Job Description

Introduction

The Economist Events, the award-winning events and conferences division of The Economist Group, seeks a Programme Assistant to execute custom programmes for the global events portfolio. With overall responsibility for content research, speaker recruitment and logistics, and drawing on the editorial resources of The Economist, the programme assistant will work with senior members of the team to deliver high-quality event experiences and content to our audiences.

The role requires strong written and oral communication skills, project management ability and business acumen. The role also involves collaboration and teamwork with other events team members.

Accountabilities

How you will contribute:

• Support programme editors to manage programme development, speaker invitations, and speaker management process on events. This process includes researching, inviting, liaising, and confirming senior-level speakers from government and the private sector to speak at Economist events
• Play a key role in the speaker invitation process under the supervision of programme editors. This includes researching contact details, creating and sending invitations, making follow up calls and emails, and setting meetings for programme editor
• 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 require
• Follow up with confirmed speakers to obtain key materials biography, photo, video release form, VIP dinner attendance. Help coordinate speaker travel arrangements as necessary.
• Be responsible for proactively keeping track of speaker contact details, communications and requirements and ensuring all records are up to date. This includes working with Salesforce and Excel Assist in conference programme development as required, including topic and speaker research
• 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
• Ensure that written and oral communication meets the high-quality standards of The Economist brand Experience, skills and professional attributes

• Bachelors degree in Journalism or related field; 1-2 years of work experience is an advantage
• 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 Highly organized and proactive personality
• Ability to work as part of a cross-functional team
• Problem solving and analytical capabilities, combined with an ability to carefully follow instructions and processes
• An understanding of The Economist and Economist Events brand and its position in the marketplace

The Economist Group