Head of Content (Conferences) - Exhibition industry

Company Description

Tahaluf is rewriting the events playbook. Its purpose is transformational, its DNA digital, and its ambition unprecedented. Tahaluf is scaling to further increase its lead as the largest B2B Live and On Demand Events organiser in Saudi Arabia: by SQM, Attendance, Colleagues and Revenue.   

 To scale at this pace requires impeccable local partners, and Tahaluf is proud to enjoy the support and partnership of several Government and Non-Government Organisations that are at the apex of Saudi’s B2B and B2C large scale events scene. In fact, our partners do not just support the expansion of live events in the Kingdom; they are also the partner of choice for heavyweights like Apple, Amazon and AliBaba.   

 Be part of something BIG! Building on the success of record-breaking tech event LEAP, the most attended tech event in the world, Tahaluf is making a huge impact on the global events sector. Tahaluf is bringing iconic Informa brands to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including Cityscape Global, which celebrated record-breaking participation at its debut Saudi edition and award-winning cyber-security event Black Hat.

 Join our ambitious and highly committed team, who are not afraid to push boundaries and disrupt the status quo. Be ready to be thrown in at the deep end, taking on large-scale projects from day one, under the guidance of a supportive leadership team who will encourage your personal development and offer you new opportunities.  

Job Description

We are building awe-inspiring experiences. We are launching award-winning brands. And we are scaling faster than any event organiser in history. Take a leap with Tahaluf, we are offering you the chance to:  

• Work within a highly dynamic business with the energy and style of a start-up  
• Be part of building a business that is launching new products and events at scale  
• Grab an opportunity to accelerate your career and make a real impact.  

As the Head of Content, you will be responsible for the management of the content production team. You will also be held accountable for the commerciality of conference content in the market, ensuring delegate conference sales and sponsorship sales are maximized.

You will be responsible for ensuring the conference team develops and creates an engaged community by producing powerful content for digital initiatives across social media and newsletters as well as the event's main conferences.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall strategic direction of the entire content strategy.
• Ensure the conference team meets and exceeds expectations when it comes to world-class content that can be monetized.
• In-charge of physical and digital content creation
• Speaker negotiation related to physical events, including multiyear deals
• Ensure value across a large-scale budget including negotiation with speaker agencies to include multiple speakers and deals spanning across 1-3 years
• Managing the production team, some of whom are based in different countries, including the training of new producers
• Hands on agenda writing for digital and physical products
• Scheduling of the production team across multiple months on the lead up to the event including mini-initiatives and satellite events
• Training of production team in SADCRAB including enhancing skill sets across copy writing, research, deadlines, briefings
• Sponsorship direction and sales briefings to the wider team to ensure they understand the value proposition, content objectives and USPs when pitching to clients to secure deals
• Government liaison and technical aspects across all relevant projects
• Oversight of the investor program and budget
• Work with department heads develop year-round strategies that will increase the commerciality of the conferences and content we produce
• Overall team management, appropriate resourcing, coaching and mentorship of team members

KPI’s

• Conference budget management
• Conference attendance and feedback
• Sponsorship revenue
• Timely delivery and quality of conference programs
• Strategy development and delivery

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Project management/commerciality
• Manage the overall operational, budgetary, and financial responsibilities and activities of the conference department
• Review performance data that includes financial, sales, and activity reports and spreadsheets, to monitor and measure departmental productivity, goal achievement, and overall effectiveness
• Plan, evaluate, and improve the efficiency of business processes and procedures to enhance speed, quality, efficiency, and output
• Review and approve creative briefs, conference brochures and briefs

People Management

• Mentor and provide any necessary training to the entire team and ensure all team members have the appropriate tools and methods to meet their required KPIs
• Develop, communicate and manage the bonus structures and KPIs for all team members
• Plan and allocate resources to effectively staff and accomplish the work to meet departmental productivity and quality goals

Reporting and communication

• Manage the preparation and maintenance of reports necessary to carry out the functions of the department
• Maintain transparent communication. Effectively communicate organization information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, and regular interpersonal communication
• Work closely with the marketing department to ensure quality attendees for the conferences by reviewing data selection and ensure quality data build for new conferences
• Develop new conference ideas, formats and content through brainstorming sessions and feedback from the healthcare community
• Identify key opinion leaders/institutions and companies within each show who can participate in the advisory board
• Develop conference production schedules that allow for the conference producers to adhere to realistic deadlines, delivering programs to market in a timely fashion
• Represent at key client and government meetings and provide regular updates as required, including the production of decks in PowerPoint

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent

Background Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Significant experience (8+ years) in conference production (plus delegate sales experience/knowledge)
• 2+ years in management role with strong editorial and client liaison experience (years less important than demonstrated experience)
• Track record of driving client, revenue, and team growth
• Work with key stakeholders such as ministries and government
• Demonstrate good teamwork with co-workers/peers
• Exceptional editing, ideation, and content strategy skill set and the ability to teach these skills to others
• Strong business, process development, and people management acumen
• Demonstrated ability to grow individual contributors from both a skill set and career standpoint
• Strong track record of building a creative, engaged culture that celebrates performance and individuality
• Skilled problem solver - demonstrated ability to zoom out (to drive larger strategic initiatives) and zoom in (get involved in client work)
• Demonstrated ability to balance priorities across different stakeholders and timeframes
• Computer literate and proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Knowledge of the industry is desirable
• Preferred experience in Middle East region, Arabic is a plus but not a requirement.

Additional Information

The opportunity to work at Tahaluf, working with a high-caliber cross-functional team of experienced professionals, while taking a leadership role in shaping the future of our registration capabilities.

What you will get

• Medical Insurance for individual and family
• Annual leave – 28 days 
• School fees contribution, 40,000 SAR per child per year, up to a max of three children  
• Wellbeing Benefits  
• Remote working on Sundays  
• Working anywhere – 2 months every year
• Family visa costs* (up to a max of three children) 
• Individual annual flight allowance* (Expat only) 

International Relocation Package*: 

• Paid flight to Riyadh (for you and your dependents) 
• 60 days accommodation or suitable serviced apartment from your arrival date. Alternatively, if you already have accommodation in Riyadh and do not require a hotel or serviced apartment, then we provide a one-off payment of SAR 5,000 
• SAR 2,500 towards shipping goods/excess baggage costs on production of receipts/invoices 

  Local Relocation Package*:   

• Paid flight to Riyadh (for you and your dependents) 
• 30 days accommodation or suitable serviced apartment from your arrival date. Alternatively, if you already have accommodation in Riyadh and do not require a hotel or serviced apartment, then we provide a one-off payment of SAR 5,000 
• SAR 2,500 towards shipping goods/excess baggage costs on production of receipts/invoices 

*If eligible   

We work hard to make sure life at Tahaluf is rewarding, supportive and enjoyable for everyone. We’re not solely focused on a checklist of skills. We champion energy and ambition and look for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up, join in and help make things happen. We don't just accept difference, we celebrate it.  We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and circumstances, and base hiring decisions on relevant qualifications and merit.  We are proud to provide a disability-friendly environment. If you require any support or adjustments to participate in our interview or selection processes, please let us know.