Budget Producer / Cost Controller

Position - Budget Producer & Cost Controller

Duration - Immediate till 31st January 2027

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Budget Producer to manage budgeting and cost control for multiple events and experiential projects. The successful candidate will oversee project finances from initial concept and estimation through live cost tracking and final reconciliation.

This is a numbers-focused role requiring strong analytical skills, advanced Excel proficiency, and a solid understanding of event production costs, commercial margins, and budget management.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate creative briefs and concepts into detailed, line-by-line budgets.
• Prepare and maintain budgets for pitches, approved projects, and revisions.
• Develop cost estimates and budget options aligned with project scope and client requirements.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising creative quality.

Cost Analysis

• Review supplier quotations across event production, fabrication, staging, AV/LED, lighting, rigging, F&B, hospitality, logistics, and talent.
• Compare quotations on a like-for-like basis and identify discrepancies, missing costs, and pricing outliers.
• Highlight cost-related queries for the project team to follow up with suppliers.
• Develop cost benchmarks using historical project data.

Budget Control & Profitability

• Prepare client-facing budgets with clear commercial assumptions and margins.
• Track approved budgets, client invoicing, and actual supplier costs.
• Maintain accurate budget versions and document scope changes.
• Identify budget variances and margin risks, and support change requests.
• Maintain live cost trackers throughout event build-up, show days, and de-rig.
• Monitor purchase orders, approvals, and invoices in coordination with Finance.
• Reconcile invoices against quotations, purchase orders, and approved budgets.
• Prepare final budget reconciliations covering actual costs, margins, variances, and lessons learned.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in an event agency, experiential agency, or event production company, including at least 3 years in budget production, cost control, or estimating.
• Proven experience managing budgets for large-scale events, brand activations, product launches, conferences, exhibitions, or live experiences.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including complex formulas, lookups, pivot tables, scenario modelling, and budget trackers.
• Strong understanding of margins, mark-ups, agency fees, and UAE VAT.
• Excellent analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• A degree in Business, Finance, Event Management, or a related field is preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.

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