Conference Program Manager, BUILDEX Events

Company Description

We’re part of Informa, a global business with a network of trusted brands in specialist markets across more than 30 countries, and a member of the FTSE 100.

Our purpose is to connect our customers to information and people that help them know more, do more and be more. No other company in the world helps more people share professional knowledge or make business connections.

We run around 800 events each year, create digital platforms based on engaging news and information content, and operate professional development programs for individuals and businesses.

Job Description

Exciting opportunity to join Informa Connect’s Buildings & Construction Group. A dynamic position has arisen for a Conference Program Manager to join the team to produce and deliver in person and virtual events for BUILDEX. BUILDEX events are Western Canada’s largest business-to-business events connecting the whole building industry. Attendees join our face-to-face and virtual events to interact, learn and discover the newest innovations from markets in constant transformation.

Serving as a key member of the team, you will research, write, and deliver high quality innovative educational conference programs, recruit industry-leading speaker faculties, and ensure the marketability and commercial viability of BUILDEX’s educational conference programs.

You should have a proven track record of conference program creation. The successful applicant will play a central role in the evolution of BUILDEX as we become the premier destination for progressive design, construction and real estate practices in North America. In return, you will gain the support, autonomy and freedom to create, grow and develop in an exciting and active industry. You may work remotely, from an Informa office or coworking location. You can adopt existing and proven working processes of this role, or bring your own. You will receive excellent company health benefits, a competitive salary and three weeks’ vacation as standard.

Responsibilities:

• Produce high quality and innovative conference agendas using in-depth market research with industry stakeholders, customers, and key opinion leaders.
• Research important industry topics and trends to ensure conference content is highly relevant to the brand’s target audiences and supports its commercial goals.
• Source, select and secure the participation of industry leading speakers through research, networking, attending events, and existing contacts.
• Manage speaker proposals arising from a Call for Speakers process, industry partnerships and your own recruitment efforts, ensuring their alignment with the current year’s themes, target audience, and balance of interest areas.
• Oversee speaker management, communications, and change requests, supported by a conference coordinator.
• Develop and adopt new conference themes, features, and formats to evolve the brand’s conference offering.
• Support and on occasion lead the conference team to implement strategic, commercial, sustainability, quality, and / or D&I improvement initiatives.
• Take full responsibility for BUILDEX conferences and webinars, ensuring they run to schedule, deadlines, and budget.
• Work with the Marketing Team to develop content and promotional collateral to drive delegate registrations.
• Work closely with the Sales Team to create conference agendas, show features and products that drive sponsorship and exhibition sales.
• Work with the Operations Team to prepare for the onsite delivery of the conference and conference-related show features.
• Work with internal and external team members on websites, event schedules, registration platforms and continuing education credit submissions relating to the conference program.
• Become the primary point of contact for the onsite set-up, delivery and management of BUILDEX conferences.
• Work with internal and external team members to deliver post-event reports, deliverables, learnings, and insights.
• Occasional travel within Canada and US, and non-standard working hours are required on occasion as part of researching for and running the events.
• Function as integral part of overall show management team in performing additional duties as required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in a conference programming function.
• Strong experience and passion for researching and developing conference content.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to effectively multi-task.
• Creative thinking, problem-solver with ability to think on your feet.
• High level of proficiency in the use of computer software and online platforms including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, social media, web and mobile applications.
• Project oriented with superior attention to detail and excellent organizational and prioritization skills.
• Excellent English written / verbal / telephone communication skills, customer service orientated and comfortable working in in-person environments.
• Strong team player who interacts easily with external clients, vendors and internal teams.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Knowledge of, or experience working in the design, building, construction, or real estate industries is an advantage.

Additional Information

We work hard to make sure Life at Informa is rewarding, supportive and enjoyable for everyone. Here’s some of what you can expect when you join us. But don’t just take our word for it – see what our colleagues have to say at LifeAt.Informa.com

Our benefits include:

• Freedom & flexibility: colleagues rate us highly for the flexibility and trust they receive, and we support a range of working patterns
• Great community: a welcoming culture with in-person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World charity day and active diversity and inclusion networks
• Broader impact: take up to four days per year to volunteer, with charity match funding available too
• Career opportunity: the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms and on-demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning. When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves
• Comprehensive time of package: 10 vacation days, 8 paid emergency days, 1 paid day to celebrate your birthday and up to 4 paid volunteering days
• Work from almost anywhere for up to 4 weeks per calendar year
• Competitive benefits, including Share Match program
• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, free access to a wellness app and more
• Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programs
• As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world

We’re not solely focused on a checklist of skills. We champion energy and ambition and look for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up, join in and help make things happen. If it sounds like a match and you have most – although not all – of the skills and experience listed, we welcome your application. At Informa, you’ll find inclusive experiences and environments where all perspectives and backgrounds are welcomed.

As part of this approach and our diversity and inclusion commitments, we are also formally an Equal Opportunities Employer. This means we base decisions on relevant qualifications and merit and do not discriminate on the basis of key characteristics and statuses, including all of those protected by law. Ask us or see our website for full information.

See how Informa handles your personal data when you apply for a job here.

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