manage and proactively report on all budgets linked to each event including staffing, equipment, uniform etc

During Event:

• Expected to travel to and be present in location for all (majority of) events delivered

• Be the primary day to day point of contact for all event staff, with respect to assigned duties and uniform/equipment required to fulfil assigned role

• Manage the preparation and delivery of all ‘in-situ’ scheduled staff briefings, meals and activities

• Prepare and own all shared staff spaces (event office, breakout rooms, briefing rooms)

• Take responsibility for all staff equipment requirements, ensuring staff are equipped with the tools that they need to undertake assigned duties (printing, copying, stationery etc.)

• Lead on all shipping, transport and logistics of additional uniform and equipment

• Manage staff welfare process

Post-Event:

• Complete all necessary post-tour financial reconciliation

• Ensure that all uniform and equipment is collected and returned from staff

• Manage the return and up to date stock take of all uniform and equipment for annual events

• Ensure all petty cash reconciliation and staff post event reports are completed in a timely manner

• Compile a post-event report, critically analysing each event delivery highlighting what went well and where improvements can be made in the future

General:

• Day to day line management of any appointed team members

• Co-ordination (meeting arrangements, task assignments, action plans) of the wider Event Operations & Logistics ‘team’, made up of individuals contributing time from different teams within the business

To be successful within this role, our ideal candidate will:

• Have experience in travel operations and/or logistics

• Be self-motivated and proactive, with a "can do" approach and a high level of attention to detail, initiative and persistence

• Have outstanding organisational skills with proven ability to manage time and prioritise tasks to deliver when working under pressure and to tight deadlines

• Possess strong communication skills (written and verbal) are essential

• Have very strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint)

• Be accurate and flexible, can work independently with minimal to no supervision

• Be a team player with a track record of building strong, effective working relationships

• Have good European and Worldwide travel knowledge

• Have excellent customer service skills

• Have the ability to think logically and consider all relevant aspects with strong analytical skills

• Experience working with sports travel would be desirable but isn’t essential

• Be happy to work on both short and long duration projects, in the UK, Europe and Worldwide as required

In return we offer

• The opportunity to work with world class professional sporting clubs

• Hybrid working model

• Highly competitive salary

• Guaranteed day off on your birthday

• The opportunity to sample top level hospitality packages at stadiums across the world

• Supplier hosted networking events

• Company funded parties

• Opportunity for progression

• Funded training

• Access to wellness hub with various discounts including discounted gyms & retail providers

• Access to discounted hotels & sporting event tickets