Job Description

Introduction

We are seeking a programme assistant for The Economist's custom events business. This role will provide integral assistance to programme editors and regional heads who manage the development and delivery of content, programmes and speaker recruitment for the growing custom business across Europe and the Americas. You will be responsible for theme and speaker research, managing the speaker invitation campaign, onboarding confirmed speakers, preparing content briefing packs, and supporting at live events as required.

Accountabilities

In this role you will be expected to:

• Support the programme lead to manage programme development, speaker invitations, and speaker management process on custom events. This process includes researching, inviting, liaising, and confirming senior-level speakers from government and the private sector to speak at our bespoke events.
• Be responsible for managing speaker communications and logistics in the lead up to events. This includes collecting required information from speakers, setting calls between speakers and moderators, proactively communicating with speakers regularly and responding to queries, managing speaker and moderator travel and protocol requirements, liaising with marketing, operations and editorial staff, and other administrative tasks as required.
• Be responsible for managing speaker records and updating project presentations. This includes working with Salesforce and Excel.
• Coordinate with marketing, sponsorship, operations and other teams to ensure smooth planning for and running of events.
• Occasional travel to events, including on-site event management as required and when travel restrictions allow.
• Ensure that written and oral communication meets the high-quality standards of The Economist brand.

Experience, skills and professional attributes

To succeed in the role you must have:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English. Ability to make phone calls with a confident and professional demeanour in a range of situations. Ability to write in clear business English
• Ability to communicate with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including senior-level business and government representatives from around the world
• Outstanding administrative and project management skills
• Problem solving and analytical capabilities, combined with an ability to carefully follow instructions and processes to tight deadlines
• An understanding of The Economist and Economist Impact brand and its position in the marketplace
• A positive, can-do mindset and ability to work collaboratively in a close-knit, dynamic team
• Work in the London office at least two days a week