Head of Events & Operations Ibtida

Head of Culture Event Operations

Ibtida – Ek Mehfil

Send Cv hello@ibitdaekmehfil,com

Role Overview

We are looking for a senior, commercially driven operator to lead the business and operations of Ibtida.

The Head of Business & Operations will translate the Co-founders vision into structured, profitable and scalable execution. The role will take end-to-end responsibility for business performance, event operations, project management, team building and organisational systems.

The position reports directly to the Co-founders.

Key ResponsibilitiesBusiness and P&L Ownership

• Own Ibtida's annual business plan, revenue targets, budgets and profitability.
• Build event-wise P&Ls, cash-flow plans and financial projections.
• Monitor ticketing, partnerships, production costs, marketing spends and overheads.
• Improve margins through stronger planning, negotiation and cost control.
• Conduct post-event financial and performance reviews.
• Identify new and commercially viable growth opportunities.

Event and Activation Management

• Lead every event from initial planning through execution and final closure.
• Create detailed timelines, budgets, responsibility matrices and operational plans.
• Coordinate production, artist management, marketing, partnerships, ticketing, hospitality, finance and guest relations.
• Ensure venues, permissions, vendors, technical requirements and safety protocols are secured on time.
• Maintain Ibtida's standards of cultural sensitivity, hospitality and guest experience.
• Create contingency plans and resolve operational challenges decisively.

Systems and Operating Models

• Build structured operating models for Ibtida's ticketed events, cultural IPs, private experiences and brand collaborations.
• Develop SOPs, checklists, templates and approval systems across departments.
• Create repeatable frameworks for launching events in new cities and venues.
• Introduce clear reporting, documentation and closure processes.
• Reduce operational dependence on the Co-founders while protecting the brand's creative vision.
• Use event data to improve pricing, capacity, budgets and resource planning.

Project and Portfolio Management

• Manage Ibtida's annual and quarterly event calendar.
• Prioritise projects based on revenue potential, strategic value and team capacity.
• Conduct weekly operational reviews with defined owners and deadlines.
• Track multiple events and campaigns simultaneously.
• Ensure every project is delivered on schedule and within its approved budget.
• Maintain visibility across risks, delays, dependencies and pending decisions.

Team Building and Leadership

• Build and lead teams across production, marketing, partnerships, artist management, guest relations, CRM and operations.
• Define organisational structures, roles, KRAs and measurable KPIs.
• Recruit department heads, specialists and external partners as required.
• Establish a culture of discipline, ownership and accountability.
• Improve communication and coordination between internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Coach teams and build capable second-line leadership.

Revenue and Growth

• Work with business development and partnership teams to grow sponsorship revenue.
• Strengthen ticketing strategy, pricing, patron retention and audience growth.
• Develop new revenue streams through memberships, private events, brand experiences, IP licensing and geographical expansion.
• Evaluate new opportunities through financial and operational feasibility.
• Build relationships with brands, venues, promoters, hospitality partners and cultural institutions.

Founder and Leadership Reporting

• Translate the Co-founders strategic and creative direction into actionable plans.
• Present weekly dashboards covering revenue, costs, timelines, risks and closures.
• Escalate key decisions while independently managing daily operations.
• Present quarterly business and performance reviews.
• Recommend improvements across profitability, organisational structure and future growth.

Experience and Qualifications

• 8–12+ years of experience across live entertainment, experiential marketing, cultural programming, music festivals, luxury hospitality or large-format events.
• At least 3–5 years in a senior leadership role with direct team responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience in P&L ownership, budgeting and financial planning.
• Proven ability to deliver multiple mid-scale events and activations.
• Strong understanding of production, ticketing, partnerships, marketing and guest experience.
• Experience building systems and scaling operations across cities or business verticals.
• Strong project-management, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Comfortable working within a fast-moving, founder-led organisation.
• Understanding of culture , hospitality , Lifestyle , Music

The Ideal Candidate

• Commercially sharp and financially disciplined.
• Structured, decisive and highly accountable.
• Calm under pressure and capable of solving problems in real time.
• Able to balance creativity with commercial and operational realities.
• Comfortable working at both strategic and execution levels.
• A strong people leader who can build and motivate teams.
• Sensitive to culture, music, luxury and hospitality.
• Driven by measurable outcomes, not simply activity.

Key Performance Indicators

• Achievement of annual revenue and profitability targets.
• Event-wise budget adherence and contribution margins.
• On-time delivery of events and campaigns.
• Sponsorship and partnership revenue growth.
• Ticketing performance and patron retention.
• Completion and adoption of SOPs and operating systems.
• Improvement in team performance and accountability.
• Reduction in day-to-day operational dependency on the Co-founders.
• Successful expansion into new cities, formats and revenue streams.

Location

New Delhi, with travel required for events and projects across India.

Reporting To

Co-founders, Ibtida – Ek Mehfil