Main function of job (Note: In addition to these functions you may be required to carry out other duties as may reasonably be required)

In conjunction with the Commercial Director, to research, develop, promote and manage a profit-centred, but value for money business from the building up of Association conferences, seminars and training. This entails contributing to the creation of a commercially-viable programme of events for the industry through liaison with internal executives, Association members and other banking practitioners, Association professional associates, other trade bodies, consultants and academics.

The emphasis is on providing the latest policy or industry functional information across focussed levels of seniority and areas of function. This will be achieved in the main through the provision of training workshops and medium-sized events to be held at our own venue, and larger external conferences that are held in venues across London and the UK. The clear objective is to enable the delivery of up-to-date information on those current and upcoming issues that affect the banking industry and the Association’s members, in as quick, easy and professional a manner as possible.

Management/Supervisory responsibilities
Reporting to the Head of Conferences and through them, to the Executive Director, Communications, the position sits within the team, which consists of the following roles: three Administrators, a Training Manager, a Publications Manager, a Commercial Director, a Marketing Executive, the Executive Director and the Conference Manager. There are no direct line-management duties. The Admin. team allocates their time to the Conference business for delegate administration, venue/catering liaison, marketing mail-outs, general speaker management/administration duties and on-the-day registration etc

Duties/responsibilities

Production:

• Building and writing of individual training and conference programmes in conjunction with directors, member banks, professional associates and through delegate feedback

• Identifying, contacting and confirming speakers by phone, e-mail and letter

• On-going liaison with members about issues to consider for events through questionnaires, evaluation forms, members’ website, feedback forms etc.

• Ensuring that a mix of practitioner/member/professional associate input is included in all events

• Provision of high quality materials/presentations at all times

• On the day overseeing of events in terms of set-up and speaker management (backed-up by administrator for registration, badges, packs etc.)

• Working with the Admin. Team in order to correspond with Support and Catering in planning set-ups, catering, schedules, and in following up enquiries, invoicing and general admin. for the Conference business

External:

• Developing contacts with past, potential or current speakers

• Liaising with 3^rd party organisations for input, support and participation

• Contributions to the identification and acquisition of suitable conference sponsors

• On-going relationship building with member bank contacts for ideas, presenters, support, feedback.

Marketing:

• Management of the print design, production of flyers,  development of brand and newsletter

• Monitoring of other competitors’ products for ideas, speakers, contributors, prices, topics, date clashes etc.

General:

• Learning the workings and objectives of policy work

• Researching banking issues through media and internet to gain picture of industry topics

• Reporting on an ongoing basis to the conference manager and the team on current position and new developments

• Retaining an element of flexibility in order to occasionally help with other events or team matters

• Retaining element of flexibility to cover other programme production work not owned by the conference producer over holiday periods or times of sickness

Financials/administration:

• Following of budget and monitoring/awareness of figures

• Involvement with the Head of Conferences in negotiation of 3^rd-party joint-venture financial agreements where necessary in terms of fees to organisation or participants

• Contributing to the establishment of clear and recorded working procedures for administration, and conference management

Experience required:

The position requires the holder to have 6 -18 months’ experience of producing conferences in a commercial conference environment or trade association. Experience of producing in the area of financial services would be an advantage but is not essential.

The post-holder must be able to demonstrate the key requirement of strong experience in having developed conferences, workshops and events. Knowledge of the creation of marketing briefs for direct mail campaigns is preferable.  Strong communication, organisation and administration skills are also needed.

 

Any particular aptitude/skill required:

This position requires good communication, diplomatic, persuasive and organisational skills, a strategic approach, a self directed attitude and an ability to contribute to the development of a business line