Activation Manager - Events

Position: Activation Manager

Location: Abu Dhabi (Candidate based in UAE will be preferred)

Duration: 28th Jan 2026 to 8th Feb 2026

We are seeking an experienced Activation Manager to lead the planning, coordination, and on-ground delivery of activations for a large-scale sporting or cultural event in Abu Dhabi.

This role will oversee brand, sponsor, fan engagement, and experiential activations, ensuring they are delivered safely, on time, and to the highest quality standards. The Activation Manager will act as the central point of coordination between internal teams, partners, and vendors to deliver an outstanding audience experience.

This position is ideal for a proactive, hands-on event leader with strong operational expertise in live environments and stakeholder management

Key Responsibilities

Activation Strategy, Planning & Delivery

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of all event activations, experiential zones, and engagement areas


• Work closely with creative, commercial, and operations teams to ensure activations align with approved concepts, layouts, budgets, and timelines


• Review and approve activation designs, drawings, layouts, and operational plans to ensure feasibility and readiness

On-Site Activation Management

• Manage on-site installation, testing, live operation, and de-rig of all activations


• Ensure all activations are fully operational, correctly branded, and guest-ready throughout event hours


• Act as the senior on-site point of contact for activation-related issues and real-time decision-making

Brand, Sponsor & Partner Activations

• Oversee sponsor, partner, and stakeholder activations to ensure contractual obligations and brand guidelines are met


• Liaise with third-party agencies, vendors, and brand representatives to ensure seamless delivery


• Maintain consistency, quality, and brand integrity across all activation touchpoints

Guest Experience & Crowd Management

• Oversee guest interaction, queue management, dwell times, and capacity planning within activation areas


• Ensure smooth crowd flow and a safe, engaging, and inclusive guest experience


• Handle escalations related to guest experience and activation operations

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all activations comply with approved risk assessments, method statements, and local regulations


• Lead daily safety briefings related to activations and ensure incident reporting protocols are followed


• Ensure activation teams comply with operational, safety, and emergency procedures

Team Leadership & Staffing

• Lead and manage activation supervisors, promoters, volunteers, and contractors


• Oversee staffing plans, schedules, and shift rotations


• Clearly communicate activation workflows, expectations, and performance standards

Vendor & Supplier Management

• Manage suppliers and vendors delivering activation structures, equipment, digital elements, and consumables


• Monitor service delivery against agreed scopes, budgets, and timelines


• Resolve supplier issues and oversee inventory and asset management

Reporting & Post-Event Review

• Maintain daily activation status reports, issue logs, and progress updates


• Provide operational insights and recommendations for improvement


• Lead post-event debriefs and contribute to lessons-learned documentation

Requirements

• Proven experience as an Activation Manager or in a senior activation/event operations role


• Strong background in live events, experiential marketing, or large-scale sporting/cultural events


• Demonstrated experience managing sponsors, brands, and multiple stakeholders


• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in fast-paced environments


• Excellent communication and coordination skills