Executive Creative Director, Conferences & Events at Informa

Riyadh, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

06 Jun, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

08 Mar, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Creative Production, Large-Scale Events, Experiential Environments, Creative Direction, Technical Reality Translation, Supplier Quotable Packs, RFP Processes, Team Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Design-To-Budget, Value Engineering, Supplier Strategy, Commercial Discipline, Risk Management, AI-Enabled Workflows, Quality Control

Industry

Information Services

Description

Company Description Tahaluf is the largest B2B live and on-demand events organiser in Saudi Arabia by space, attendance, colleagues, and revenue. It is a joint venture between Informa PLC, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and the Events Investment Fund (EIF). Tahaluf is bold, visionary, and determined to make an impact. Our team fosters a culture of collaboration, creativity, and a little fun. Here, teamwork rules, and work feels as exciting as the events we create. Scaling at this pace also requires exceptional local partners, and Tahaluf is proud to work with a range of government and non-government organisations at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s B2B and B2C large-scale events scene. Be part of something BIG with Tahaluf’s series of record-breaking events: LEAP and Cityscape - the largest events in the world in their respective fields of tech and real estate; Black Hat MEA - a Guinness World Record holder for the largest CTF competition during the event; and CPHI Middle East - the largest pharma debut event in history, to name just a few. Tahaluf is making a huge impact on the global events sector. Job Description The Creative Production Studio will become Tahaluf’s central creative and production hub—setting the standard for how our stages, environments, activations, and concept documents look, feel, and get delivered across all events. It will be the engine room for developing Tahaluf’s signature design language, producing supplier-ready packs, and enabling portfolio teams to execute faster, more consistently, and with higher quality—reducing reliance on agencies while retaining IP and raising the bar year-on-year. What you will do: As Tahaluf's Executive Creative Director, Conferences & Events you will bring historically agency-led creative work in-house to build a recognisable, repeatable Tahaluf technical and creative signature across all portfolios. You will lead the Studio day-to-day—building and running a high-performing team that produces beautiful, world-class environments and supplier-quotable technical/RFP packs, with a strong design-to-budget mindset and consistently premium standards. Studio build opportunity This is a rare opportunity to help build a new in-house Creative Production Studio from the ground up. Working alongside the VP Production & Vendor Partnerships and the wider leadership team, the Executive Creative Director, Conferences & Events will shape the studio’s structure, ways of working, quality standards, and output formats—building a high-performing team and partner ecosystem aligned to a clear Tahaluf vision. Scope: The studio’s outputs include main stages, second/main supporting stages, sub-stages, décor features and scenic environments, brand activations, and side events such as VIP dinners, networking events, and music/entertainment events, plus special projects. The Executive Creative Director, Conferences & Events will partner closely with the existing Content, Marketing, Production, and Operations teams in a supporting capacity through build-up and on-site as needed—protecting creative intent, resolving technical queries, and keeping suppliers aligned—while Operations retains accountability for delivery, H&S, and budgets. Reporting & Relationships Reports to: VP Production & Vendor Partnerships Direct reports may include: Producer, Production Manager, Technical manager, 3D/2D Designer(s), CAD, Studio Manager Internal client dynamic: Serve as an expert consultant to Exhibition/Portfolio Directors and respond to their briefs. Budget/feasibility gate: Partner with Operations/Production to ensure designs are pre-validated for feasibility and budget alignment before being presented for internal approval. Key partners: Marketing (brand strategy), Content team (show needs), Procurement (costing/RFP support), preferred suppliers + wider market suppliers (via RFPs) Key Responsibilities 1) Studio Build, Leadership & Output Quality Build, lead, and performance-manage a lean, high-output Creative Production Studio (people, standards, templates, workflows, international freelance pool). Direct the day-to-day output of 3D/2D designers and CAD teams to deliver consistently premium standards. Remain hands-on where it matters: high-level ideation, creative direction, technical quality control, and refining executive-ready presentations. Establish studio governance: briefing intake, prioritisation, review cadence, quality gates, version control, and change control. 2) Creative Direction & Tahaluf Signature Lead creative development across all portfolios, setting the bar for idea quality, presentation quality, and visual polish. Co-own creative direction with Exhibition/Portfolio Directors and Marketing, ensuring ideas align with event objectives, audience, and brand. Build a recognisable Tahaluf signature across physical environments and concept documents. 3) Design-to-Budget, Feasibility & Value Engineering Apply Value Engineering early to optimise direct costs without compromising the Tahaluf signature. Identify “hero moments” that justify higher investment while optimising secondary structures for cost efficiency. Work with Operations/Production to make design-to-budget real, ensuring concepts are cost-aware and feasible before stakeholder presentations. Maintain clear optioning (good/better/best) so decisions are fast and commercial. 4) Supplier Strategy, Market RFPs & Commercial Discipline Operate a preferred-partner-first approach while maintaining commercial discipline through structured market RFPs/benchmarking. Package concepts into clear scopes and pricing schedules so suppliers quote like-for-like and options can be compared objectively. Partner with Procurement on bid evaluation and costing intelligence; hand over award/contracting and delivery management to Operations (supporting as needed to protect creative intent). 5) Delivery Readiness: Risk, Long-Lead & Change Control Identify long-lead items and key constraints early (venue restrictions, rigging limits, access/loading, supplier capacity) and drive timely design lock decisions. Maintain strict version control and change control on all studio outputs to minimise late-stage rework and scope drift. Ensure concepts translate into supplier-quotable packs that reduce ambiguity and prevent expensive surprises during delivery. 