Manager, Conferences & Events at Business Day Newspaper

Description

• The Conferences & Events Manager will lead all operational and marketing aspects of Businessday Conferences & Events, focusing on the strategy and execution of year-round conferences and special events.
• Key responsibilities include selling partnership and sponsorship packages across the Businessday portfolio, targeting revenue from both sponsorships and delegate participation.
• This role requires a strong understanding of event marketing and operations, exceptional leadership and communication skills, and proficiency in identifying sponsorship opportunities, researching clients, and building relationships both in person and over the phone. Existing client relationships are a plus.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Achieve or exceed yearly and event sponsorship revenue targets by consistently selling to repeat sponsors, new clients, and prospects.
• Employ a researched, data-led approach to understand key markets and target clients.
• Identify and pursue sponsorship revenue opportunities independently, collaborating with the team to up-sell to top clients.
• Stay informed on industry news to effectively research clients.
• Attend conferences and events to generate new sales and manage client needs, maintaining strong relationships.
• Make daily calls to clients and prospects, and arrange face-to-face meetings to present sponsorship opportunities.
• Sell sponsorships for various events as needed.
• Maintain current commercial partners while sourcing new ones.
• Mentor Senior Sales Executives to enhance their knowledge of event sponsorship.
• Collaborate with commercial partners to maximize their ROI and enhance event offerings through brand activation.
• Source sponsorship partners that add value through investment and marketing reach.
• Lead regular sponsorship meetings with the Senior Sales team and report on pipelines to the Conferences Manager.
• Manage the sponsorship account process from initiation to debriefing.
• Provide senior management with a clear marketing plan for each event.
• Oversee the scheduling of conference emails to internal data lists according to marketing targets.
• Ensure events are promoted effectively on social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, through the Conference Marketing Executive.

Desired Qualification, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree is required: Marketing/Business degree preferred
• 5-10 years of marketing experience: Events/conferences marketing background preferred
• Minimum of 5 years management experience.
• Good commercial experience of a minimum of 5 years of selling sponsorship of high value multi-platform sales solutions
• Ideally strong existing relationships with a high-value clients/sponsors
• Results oriented and proficient in producing high quality pitches and proposals
• Proven experience and track record of successful marketing campaigns and delivering world class conferences
• Strong understanding of event /conferences strategy, operations, and marketing
• Ability to create program goals, messaging, communication and overall event plans with minimal direction
• Superior communication and people skills with the ability to work across all levels in an organization and with external event agencies.
• Exceptional leadership skills with a proven track record managing teams to deliver effective, integrated event programs and results.
• High energy, outgoing, “can do” personality. Ability to thrive in a changing environment
• Vast knowledge of a wide range of marketing techniques and concepts.