This role will lead the strategic planning, flawless execution, and continuous evolution of MWC Shanghai. This critical leadership role is responsible for the end-to-end delivery of this complex, large-scale international event, ensuring it delivers exceptional value to attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and partners while upholding the prestigious GSMA brand. You will lead a dedicated team and collaborate extensively across GSMA functions to create a world-class experience that drives business goals and industry impact.
Department: Greater China Region Team
Location: Shanghai
Position type: Permanent, Full-Time
What the hiring manager says
“MWC Shanghai is more than an event—it is the beating heart of the global tech and telecom ecosystem in Asia. As the region’s most influential gathering, it unites industry leaders, innovators, startups, and policymakers to accelerate collaboration, showcase breakthroughs, and shape the future of connectivity. Today, in the AI-driven era, MWC Shanghai stands as a definitive bridge: linking the world’s most innovative regions—East Asia, Southeast Asia, and beyond—to debut AI-powered solutions that redefine how we live, work, and connect.
As Head of Events for MWC Shanghai, you will not just “manage” an event—you will lead its strategic vision and execution, turning it into a platform that drives industry transformation, elevates regional innovation on the global stage, and strengthens GSMA’s role as the ecosystem’s trusted convener. This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to leave a lasting mark on an industry in flux—and grow a show that delivers impact at scale.”
Sihan Chen, Head of Greater China
About the Team
The GSMA Greater China Region unites the mobile ecosystem to advance a diverse range of initiatives in the region. Our focus spans the leadership of MWC Shanghai, as well as the promotion and execution of GSMA’s global programs, advocacy efforts, membership services, and working groups.
Through our international events and platforms—including the MWC series, GSMA Intelligence, Mobile World Live, and regional events like Post-MWC Sharing (China Week) and Innovation Forums—we drive industry consensus, amplify our partners’ global impact, and collaborate closely with members and stakeholders across the broader ecosystem. Together, we foster international cooperation and enable the sustainable development and growth of the mobile industry in Greater China.
About the role
We are seeking a visionary and highly experienced ‘Head of Events’ to lead the strategic planning, flawless execution, and continuous evolution of MWC Shanghai. This critical leadership role is responsible for the end-to-end delivery of this complex, large-scale international event, ensuring it delivers exceptional value to attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and partners while upholding the prestigious GSMA brand. You will lead and collaborate extensively across GSMA functions to create a world-class experience that drives business goals and industry impact.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Event Lifecycle Management
- Develop and execute the overarching event strategy for MWC Shanghai, aligning with GSMA's global MWC vision and regional business objectives.
- Oversee the entire event lifecycle from initial concept and planning through on-site execution and post-event analysis.
- Define the event format, structure, and core experience pillars to elevate MWC Shanghai to a must attend high tech show in Asia with good international participation.
Operational Excellence & Logistics
- Lead the selection, negotiation, and management of the primary venue(s) and all ancillary spaces.
- Be capable of working with virtual team with dotted reporting line and direct and coordinating all logistical planning and execution, including registration, security, catering, F&B, transportation, signage, build-up/breakdown, technology infrastructure, and sustainability initiatives.
- Ensure seamless integration of key event components (Exhibition, Conference, Partner Programmes, Networking Hubs, Awards, etc.) and new features
- Implement robust risk management and contingency plans, including crisis management protocols specific to large-scale events in Shanghai.
Financial & Resource Stewardship
- Develop, manage, and control the comprehensive MWC Shanghai event budget, setting income targets and meticulously tracking expenses.
- Optimize resource allocation with the Head of Greater China for maximum efficiency and impact.
- Negotiate and manage contracts with vendors, suppliers, and contractors to ensure best value and service.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, motivate, and mentor a high-performing core events team (both direct and indirect reports).
- Foster a collaborative, results-oriented, and positive team culture.
- Manage agency relationships and on-site temporary staff/volunteers.
All-year-round Roadshows, Promotion & Media Briefings
- Working with Greater China Technology, Strategic Engagement, Ecosystem Engagement, public policy teams to promote MWC Shanghai through road shows, roundtables and other forms like media briefings.
- Working closely with event marketing team to implement effective marketing campaigns and generate high quality leads
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
- Serve as the primary operational lead for MWC Shanghai internally and a key point of contact externally.
