Grip Onsite Manager - Freelance

Freelance Grip Onsite Manager

Grip Onsite | Grip

Who are We?

Grip is the AI-powered, end-to-end event platform built for engagement. We help commercial event organisers like Ascential, Hyve, Emerald and Clarion Events boost revenue by establishing, maintaining and tracking relationships between participants. We work with 12 out of 20 of the largest event organisers globally and are known for our revolutionary AI matchmaking engine.

Grip Onsite is our integrated registration and badge printing solution — combining self-serve kiosks, premium check-in stations, SmartBadges, and onsite technician support to deliver seamless attendee experiences at events worldwide.

The Role

As Freelance Grip Onsite Manager, you will own two interconnected areas: the hands-on operational delivery of Grip Onsite at live events, and the strategic growth of Grip Onsite as a commercial business unit. You'll be the expert on everything from badge stock and printer hardware to supplier relationships and process scalability — ensuring every event we support runs flawlessly and that the business behind it grows sustainably.

This is a freelance role suited to someone equally comfortable troubleshooting a printer at a registration desk and sitting in a commercial meeting.

Core Responsibilities

Onsite Operations

• Own end-to-end delivery of Grip Onsite at live events, covering setup, operation, and breakdown of all hardware (kiosks, laptops, thermal printers, entrance scanners)

• Manage badge stock across both product lines — firm laminated and paper — including production timelines, design approvals, delivery coordination, and backup stock planning

• Oversee SmartBadge deployments: hardware configuration, 3rd Party integrations with Grip Manage and Grip Engage, data validation, and onsite testing

• Serve as the primary escalation point for technical issues during live events across both Self-Serve and White Glove service models

• Manage and coordinate 3rd Party technicians: scheduling, briefing, travel and accommodation logistics, and onsite performance

• Ensure every event is fully prepared through rigorous pre-event checklists — hardware, software access, badge designs, integration validation, and customer briefings

• Lead or support Walkthrough calls with customers 2 weeks before events, confirming badge fields, kiosk branding, technician needs, and attendee flow

• Develop the technician pool and support model to ensure Grip can scale to more events across more geographies

• Support the Sales team with deal structuring, quoting accuracy, and DealDesk input on Grip Onsite opportunities

Experience and Skills

You should have:

• Proven experience in live event operations, registration technology, or onsite event services — you've been on the floor and know what can go wrong

• Strong understanding of badge printing workflows, hardware logistics, and onsite registration systems (experience with onsite registration solutions is a strong plus)

• Excellent supplier management skills — comfortable holding partners accountable to SLAs and resolving issues quickly

• A structured, process-oriented mindset: you document, you build playbooks, you hate ad hoc chaos

• Clear and confident communicator — able to work with customers pre-event, manage technicians onsite, and present business performance to internal stakeholders

• Comfortable working independently and remotely, while being responsive and decisive when things move fast onsite

• Familiarity with tools like Salesforce, Google Sheets, and project tracking systems is a plus

What Success Looks Like

• Events are delivered on time, on spec, and without technical failures

• Customers are well-briefed, confident, and satisfied

• Margin targets across hardware, badge stock, and onsite support are met or exceeded

• Operational processes are documented, repeatable, and scalable

• Grip Onsite grows its event count and client base quarter over quarter

Working Arrangements

• Freelance / contract engagement

• Remote for business unit and operational planning work

• Travel required for White Glove events (international travel may be needed)

• Flexible hours with clear on-call expectations during live event windows