IIR Middle East

Job Description

Job Title: Conference Producer– Finance, Business and Infrastructure

Division: IIR Conferences

Department: Production

Reports To: DivisionalManager

JOB PURPOSE:

  • Research and write content of conference programmes
  • Invite and secure high level speakers for conferences
  • Create and drive the strategy for sponsorship, marketing and delegate sales
  • Ensure profitability of the event through effective project management

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

  • Conduct phone research with regional and global markets; ranging from 30 – 80 research calls
  • Construct a detailed program ranging from 20 - 50senior level speakers and multi-streamed sessions held over 4 days
  • Write marketing copy and formulate the strategy for the direct marketing campaign
  • Take full ownership and responsibility for effective briefing, management and motivation of sponsorship, marketing and delegate sales campaign
  • Ensure each event achieves a pre-agreed gross profit margin
  • For repeat conferences; execute and adapt theevent strategy from market research to target growth through both delegate and sponsorship revenue streamsfor repeat conferences
  • Conduct and deliver on all production activities within the given production schedule and timeline

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Programme development

  • Perform detailed desk and phone research; and compile research data
  • Develop and write the content for a market-driven conference programmes
  • Conduct market research to select, invite and secure high level speakers to cover all the sessions in the programme
  • Generate new topic ideas for future events and develop ideas for highly profitable add-on days

Sponsorship sales

  • Execute targeted research with potential commercial companies to establish a sales strategy for the sponsorship manager
  • Provide a detailed brief, key leads and ongoing campaign support to the sponsorship team
  • Maintain telephone contact with key sponsorship clients to establish their promotional strategies

Marketing

  • Work closely with the marketing department to ensure effective marketing of events
  • Monitorperformance of marketing campaigns and suggest amendments or new ideas where necessary
  • Market research togenerate and provide marketingcopy for all promotional literature including the conference programme, website homepage and all electronic promotional campaigns

Project Management

  • Ensure profitability of events, overseeevent budgets and monitor overall costs
  • Onsite conference management: Ensure the smooth running of the event and liaise effectively with sponsors, speakers and delegates
  • Develop contacts and maintain industry relationships to improve the event in the future
  • Complete post-conference reports and analysis

CandidateSpecification

MINIMUM EDUCATION LEVEL

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent

BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Minimum of one year experience in a commercial environment, ideally within a B2B conference organisation
  • Telephone based research skills including ‘cold calling’
  • Experience of working in a deadline driven environment
  • Strong research and analytical skills
  • High-level competency in writing strong sales-driven copy in English
  • Ability to work as part of a close knit team
  • Strong project management and organisational skills

Desirable

  • Entrepreneurial/commercial aptitude
  • Experience in Middle Eastern markets
  • Demonstrated ability to grow events with experience in working with both delegate and sponsorship revenue
  • Experience in finance and investment related markets

Behavioural Competencies & Job Standard

  • Flexible and adaptable
  • Customer focus
  • Commitment to results / results driven
  • Business and commercial awareness
  • Analytical thinking
  • Planning and organising
  • Ability to work under pressure and within changing priorities and deadlines
  • Effective communication at all levels both externally and internally
  • Decision making
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Positive approach to working as a member of a team
  • Ability to multi task
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Time management
  • Innovative
  • Influence and persuasion
  • Cultural awareness and sensitivity
  • Trustworthy and discreet with sensitive information

August 2012