Senior Planning Manager - NEC

Senior Planning Manager - NEC Birmingham Full-Time / Permanent

£50,000 + bonus and excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.

We're looking for a Senior Planning Manager to join the innovative and collaborative team at NEC Birmingham - the UK's largest event space!

In this brand new role you will oversee the strategic planning and management of event logistics from the operations perspective. As Senior Planning Manager you will ensure that our world-class events are organised flawlessly, within budget, and aligned with the Levy's goals and objectives.

We are Levy

Levy is about elevating experiences. We are a leading global hospitality partner, designing and delivering unforgettable guest moments that prioritise people and the planet.

Trusted by some of the world's most iconic stadiums, entertainment venues, and major events - including Wimbledon, Twickenham, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Edgbaston, the SEC and ExCeL London - we bring experiences to life with passion and precision.

Our mission is to succeed the right way. From pioneering tech and seamless operations to show-stopping menus and exceptional service, we use insight and innovation to understand guests, improve the customer journey, reduce environmental impact, and support local communities.

We are a passionate, diverse team of venue specialists dedicated to making the planet better for future generations.

Senior Planning Manager - the role

• Support in overseeing operation's events planning for conferences, trade shows, product launches, and corporate events.
• Ensure all events are planned and handed over to the delivery team, within scope and budget.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external vendors to secure necessary resources and support.
• Assist with overseeing the strategic planning for the events operational department
• Support project delivery to enhance product and service standards.
• Drive changes that continually evolve process and standards to improve guest experience and quality of service.
• Monitor KPIs for event success and operational efficiency.
• Implement and enforce best practices in event management to ensure high standards of quality and consistency.

Compliance

• Promote Levy's Signatures and Departmental SOP compliance.
• Comply with and assist with the delivery of all company and unit policies regarding HR, Health & Safety, Hygiene, Manual handling, COSHH, Fire regulations, Licensing laws, Trading Standards, and environmental policy.

Sustainability

• Promote and drive sustainable choices in line with company's policy standards.

People

• Inspire your team! Assist with leading, mentoring, and developing members of the events operations team, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement including celebrating success, appraisals, performance reviews and succession planning.

Financial

• Assist in managing the events department budget, including forecast and labour.
• Assist in monitoring staff and operating expenditures to ensure adherence to budgetary guidelines.

Client Relationship

• Attend regular client meetings, internal event run-throughs, and communicate changes to relevant stakeholders.
• Support in being a point of contact for all operational event-related inquiries.
• Champion a guest-first culture, continually sharing and acting on client and customer feedback.
• Actively work with the Operations Delivery and Events team to produce exceptional events.

What we're looking for

• A confident and strategic leader with exceptional communication skills.
• A proven track record of managing and planning large-scale events with diverse audiences
• A background in leading cross-functional teams and ensuring the delivery of high-quality event experiences that align with the Levy's brand and objectives
• Passionate about guests - enjoys communicating with clients and going the extra mile to deliver personalised and exceptional customer service.
• Due to the nature of this role you'll need the ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as required (Occasional travel may be required.)
• Proven experience in managing and planning large-scale events with diverse audiences.
• An accomplished multitasker with a can-do mindset
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in event management software and tools.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Financial acumen with experience in budget management and financial reporting

What you'll get in return

• Competitive salary with bonus and full company benefits
• 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme
• Healthcare & wellbeing: AvivaDigicare, Medicash(dental, optical, therapy treatments)
• Mental health support: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Family benefits: 2 days'additionalleave after returning from maternity leave, day off for your baby's first birthday, enhanced family leave
• Perks & discounts: Shopping, entertainment, and travel discounts, 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off PureGym memberships
• Financial wellbeing: Pension scheme, Life Assurance, preferred rates on salary finance products
• Development opportunities: Professional subscriptions, ongoing training and structured career pathways
• Meals on duty included

Why Join Us?

Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world's largest catering company, and a vibrant leader in hospitality.

We believe in celebrating individuality and building inclusive teams where everyone feels they belong. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation, and excellence.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, empowering workplace where everyone can thrive.

Together, we create unforgettable experiences - and shape the future of hospitality.