Manager, Education and Events, Middle East

Department: Education and Events Reports To: IAAPA EMEA Vice President and Executive Director Direct Reports None Location: IAAPA EMEA Dubai Office, Dubai, UAE About IAAPA IAAPA is the global association for the attractions industry. Our purpose is to bring the global attractions family together and our mission is to inspire, grow, and protect the industry through member connections. IAAPA represents the diverse and ever-changing attractions industry. For over a century, IAAPA has connected companies of all sizes and people of all levels to provide meaningful experiences for their guests around the world. IAAPA hosts global events and conferences that provide a showcase for innovation, support trade, and facilitate the sharing of best practices. We also provide valuable tools and resources that make member businesses smarter, safer, and more profitable while delivering guest experiences that delight and provide memories that last a lifetime. Founded in 1918, IAAPA represents leading industry attractions; manufacturers, suppliers, and consultants; and individual members from more than 100 countries. Members own and operate a variety of location-based entertainment venues and attractions including amusement parks, theme parks, attractions, water parks, resorts, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, science centers, museums, cruise lines, and cultural and natural attractions. Opportunity Overview: Each year IAAPA hosts three expos in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. As our membership grows, we are expanding into other regions of the world, including the Middle East. With a planned launch in 2026, IAAPA Expo Middle East will bring qualified amusement park and attraction buyers from throughout the Middle East and worldwide to source the latest products and services to move their business forward. The Manager, Events and Education, Middle East is primarily focused on the organisation of events, conferences and meetings for IAAPA Expo Middle East and other regional Events, while also supporting the development and implementation of educational programming for members in the Middle East region. We are seeking a self-starter with the motivation and strong work ethic required to work autonomously with minimal supervision. The ideal candidate will have an entrepreneurial spirit and the drive to further develop our association and its products. Flexibility is essential, as the role requires working as part of a small team and the willingness to travel throughout the European and Middle East regions. The successful candidate will have demonstrated the ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects, paying meticulous attention to complex details while meeting deadlines and performing well under pressure. A strong understanding of the importance of customer service and the ability to provide superior service is essential. We are looking for someone who thrives in a team environment and can manage large volumes of work within tight deadlines. We offer an attractive salary package with a range of benefits. Our organization provides excellent opportunities for learning and development in an international work environment, along with a flexible work regime that includes an optional hybrid format. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Events responsibilities: • Support the execution of IAAPA EMEA’s meetings and events consistent with IAAPA’s standards as a world-class exhibition and event producer for the amusement park and attractions industry • Support the creation and management of event budgets • Support and manage events and meetings registration: reports, emailing to registrants, finance overview… • Prepare and distribute function sheets, meeting specs and sign orders • Create and manage hotel rooming lists • Onsite event management (room sets, AV and signage placement, F&B consumption, entertainment, decoration, transportation) • Other tasks as assigned Education responsibilities: • Coordinate, plan, monitor and execute education programme planning for IAAPA EMEA in the Middle East region • Being the contact point for speakers and other educational stakeholders • Act as admin support for committee activities such as scheduling meetings, meeting minutes, following up on actions items and more • Support digital learning and virtual education offerings • Perform benchmark of other conference programmes • Other tasks as assigned Other: • Frequent travel within the Middle East region as well as occasional travel in Europe and Africa. • Meet or exceed IAAPA’s and department’s customer service standards in all interactions, both internal and external. • Provide oversight and accountability to multiple programs in various stages of the program lifecycle. • Evaluate program deadlines, budgets and activities. • Other duties as assigned Qualification, Knowledge, Skills Required: • Bachelor’s degree in event management, communications, hospitality services, marketing or equivalent experience • 3-5 year experience in meetings and special events management, international experience preferred. • Educational programme development experience beneficial • Strong team-player with a positive, flexible, initiative-taking, and professional demeanor • Keen ability to prioritize, multitasking, meet strict deadlines, and make productive use of time under pressure while being detail oriented • Strong project management and organizational skills • Ability to anticipate problems and opportunities and the initiative to follow through quickly and independently • Interest for and/or experience from the industry • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Arabic. • Demonstrated knowledge of MS Office and Outlook. • Travel and Flexibility Required • Ability to work weekends and after hours during busy periods • Physical requirement include ability to travel, walk and stand for long period of time, stoop, drive and willingness to perform manual labor specific to job (i.e. packing boxes, carrying signage, hail taxicabs, move tables and chairs etc.) What’s in for you? • An attractive salary package that supports your role and responsibilities • 25 working days annual leave • Additional benefits such as bonus eligible, medical insurance (employee only); participation in tuition fees; reimbursement of mobile phone subscription (up to 300 AED per month) • Flexible work regime: minimum 2 to 3 days at our office in Dubai – the other days you can work from home or at the office • Good opportunities to learn and develop while working in an international work environment where we celebrate team wins and support a collaborative mindset to the fullest.