Conference Manager | IR Middle East Dubai, UAE

Event Management — By Samer Marzouq on November 23, 2009 at 12:38 pm

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:
•Construct a detailed programme of at least 20 speakers plus and multi-streamed sessions held over 4 days
•Secure over 20 senior level speakers from across the world
•Write the 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 the event strategy from market research to target growth through both delegate and sponsorship revenue streams for repeat conferences

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Programme development
•Perform detailed research and write the content of conference programmes
•Conduct market research to select, invite and secure high level speakers to cover all the key topics
•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.
•Monitor performance of marketing campaigns and suggest amendments or new ideas where necessary
•Market research to provide sales copy for all promotional literature including the conference programme, website homepage and all electronic promotional campaigns

Project Management
•Ensure profitability of events, create event 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 to improve the event in the future
•Complete post conference reports and analysis

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

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