Job Description

Introduction

The Economist Events\xe2\x80\x94the award-winning events and conferences division of The Economist Group\xe2\x80\x94seeks a Programme Assistant. Drawing on the editorial resources of The Economist, we look to provide world-class speaker lists and audience-led events. The purpose of this role is to help deliver on this promise.

The Programme Assistant will be responsible for providing integral assistance to programme editors who are in charge of creating programmes and securing world-class speakers for Economist Events. The role requires strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to ability to manage multiple complex projects. This position would suit an enthusiastic and ambitious person with a keen interest in global affairs.

Accountabilities

In the role you will be expected to support programme editors to manage speaker invitations for Economist Events in EMEA.

Tasks may involve:

• Researching speakers, developing an understanding of why certain speakers would be suited to an event
• Producing compelling personalised speaker invitations
• Researching and proactively keeping track of speaker contact details, communications and requirements and ensuring all records are up to date. This involves working in Salesforce and Excel
• Following up speaker invitations by email or phone to ensure they are received and to check contact details
• Being responsible for managing speaker communications and logistics in the lead up to events. This includes:
• Collecting required information from speakers such as biography, photo, video release form, dinner attendance
• Setting calls between speakers and programmer editors or moderators
• Proactively communicating with confirmed speakers regularly
• Responding to inbound speaker queries
• Managing speaker and moderator travel requirements
• Coordinating protocol and security requirements for government and other high-level speakers
• Coordinating with marketing, sponsorship, operations and other teams to ensure smooth planning for and running of events
• Ensuring that all written and oral communications meet the standards of The Economist

Experience, skills and professional attributes

To succeed in this role you must have:

• University level education; a degree in language, media, policy, economics or a related discipline is desirable
• 1-2 years of work experience is an advantage
• Proficiency in written and spoken English is a core requirement of the role. The ability to write in clear business English and to make phone calls with a confident and professional demeanour in a range of situations is essential.
• The ability to speak Spanish is an advantage but is not necessary

You should be able to demonstrate:

• The ability to communicate effectively and professionally with senior-level business and government representatives (both from within The Economist Group and externally)
• Outstanding administrative and project management skills
• A highly organized and proactive temperament, with the ability to juggle competing demands and work on several projects simultaneously
• The 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
• Keen editorial judgement
• A clear understanding of The Economist and The Economist Events brands

This role will report to the Head of Programmes, EMEA. The hours of this role will be 11:00am \xe2\x80\x93 8:00pm IST to allow for regular communication with the global team, but the successful candidate should assume that much of the communication with the global team will take place via email and other written electronic platforms (such as Basecamp). To be successful in this role, you must be independent, highly organised and an efficient communicator. Initial and ongoing training will be available; peers in Hong Kong, New York and London will provide ongoing support.

The Economist Group