Informa Markets Hiring for Exhibition Director – Technology Job at Dubai Full Time

Informa PLC is a leading international events, intelligence and scholarly research group.

Our purpose is to champion the specialist. Through hundreds of powerful brands we work with businesses and professionals in specialist markets, providing the connections, intelligence and opportunities that help customers grow, do business, make breakthroughs and take better informed decisions. Informa is listed on London Stock Exchange and a member of FTSE 100, with over 11,000 colleagues working in more than 30 countries.

You will lead the overall success of one of the most exciting technology events in the region – Black Hat. There is potential for the role to expand to cover one other seismic tech launch, whilst working for the world’s largest exhibitions and digital intelligence companies.

You will work closely with the Group director to create a sustainable and long-term strategy for Black Hat. Your future KPIs will be aligned to launching new initiatives, increasing digital and non-digital revenue and ensuring the event grows significantly YOY across all measurables.

You will be responsible for driving the team across marketing, sales, production and operations. This role will entail impeccable stakeholder management which sometimes will require work outside of typical hours.

This role will require significant travel to Saudi, including up to 4 weeks prior to the event opening based in Riyadh.

The Exhibition Director is responsible for collaborating with the event team to plan, deliver and evaluate events in line with strategic plans, brand guidelines and within budget. They will lead the achievement of event targets through effective team management and coordination with the senior event management team and identify opportunities for event growth as well as increasing non-square metre sales. The Exhibition Director will develop innovative ideas for event features and content to attract and enhance visitor/exhibitor experience. Effective people management practices are expected in order to drive continuous performance and results.

Key Performance Indicators

• Achievement of event targets in accordance with event budget.

• Regular communication & reporting of progress and results to the senior management team.
• Visible team management and leadership (e.g. Objective setting, training assessments, coaching, feedback and appraisals).
• Demonstration of event growth including increasing non-square metre sales.
• Development/enhancement of event features and content to achieve & improve visitor/exhibitor satisfaction ratings.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

EVENT MANAGEMENT

• Lead the development and maintenance of a strategic plan in collaboration with the senior management team.
• Oversee and monitor the strategic plan to ensure it is carried out on time and to budget.
• Agree the annual exhibition budget with the senior event management team and cascade this to team members.
• Uphold the brand reputation of Informa as the premier exhibition & events provider at all times.
• Ensure that the planned exhibition growth and targets are achievable with available resources.
• Create event content and features with the team that will ensure longer term visitor interest and or commercial success.
• Evaluate event effectiveness and recommend strategies for improvement.

EXHIBITION FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING

• Control and manage exhibition costs within budget through monthly reviews with Marketing and Exhibition Managers
• Liaise with the finance team to ensure compliance with event budget
• Ensure all documentation required is completed accurately and on time
• Track and document all revenue and cost transactions and communicate with the accounts department

EXHIBITION SALES

• Oversee event sales targets for team members.
• Lead and manage the sales team through monitoring sales activities and performance in coordination with the Sales Director.
• Schedule regular sales meetings in order to review performance and productivity and provide guidance and direction.
• Lead by example by bringing in sales and sponsorship deals.
• Analyse rebooking statistics and identify ways to maximize client retention.
• Strategize and produce opportunities for the exhibition teams to increase non square-metre sales.
• Provide opportunities for growth within each exhibition profile.

EXHIBITION MARKETING

• Create useful, internal working relationship with the Marketing Department.
• Contribute to the marketing strategy and oversee the execution of marketing plans and schedules in collaboration with the event marketing team.
• Monitor marketing activities and ensure they are executed on time and in-line with marketing plans.
• Work closely with the Marketing Manager to design/create copy for marketing materials, websites and digital media.
• Monitor database growth in appropriate markets and feedback on improvements.

EXHIBITION OPERATIONS

• Establish a useful, internal working relationship between the Sales and Marketing team and the Operations Department.
• Continually liaise with Operations Department with respect to floor plans and ensure client requirements are maintained.
• Closely adhere to logistics plans.
• Assist and provide support to the Operations team onsite, pre-, during an post-event.

REPORTING

• Ensure timely reporting to ensure any issue areas are Identified Complete weekly reporting structure with the event management team.
• Prepare monthly project reports with Exhibition Managers to be presented to Group Director.
• Prepare annual event budgets and forecasts.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

• Create an environment which encourages teamwork and collaboration.
• Assist in the hiring and retention of qualified and professional staff.

Effectively manage team members which includes:

• Setting clear expectations and objectives.
• Providing regular and structured feedback & coaching sessions to drive a high performance culture.
• Ensuring the effective on-boarding of new team members.
• Providing training and support.
• Managing the performance management process in line with company standards.
• Initiating recognition programs to reward and recognise individual and team achievement.
• Identifying team members for promotion/advancement and creating development plans with the HR team.
• Taking disciplinary action if/when necessary in conjunction with the HR team.
• Continual development of management and leadership skills.

Any other duties commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility.

Minimum Educational Level:

• Educated to degree standard in a business or event management field

Background Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Significant experience in a senior role within the exhibitions/consumer/brand sector.
• Extensive people management skills and experience.
• Experience with working in a pressured working environment.
• Speaks and writes clearly and fluently in English at all levels.
• Proficient in the use of Advanced MS Office including. intermediate/advanced Word and Excel.
• Thorough understanding of regional business culture.
• Good understanding of the regional consumer market.

Key Behavioural Competencies:

• Effective communication at all levels internally and externally.
• Trustworthy and discrete with sensitive information.
• Positive approach to team work.
• Effective negotiation skills.
• Remains calm and approachable under pressure.
• Promotes a learning environment through leadership and example.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Creative thinking skills for problem solving.
• Ability to work under pressure and within changing priorities and deadlines.
• Customer focus.
• Decision making.
• Result-driven.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Planning and organizing.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Time management.

Additional Information

Minimum Education Level:

• Educated to secondary standard (GCE ‘O’ Level/GCSE) or equivalent.
• Proactive, positive and willing to learn.
• Discreet and executive brand promotor of Group Director and REVP.
• Happy to work on a variety of different business and scheduling tasks.

Essential

• 2 years’ experience in a PA/Admin or support role where working accurately and to deadlines is a prerequisite.
• Strong administrative experience in a cross functional environment.
• Excellent telephone manner.
• Experience with expenses.
• Computer literate and proficient in the use of Microsoft Office.
• Attention to detail.
• Demonstrate fluency in written and spoken English.
• Numerate.
• Effective Communication.
• Customer Focus.
• Strong Organisational Ability.
• Teamwork.
• Flexible and Adaptable.