Event Manager - Maternity Leave Cover
Organization: Worldchefs
Contract type: Fixed-term maternity leave cover
Contract period: From 6 - 13 July 2026 to 5 February 2027 (7 months)
Location: Paris-based
Working language: English
Required languages: English and French
Seniority: Experienced Professional
About the role
Worldchefs is seeking an experienced Event Manager to lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of assigned international events and activations.
Following an up to 3 week onboarding period, the successful candidate will independently manage the operational planning and execution of Worldchefs events, ensuring successful delivery from initial planning through post-event reporting. The role requires strong event management experience, attention to detail, and the ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders, suppliers, partners, and operational requirements simultaneously.
The position focuses exclusively on event planning, logistics, exhibition management, budget control, partner coordination, and on-site delivery.
Programs Covered
- Worldchefs Congress
- Worldchefs World Championship
- Worldchefs Village
- Competition Seminars
- Online Events: Webinars with Worldchefs Partners
Key responsibilities
1. Event management and operational delivery
1.1. Throughout the period:
Support building the plan and setting up the organisation of the Worldchefs World Championship [CL1] in Shanghai in March-April 2027 and Worldchefs Congress 2028 [CL2] in Paris, France and ready to hand over to the project manager after her maternity.
- Plan and monitor budget, establishing financial allocations for venue, vendors, materials, staffing, program activities, and communications, and tracking expenditures throughout setup.
- Select and contract venues and vendors, ensuring alignment with event objectives, program requirements, and budget.
- Lead setup planning and team coordination, assigning tasks to internal staff and contractors, and overseeing workflows for venue preparation, program activities, and communications readiness.
- Supervise execution and operational readiness, overseeing all aspects of the event including venue installation, AV, signage, exhibits, program delivery, and communications to ensure a seamless launch.
1.2. November 2026 — Worldchefs Village, Luxembourg:
- Lead full event lifecycle: budget management, layout, partner coordination, supplier management, operational planning
- Approve exhibition floor plans, booth allocation, and signage
- Ensure partner requirements are fulfilled, deadlines are met
- Oversee on-site setup, troubleshoot operational issues, and ensure high-quality delivery
- Manage the organization of 2 Competition Seminars on D-1 of the event.
1.3. January 2027 — Worldchefs Village, Sirha Lyon, France:
- In collaboration with Les Cuisiniers de France, lead full event lifecycle: budget management, layout, partner coordination, supplier management, operational planning
- Approve exhibition floor plans, booth allocation, and signage
- Ensure partner requirements are fulfilled, deadlines are met
- Oversee on-site setup, troubleshoot operational issues, and ensure high-quality delivery
2. Reporting and collaboration
- Work closely with Worldchefs leadership, project partners, member associations, sponsors, suppliers, and internal teams
- Maintain event documentation, contact databases, contracts, files, trackers, and administrative records.
- Prepare post-event reports, budget reconciliations, lessons learned, and handover documentation.
- Ensure all operational information is accurately documented and archived.
- Prepare 2026 Event Report for annual strategic meeting in January 2027
Required qualifications and experience
- Minimum 3 years of professional experience managing international events, exhibitions, conferences, or multi-stakeholder projects.
- Proven ability to independently manage event operations from planning through delivery, including budget oversight, supplier and vendor coordination, logistics management, and on-site execution.
- Native-level English (minimum IELTS 8.0, CAE C1, or TOEFL iBT 110) and strong working-level French (CAE B2 or above).
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
- Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and a proactive approach to delivering high-quality events.
- Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools such as PMI, PMP, or PRINCE2.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience in gastronomy, hospitality, education, association management, or non-profit sectors.
- Experience managing exhibitions and sponsor activations.
- Familiarity with project management and event management software, eg. Kantree, Trello, etc.
- Experience working in international and multicultural environments.
Appplication link: https://tinyurl.com/39pxs6fu
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary
Contract length: 7 months
Pay: 35,000.00€ - 38,000.00€ per year
Language:
Work Location: In person
