Operations Manager - Events (Office / Warehouse Role)

Company Description

Evolution Services is a leading event services provider in the MENA region, offering comprehensive event planning, production, infrastructure, overlay, creative services, technical support, and furniture rental for a wide range of live events and productions.

Role Description

We are looking for a new Operations Manager to join our in-house team. The position is an in-office role, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and will not be offered as a remote-working position.

The Operations Manager will take ownership of all workplace-related operations within Evolution and oversee a team of operations assistants to support project delivery, ISO compliance, Health & Safety standards, and general facilities management.

This role plays a key part in ensuring that Evolution’s in-house operations — including offices, warehouses, workshops, and fabrication areas — operate in line with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 requirements, while maintaining safe, efficient, and well-controlled working environments.

To perform well in this role, you should have a minimum of 5 years’ experience as an Operations Manager within the Events / Exhibitions industry, preferably within the UAE or Saudi Arabia. Fluency in English is essential, and the ability to communicate in Arabic is preferred.

General Responsibilities

• Working closely with Evolution’s Production, Technical, Scenic, Site Services, and Furniture Rental teams to create a streamlined flow of operations in and out of the warehouse.
• Overseeing daily delivery schedules of rental equipment and event elements for outgoing projects, in coordination with departmental Project Managers.
• Management and troubleshooting of all logistics, crew, and transportation scheduling.
• Overseeing Asset Management and Consumable Stock Control in coordination with Inventory Managers.
• Ensuring all relevant project-related documentation is completed accurately and on time, including delivery schedules, access permits, crew lists, and Health & Safety documentation.
• Taking full responsibility for facilities management across main offices, warehouses, workshops, and staff accommodation, ensuring safe and compliant working environments.

ISO, Compliance & HSE Responsibilities

• Managing and maintaining Evolution’s ISO Management System documentation, including:
• ISO 9001 – Quality Management
• ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
• ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety
• Ensuring ISO policies, procedures, risk assessments, registers, and records are kept up to date and aligned with operational practices.
• Supporting internal audits, external certification audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives related to ISO compliance.
• Ensuring operational teams are aware of, trained on, and compliant with ISO-related procedures relevant to their roles.

In-House HSE & Fabrication Safety

• Overseeing Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) compliance for all in-house activities, including fabrication, workshops, warehouse operations, and general works.
• Ensuring safe systems of work are implemented for carpentry, metalwork, painting, technical builds, loading/unloading, and general workshop activities.
• Ensuring risk assessments, method statements (RAMS), toolbox talks, and safety inductions are in place and followed for all in-house operations.
• Monitoring workshop and warehouse safety standards, including housekeeping, PPE usage, equipment safety, and safe material handling.
• Coordinating incident and near-miss reporting and implementing corrective actions in line with company procedures and ISO 45001 requirements.
• Working closely with department heads to ensure HSE requirements are understood and followed by staff, freelancers, and subcontractors while on Evolution premises.
• This role is operationally responsible for implementing and maintaining safe working practices and does not replace specialist external HSE consultants where required.

Required Skills

• Proven ability to create and manage day-to-day operational processes.
• Strong organisational, critical thinking, and communication skills.
• Competency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Sheets.
• Experience working within a multicultural organisation.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
• Strong English written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate in Arabic is preferred.
• Detail-oriented with sound judgment and a clear sense of urgency.
• Strong documentation control, compliance, and process-driven mindset.
• Solid understanding of workshop, fabrication, and warehouse HSE requirements.

Required Experience

• 5+ years’ experience in a similar Operations role within Events / Exhibitions.
• Experience overseeing HSE practices in fabrication, workshop, or technical build environments.
• Practical experience implementing safety procedures in live, operational environments.
• Experience developing operational policies and ensuring company-wide awareness and compliance.
• Experience producing clear, concise reports and operational documentation.
• Experience delivering internal briefings, inductions, and training sessions.
• Experience managing ISO systems (9001, 14001, and/or 45001) is highly advantageous.

Applications should be accompanied by the following

• Cover letter describing why you feel you are great at what you do
• CV detailing your past work history
• Monthly salary expectation including all allowances
• Current passport & visa/igama status