About the Role
We're looking for a seasoned Senior MICE Operations professional to lead our operations function for corporate travel, incentive, conference, and exhibition projects. This role goes beyond individual project execution — the ideal candidate will drive operational strategy, mentor a team of operations executives, and be accountable for overall performance, profitability, and client satisfaction across a full portfolio of projects.
If you've led large-scale MICE operations, built strong teams, and owned a P&L, this is your next step.
What You'll Do
Strategic Project Ownership
- Own end-to-end operational delivery across multiple concurrent, high-value MICE projects, ensuring alignment with company objectives and profitability targets.
- Set operational strategy, standards, and best practices for the team, driving continuous improvement in project execution.
- Review and approve critical path timelines, operational plans, and contingency plans prepared by the team for complex or high-risk projects.
- Take direct ownership of the organisation's largest, most complex, or highest-visibility accounts.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Operations Managers/Executives, providing guidance, training, and performance feedback.
- Allocate projects and resources across the team based on complexity, workload, and individual strengths.
- Conduct regular reviews, set KPIs, and drive accountability across the operations team.
- Build a strong bench of talent through coaching, upskilling, and succession planning.
Supplier & Partner Strategy
- Lead strategic negotiations with key global partners, hotel chains, DMCs, and airlines to secure preferred rates and long-term partnership agreements.
- Establish and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders at Tourism Boards, embassies, and key destination partners.
- Set vendor evaluation frameworks and standards, ensuring consistent quality across the supplier network.
- Identify and onboard new strategic partners to expand the company's global sourcing capabilities.
Financial Ownership & Reporting
- Own the P&L for the operations vertical, ensuring cost control, margin protection, and revenue targets are consistently met.
- Review project-level budgets, financial reconciliations, and profitability reports prepared by the team.
- Present operational performance, financial insights, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and process efficiencies across the project lifecycle.
Client Relationship Management
- Act as the senior escalation point for key clients, building long-term relationships with senior stakeholders.
- Lead client review meetings, presenting performance insights and identifying opportunities for account growth.
- Support the sales team in pitching for large or complex accounts, bringing operational expertise to proposals.
On-Site Leadership & Crisis Management
- Provide senior oversight for on-site execution of flagship projects, stepping in to manage escalations or high-stakes situations.
- Serve as the final point of decision-making for on-ground crisis management, ensuring swift, effective resolution.
Process & Systems Improvement
- Drive the adoption of technology, tools, and systems (e.g., HRMS/project management platforms) to improve operational efficiency.
- Standardise SOPs, checklists, and reporting formats across the team to ensure consistency and scalability.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor's degree in Travel & Tourism, Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field (MBA/PGDM preferred).
- Minimum 7+ years of experience in MICE operations or corporate travel, including at least 2 years in a team leadership/managerial capacity.
- Demonstrated track record of managing large, complex, multi-destination MICE projects with full P&L accountability.
- Strong network of global suppliers, DMCs, and Tourism Board contacts.
- Proven experience mentoring and developing high-performing teams.
Why Benchmark?
Join a team where you'll shape not just individual events, but the strategy and people behind an entire operations vertical. This is a role for a leader who wants real ownership — of the P&L, of the team, and of the client relationships that define the business.
Ready to lead operations at scale? Apply now.