Conference and Events Manager

The position
Reporting to the Marketing and Communications Director, and working with a small team, the Conference and Events Manager will lead the delivery of a high quality, strategically focused national conference and events program to support AHURI’s objectives of influencing policy development and practice change.

The successful applicant will have significant experience—and a proven track record—in all aspects of large scale event/conference management. You will be able to demonstrate consistent high performance in project management, completing challenging tasks and meeting strict timelines. You will have outstanding interpersonal and communications skills to manage relationships with a number of important stakeholders, and develop appropriate marketing and communications messages to promote our conferences and events and attract delegates and sponsors.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties of the role include but are not limited to:

Develop and implement the annual/biennial conference and events strategy and update all necessary internal operating policies and procedures relating to the flagship biennial conferences.

Develop critical paths, risk management strategies and all Board papers (as required) for major biennial conferences.

Manage the Conference and Events Coordinator including allocation of all work, regular meetings, feedback and performance development plan and manage any additional contract staff that are recruited to work on the biennial conference program.

Apply exceptionally high organisation and conceptual skills to develop, manage and implement the biennial national conferences including:

• Program implementation – participate in and manage the program development team (a range of internal and external stakeholders) and oversee the management of all speaker engagement.
• Stakeholder engagement – act as the main point of contact with key stakeholders involved in the biennial conferences.
• Financial oversight – develop and manage budgets for biennial conferences.
• Marketing/delegate boosting – develop marketing plans including identification of growth target sectors, specific tactics, timelines and reporting plans.
• Sponsorship and exhibition – develop sponsorship strategy aimed at achieving strict sponsorship targets, identify and liaise with potential sponsors and exhibitors and develop and enhance exhibition precincts.
• Venue and supplier liaison – manage the relationship with the contracted Professional Conference Organiser, venue and other key suppliers as required.
• Onsite and post event – manage overall event run sheet, allocate staff roles and prepare all briefing documents and oversee relationship with PCO and venue on-site.

KEY COMPETENCIES

The essential requirements for the position include a demonstration of the following attributes:

A proven track record in successfully organising national and/or international conferences/major events.

Highly developed project and time management skills, with the ability to set priorities, and plan and organise complex tasks.

Demonstrated high level written skills, including the ability to prepare high quality editorial content for website and email newsletters, marketing and promotional material and other communication products for print and digital media.

Exemplary stakeholder relations skills and demonstrable experience in working effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Ability to lead, manage and develop staff and demonstrated capacity to work as a member of a team in a cooperative and collegial manner.

A tertiary qualification preferably in marketing, communications, tourism or hospitality management.

For a full list of Duties and Responsibilities and Key Competencies please download a copy of the Position Description at: https://www.ahuri.edu.au/about-us/employment-opportunities/conference-and-events-manager