- Collaborate closely with internal GSMA teams (Commercial/Sales, Marketing, Conference, Digital, Finance, PR, Security, Legal Sustainability, Event Operation, IT, Sponsorship etc ).
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders: Venue management, Shanghai authorities (permits, regulations), major sponsors/exhibitors, vendors, contractors, and industry partners.
- Communicate event plans, progress, and issues effectively to senior leadership.
Sponsorship & Exhibitor Experience
- Partner closely with the Commercial/Sales team to understand sponsor/exhibitor requirements and ensure event delivery meets or exceeds their expectations.
- Oversee the operational fulfilment of sponsor/exhibitor deliverables and entitlements.
- Continuously enhance the exhibitor and sponsor experience.
Attendee Experience & Satisfaction:
- Champion the attendee journey, ensuring a seamless, engaging, and valuable experience from registration through departure.
- Implement feedback mechanisms and drive initiatives to improve attendee satisfaction year-on-year.
Post-Event Analysis & Continuous Improvement:
- Conduct thorough post-event evaluations, analysing KPIs (financial, the structure and No. of exhibitors, attendance satisfaction, international participation, operational metrics).
- Gather stakeholder feedback and work with event marketing to compile comprehensive post-event reports.
- Identify successes, challenges, and opportunities for innovation and improvement for future events.
About You
- Significant experience in managing large-scale, complex B2B events is required, including proven success in a senior leadership role.
- Exceptional leadership and people management skills with ability to inspire, motivate and lead diverse teams . Å
- Demonstrated ability to deliver international events with over 40,000 attendees is essential.
- Deep expertise in all aspects of large-scale event logistics, production, and venue management
- Experience in the technology sector or in major trade shows and exhibitions is preferred.
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, prioritise effectively, and meet strict deadlines.
- Budget management and proven ability to negotiate complex contracts and manage high-value vendor/supplier relationships effectively
- Strong Mandarin and English language proficiency and effective communication skills are necessary.
- Proven experience working internationally and in cross-cultural environments, specifically with experience in China/Shanghai
- Candidates with an interest in innovation, connecting ecosystems, and leading significant events relating to AI in Asia are encouraged to apply.
About Your Skills
Leadership, Communication, Stakeholder Management, Innovation and Project Management are key skills to this role. A Candidate Guide will be provided as part of the selection process to help you understand the key skills we are looking for and to support you in preparing for each stage of the process.
Contract type
Regular
Worker type
Employee
What We Offer
Working at the GSMA offers you unparalleled access to the mobile industry. We offer a chance to truly shape the direction of mobile, whatever your role. By joining the GSMA, you will be exposed to a fast-paced rapidly evolving environment, working on global solutions, genuinely fascinating and industry-changing projects and a stimulating and dynamic environment designed to enable you to flourish.
In addition to architect-designed offices and competitive compensation, our benefits include fantastic learning & development opportunities, generous holiday allowances, four additional days off for professional development and many others.
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Being You at the GSMA
We care deeply about diversity, equity and inclusivity and aspire to be the best at it. Your well-being and work/life balance is important, so flexi-time and remote working is available to all staff. We're keen to ensure everyone is equal, represented and connected so we particularly encourage applications from all demographics. The sucess of the GSMA year on year will continue to be contributed by people from all walks of life.
GSMA Values
Our values not only drive our culture – they shape how we work and interact inside and outside our global organisation.
Passionately driven
We approach everything we do with unparalleled capability, tenacity and commitment, knowing that the challenging scale, pace and complexity of our work is what leads to its world-changing impact.
Insightful leaders
We continually develop and engage our expertise, insight and creativity so that we’re always ready to respond to the changing landscape with authority, agility and nuance.
Stronger together
We lean on each other so the industry can lean on us, embracing our diversity by actively seeking out perspectives and skill sets beyond our own, fuelling each other’s successes and constantly asking how we can help.
Underpinning our values is our collective mindset to show up purposefully as good human beings every day, in every situation. When we’re at our best – we are collaborative, considerate and compassionate to others, and we create a safe space for one another to thrive, assuming positive intent in our colleagues. And if we aren’t at our best and the pressure is on – we feel free to be ourselves but still remain curious, lean into the tough stuff and we are always respectful to others and accountable for the part we play.