6) Commercial Sponsorship Design Respond to briefs to create high-value, sellable sponsorship inventory (lounges, brand activations, networking zones, feature moments). Ensure sponsored elements integrate into the wider event signature while meeting partner ROI requirements and maintaining quality. 7) Delivery Support & On-Site Partnership Work alongside Content/Production/Operations through build-up and onsite delivery in a supporting capacity, ensuring creative intent is protected, technical queries are resolved quickly, and supplier execution remains aligned—while Operations remains accountable for delivery, H&S, and budgets. Attend site visits, supplier workshops, rehearsals, and key show milestones as required. 8) Reuse Mindset (Nice-to-have value lever) Where practical, design scenic elements with reuse in mind—modular components (e.g., desks, archways, décor features, stage parts) that can be repurposed across shows, including back-to-back events in the same venue, to reduce waste and improve cost efficiency. Maintain a lightweight reusable library of proven elements and re-skin approaches that can be deployed when it makes sense. 9) Continuous Improvement Run post-event reviews: what worked, what didn’t, cost drivers, and what can be improved or reused. Maintain and evolve studio standards to compound quality and efficiency year-on-year. Key Deliverables Portfolio presentations: High-polish decks that sell a consistent Tahaluf look and feel to Portfolio Directors and stakeholders. Supplier-quotable RFP packs: 3D renders, CAD layouts (plans/sections/elevations), key dimensions, material intent/specs, integration assumptions (AV/lighting/rigging/power), scope breakdown, and optioning. Studio template system: Consistent deck structure, visual language, documentation standards, and file/versioning discipline. Reusable IP library (nice to have): A catalogue of reusable scenic components/approaches where applied, with guidance on re-skinning and redeployment. Success Measures (KPIs) Quality & consistency: Leadership confidence and a recognisable Tahaluf signature across environments and documents. Budget alignment: Accuracy of design-phase cost expectations vs supplier bids (and reduced late-stage cost shocks). Approval velocity: Speed of sign-off from Portfolio Directors due to strong taste level and pre-vetted feasibility. Commercial impact: Cost efficiency and savings influence through value engineering, optioning, and selective reuse. Studio performance: Throughput, rework reduction, and ability to scale output without adding unnecessary headcount. AI-enabled Studio Approach (Lean Team, High Output) Tahaluf’s Creative Production Studio is designed to stay lean, highly skilled, and versatile—scaling output by leveraging advances in AI and modern production software rather than building oversized teams. The Executive Producer is expected to: Champion AI-enabled workflows across concepting, design development, documentation, and iteration—without compromising standards or accuracy. Identify, test, and operationalise tools that accelerate throughput (e.g., rapid ideation, visual iteration, drafting support, CAD automation, render acceleration, deck production workflows), while maintaining strong QA and sign-off discipline. Establish safeguards for brand consistency, confidentiality, and IP protection when using AI tools and external platforms. Blend core full-time talent with flexible specialist support (freelancers/partners) and use tooling to absorb peak demand. Qualifications What you will bring: Proven experience leading creative production for large-scale live events, conferences, exhibitions, or experiential environments—ideally including main stage / high-complexity builds. Strong ability to translate creative into technical reality (structures, staging/scenic, AV integration awareness, power/rigging constraints). Experience producing supplier-quotable packs and running structured RFPs or supplier optioning processes. Leadership experience managing multi-disciplinary creative and technical teams and holding a high quality bar. Strong stakeholder management across Exhibition Directors, Marketing, Operations, Procurement, and senior leadership. GCC experience is preferred (not essential), with willingness and capability to operate in a Saudi-based role. Skills & Behaviours High creative bar and strong “taste level”; confident presenting and defending ideas. Commercial instincts: design-to-budget discipline, optioning mindset, ROI awareness. Structured operator: governance, version control, change control, and clear communication. Calm under pressure; decisive and solutions-led in fast-moving environments when required. Ability to plan resources ahead of time knowing what events are coming up for the year ahead & when. Collaborative leader with a “no surprises” approach. Additional Information What you will get: Core Benefits: Competitive bonus VVIP Bupa Medical Insurance for you and your family Annual leave – 28 days Remote working on Sundays Working anywhere – 8 weeks every year School fees contribution, 40,000 SAR per child per year (up to a max of three children) Residency visa, including yearly dependent fees Individual annual flight allowance for expats International Relocation Package*: Paid flight to Riyadh – individual and family 60 days accommodation or suitable serviced apartment from your arrival date, or a one-off payment of SAR 5,000 Up to SAR 2,500 reimbursement of shipping goods/excess baggage costs Paid flight home for individual and end of service gratuity payment when leaving the company (if applicable) Local Relocation Package*: Paid flight to Riyadh – individual and family (up to a max of three children) 30 days accommodation or a suitable serviced apartment from your arrival date, or a one-off payment of SAR 5,000 Up to SAR 2,500 reimbursement of shipping goods/excess baggage costs *If eligible We don't just accept difference, we celebrate it. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and circumstances and base hiring decisions on relevant qualifications and merit. We are proud to provide a disability-friendly environment. If you require any support or adjustments to participate in our interview or selection processes, please let us know.

Responsibilities

The Executive Creative Director will build and lead the in-house Creative Production Studio, establishing Tahaluf's signature design language across all events and bringing historically agency-led creative work in-house. Key duties include directing design output, establishing studio governance, leading creative development, ensuring designs meet budget and feasibility constraints, and managing supplier strategies.