Event Director

WHO WE ARE:

CloserStill Media run over 80 market leading business exhibitions in the learning, healthcare, technology, and veterinary sectors, with events in Asia, UK, Europe and USA.

Our portfolio includes some of the fastest growing, and often award-winning events including the Singapore Vet Show, Cloud Expo Asia, Data Centre World, eCommerce Expo, Learning Technologies and DevLearn.

We are the envy of the events sector with over 60 major industry awards including The Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies to work for three years in a row in 2018, 2019 and 2020!

We have exciting growth plans over the next two to three years and are looking for ambitious and motivated people to join our award-winning teams.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

CloserStill Media (CSM) is looking for an experienced Event Director to launch and scale a new technology show in Japan, building the event – and the team behind it – from the ground up. If you are energised by the challenge of establishing a brand-new market, enjoy owning a P&L end-to-end and want the opportunity to shape an event's future as the face of the brand in Japan, this is the role for you.

You will bring a proven track record as an Event Director or Senior Event Manager, ideally with experience launching a new market or inaugural event in Japan or the wider APAC region. You are commercially astute, comfortable setting and delivering against budgets, sales targets and P&L responsibility and confident building strategy across brand, marketing, operations and sales.

THE ROLE:

Develop and deliver effective strategies for the event program, budget, resources and team under the direction of the Commercial Director, ensuring scalable and sustainable growth. Collaborate with internal departments, external partners as well as vendors to ensure smooth planning and execution. Manage budgets against target margins to maximise return on investment, while supporting senior management with wider business priorities as required.

Brands

• Through research, analysis, developing relationships and market intelligence, to implement strategies and initiatives to ensure the on-going growth and sustainability of the event – writing a business plan for the event (updated annually)

• Produce coherent brand strategy for the event to maintain and increase relevance to target markets, meeting key-stakeholder expectations

• Ensure that marketing strategy is aligned with the event’s commercial objectives

• Configure a strategic event floor plan in conjunction with the operations team – designed to meet the budget target and optimise the visitors experience and ensure constant and consistent visitor stand traffic for exhibitors

• Identify and implement (where possible and appropriate) additional inventory items, revenue streams and brand extension opportunities

• Monitor and report competitor activity, taking actions where necessary

• Understand event’s market trends and develop event around it

Financial

• Work alongside senior management in setting annual P&L, with accountability for meeting and exceeding budgeted gross and net profit contribution of the event

• Ensure that the PO process is adhered to and any anomalies in the monthly management accounts are spotted early and acted upon

• Monitor (and support where necessary) credit control’s collection of funds, ensuring all payments are received according to agreed schedules

• Provide a monthly report and forecast on show revenues, contribution, manpower and actions that are being taken for the shows to achieve budget
  

General Management

• Day-to-day management of the event team

• Build the Data Centre World Japan (DCWJ) team from the ground up, including recruiting, onboarding and managing staff, as well as collaborating with partners and sales agents ahead of the show’s launch.

• Set clear goals and objectives for all reporting staff

• Set, monitor and evaluate performance targets (with the aid of CRM applications)

• Create, monitor and evaluate individual bonus plans for the show team

• Complete annual and mid-term staff appraisals as necessary

• Assess, develop and coach all reporting staff (including identifying bespoke training needs of individuals where necessary)

• Motivate the team and foster a high-performance culture

• Coach and develop the team in all aspects of their roles, creating transition map to expanded roles and promotion where appropriate

• Interdepartmental – manage relationships with supporting departments, ensuring they are aligned to the event’s business objectives and commercial goals

Operations

• Work with the Head of Operations to develop an operational strategy that meets/comes in under budget while ensuring high levels of exhibitor and delegate experiences and production values are maintained

• Ensure the operational plan is being delivered in an efficient and timely manner

Marketing

• Develop campaign strategy with Head of Marketing / marketing team to meet overall visitor numbers (with the right demographics), feature content, visitor and acquisition costs

• Personally manage all key industry partnerships in conjunction with Head of Marketing / marketing team

• Develop an exhibitor campaign strategy including vertical and horizontal activity

• Appoint contractors/suppliers/agencies with the Head of Marketing / marketing team as required

• Conduct press/TV and radio interviews as necessary

Relationships

• Foster positive and professional relationships with key suppliers, associations, media and commercial partners

Sales

• Manage Event Managers and other sales staff within the show

• Develop and manage commercial partnerships aligning with commercial strategy

• Lead by example – achieve personal sales targets

• Develop a campaign strategy with the sales team that meets and exceeds targets including overall numbers of exhibitors, exhibitor mix, stand sales, sponsorship inventory, yield and sponsorship revenues

• Ensure the sales plan is being delivered on target and budget, managing activity targets (outbound call volumes and face-to-face meetings) when necessary

• Support the sales team in developing new revenues streams, including creative and complex deals

• Visit and canvas at competitor and industry events and develop a systematic understanding of and monitoring of competitors

• Plan, manage and execute the rebooking process

• Support the sales team frequently on prospecting calls and meetings to identify areas for improvement and enhanced sales performance

• Work with Marketing on developing and managing the prospect database to ensure it is constantly updated and is fit for purpose falling in line with the companies CRM policy.

• Ensure consistent high-quality conduct in all prospect, exhibitor and partner communications, ensuring the upholding of the business and brand’s reputation

ABOUT YOU:

• Previous experience as an Event Director or Senior Event Manager. Experience launching a new market or inaugural event, ideally in Japan or the wider APAC region, is highly advantageous.

• Experience managing large scale trade shows.

• Collaborative mindset and a team player are a must.

• Passionate, driven, energetic and enthusiastic.

• High personal standards and values.

• A track record of achievement and over-achievement.

• A proven ability to hit and exceed sales targets.

• Proficient IT skills including Salesforce CRM.

• Fluent in Japanese, with the ability to read, write and pitch confidently to Japanese clients, partners and government stakeholders.

• Strong understanding of Japanese business culture, etiquette and negotiation nuances.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:

CloserStill Media embrace diversity in all its forms and are committed to continuing to develop a diverse and inclusive environment that encourages collaboration and innovation.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment based on merit without attention to age, ethnicity, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status or disability status.