The Role
The Senior Event Manager is a key operational leader within the ISU Events team, responsible for spearheading the delivery of ISU events on a global scale. This role serves as the primary operational authority for designated events, transforming ISU’s event strategy into world-class execution throughout the entire lifecycle—from planning to delivery and post-event evaluation.
As the main day-to-day liaison to Local Organizing Committees (LOCs), the Senior Event Manager ensures alignment with ISU delivery models, standards, and timelines while closely coordinating across various departments, including Sport, Commercial, Marketing, Broadcast, and ISU Business functions.
This role plays a pivotal part in the ongoing evolution of ISU’s global event model, utilizing operational insight, structured evaluations, and continuous improvement initiatives, while also representing ISU as the senior operational lead for assigned events.
The Senior Event Manager is essential in enhancing ISU’s global event framework, strengthening governance structures, and improving the experience for athletes, partners, and fans worldwide.
Key Responsibilities
- Event Leadership & Delivery:
- Lead the comprehensive operational delivery of assigned pinnacle ISU events within ISU’s standardized event framework.
- Serve as the primary operational contact for Local Organizing Committees, ensuring alignment with ISU standards, timelines, and governance structures.
- Coordinate integrated execution across competition operations, sport presentation/show elements, broadcast integration, and stakeholder services.
- Translate strategic directives from the Chief of Events into actionable delivery plans.
- Operational Management:
- Oversee detailed planning milestones, including venue readiness, overlay, logistics coordination, workforce planning, and technical delivery.
- Collaborate closely with the Senior Manager of Event Services to ensure seamless integration of accommodation, transport, accreditation, safety, and guest services.
- Proactively identify operational risks and escalate strategic decisions to the Chief of Events with recommended solutions.
- Support consistent implementation of ISU planning tools, templates, and delivery standards.
- LOC & Stakeholder Partnership:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with LOC leadership, suppliers, and delivery partners.
- Act as ISU’s senior operational representative in planning meetings, site visits, and delivery milestones.
- Facilitate collaboration between internal ISU teams and local stakeholders to ensure cohesive execution.
- Cross-Functional Coordination:
- Ensure alignment across Sport, Commercial, Marketing, Broadcasting, and ISU Business operations throughout the event lifecycle.
- Chair operational planning meetings and milestone reviews to sustain delivery momentum.
- Support the implementation of broadcast and event presentation requirements in collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Financial Stewardship:
- Manage operational event budgets in coordination with ISU leadership and finance teams.
- Monitor delivery against financial plans, timelines, and resource allocation.
- Identify opportunities for cost efficiency and operational effectiveness while supporting ISU’s broader commercial and brand objectives.
- On-Site Event Leadership:
- Act as ISU’s senior on-site operational authority during assigned events.
- Oversee operational readiness, issue resolution, and delivery escalation processes.
- Ensure high-quality execution across competition operations, sport presentation, stakeholder services, and fan experience.
- Evaluation & Continuous Improvement:
- Lead structured post-event evaluations, identifying operational insights and opportunities for improvement.
- Provide recommendations to the Chief of Events to support the evolution of ISU’s event model and delivery practices.
About You
We are looking for a seasoned event professional with strong operational leadership capabilities and an executive presence, capable of managing complex international sporting events at the highest level. You combine strategic awareness with delivery excellence and thrive in a multicultural, high-performance environment.
Essential Requirements
- Minimum of 10+ years of experience in international event management.
- Demonstrated experience leading large-scale, multi-stakeholder sporting competitions.
- Strong expertise in end-to-end event delivery alongside strategic planning and governance.
- Advanced financial management and budget oversight capabilities.
- Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
- Proven team leadership and mentoring experience.
- Fluent in English; proficiency in additional languages is an asset.
Desirable
- Experience within international sports federations or major event organizations.
- Familiarity with global rights-holder and commercial environments.
- Knowledge of winter sports and the international sports ecosystem.
- Experience contributing to event model transformation or organizational strategy.
- Experience operating in multicultural and politically complex environments.
- Additional language skills beyond English are considered a plus.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package aligned with senior-level responsibilities.
- The opportunity to lead and shape world-class international sporting events.
- A dynamic, multicultural, and collaborative working environment at the heart of a global federation.
- Opportunities for international travel, executive exposure, and professional growth.
- A strategic leadership role contributing to the enhancement of athlete, stakeholder, and fan experiences worldwide.
- A workplace that values diversity, inclusion, innovation, and high performance.
If you are passionate about international sport and possess the operational leadership experience to deliver complex, world-class events, we would love to hear from you. Apply online using the form below.
Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
At ISU, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment where everyone is valued and empowered to succeed. Skate on, together.