Job Description

Do you want to join an innovative and entrepreneurial culture, at a rapidly growing early-stage B2B event startup? Reporting to the CEO/Director of Programming, the Conference Programmer will design, produce, and deliver relevant and timely conference programs.

You will work closely with the CEO/Director of Programming to develop a conference advisory board to help inform topic and speaker ideas. You will also manage high level speaker recruitment, identify strategic media and trade association partners, and advise on copy for outbound communications.

The Conference Programmer will play a critical role in ensuring content is produced to the highest of standards. This person will also work closely with sales and marketing on identifying potential sponsor speakers as well as developing a digital content strategy to complement the physical event. 

 

HOURS:  

Preferred hours are between 9:00AM - 6:00PM EST, Monday - Friday. Opportunity for both domestic and international travel. 

  

SUMMARY:  

Design, produce and deliver relevant and timely conference programs that cater to the networking and educational needs of the financial services market.   

 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:   

     → Advise the audience development team on audience demographics ensuring a balanced buy-sell side dynamic; ensure key VIPs are invited and confirmed to attend  
     → Build and maintain relationships with C-level executives across the industry as program advisors and professional stakeholders 
     → Conduct research via various channels to identify innovative conference topics, write and deliver program content, and source industry leaders as speakers
     → Identify emerging issues faced by the industry and stay informed about political and macroeconomic trends affecting the broader financial markets 
     → Knowledge of P&Ls and budgets to ensure event is on track to achieving financial target 
     → Oversee events’ weekly financial performance to meet targets, maintain future growth and stay within event budget  
     → Select event timing and venue to maximize industry participation, positioning against potential competitor events and in line with industry trends
     → Travel with the event team to manage conferences on site, ensuring that the finished product is executed professionally and successfully  
     → Work closely and communicate with other team members to ensure that the event is on track to achieve its financial targets.  Establishing existing and new sponsor leads to provide input a pipeline for sales team. 
     → Write copy for the event websites and other marketing collateral 

 

KEY INTERFACES:  

     → Establish external advisory boards to discuss content ideas, solicit advice on timing and location of the event, and speaker suggestions 
     → Consult with the event sponsors on desired speaking roles and topics of interest 
     → Work with the sales team to identify appropriate sponsor targets, given the subject matter.  Join sales calls when necessary to aid the sales process. 
     → Provide the audience development team with audience targets and educate them on the buy-sell dynamic for each individual event 
     → Liaise with meeting planners to ensure that the venues and hotels are meeting the needs of each specific conference and its delegates 
     → Constant communication with the coordination team to ensure that the websites are up-to-date and speakers are aware of their obligations in the lead up to and during the conference 
     → Work with the marketing team to design a marketing plan for each event, establish media partnerships and write copy for marketing collateral 
     → Keep management informed of conference progress and status with weekly updates 
     → Speaker training; Ensure speakers are aware of their obligations leading up to and during the conference 

 

SKILLS SUMMARY: 

      →   Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree required 
      →   3 - 5  years conference organization experience in organizing international events and conferences (NOTE: not venue logistics management, that is a separate role)  
      →   Experience in either conference program production or editorial in the markets we operate in –financial markets 
      →   Leadership qualities and self-motivated to drive event vision in line with company goals  
      →   Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
      →   Strong organization, communication, leadership and teamwork skills 
      →   Knowledge of financial services industry, in particular fixed income market a plus  
      →   Ability to identify emerging trends 
      →   Ability to make fast efficient decisions in a fast-paced business environment, and an adaptability to change  
      →   High level of planning, organization and influencing skills 
      →   Demonstrable awareness of budgeting and managing projects to tight deadlines  
      →   Project management skills and ability to handle multiple projects in a given timeframe   
      →   Attention to detail