Event Director - Technology Portfolio (Japanese speaking)

CloserStill Media busca un Event Director con experiencia para lanzar y escalar un nuevo evento tecnológico en Japón, construyendo el evento y el equipo desde cero. El rol implica asumir la responsabilidad total del P&L, desarrollar estrategias de marca, marketing, operaciones y ventas, y gestionar al equipo del evento. Serás la cara de la marca en Japón, estableciendo relaciones con clientes, socios y partes interesadas gubernamentales, y asegurando el crecimiento sostenible del evento.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver effective strategies for the event program, budget, resources and team under the direction of the Commercial Director, ensuring scalable and sustainable growth. Collaborate with internal departments, external partners as well as vendors to ensure smooth planning and execution. Manage budgets against target margins to maximise return on investment, while supporting senior management with wider business priorities as required.
• Through research, analysis, developing relationships and market intelligence, to implement strategies and initiatives to ensure the on-going growth and sustainability of the event – writing a business plan for the event (updated annually)
• Produce coherent brand strategy for the event to maintain and increase relevance to target markets, meeting key-stakeholder expectations
• Ensure that marketing strategy is aligned with the event’s commercial objectives
• Configure a strategic event floor plan in conjunction with the operations team – designed to meet the budget target and optimise the visitors experience and ensure constant and consistent visitor stand traffic for exhibitors
• Identify and implement (where possible and appropriate) additional inventory items, revenue streams and brand extension opportunities
• Monitor and report competitor activity, taking actions where necessary
• Understand event’s market trends and develop event around it
• Work alongside senior management in setting annual P&L, with accountability for meeting and exceeding budgeted gross and net profit contribution of the event
• Ensure that the PO process is adhered to and any anomalies in the monthly management accounts are spotted early and acted upon
• Monitor (and support where necessary) credit control’s collection of funds, ensuring all payments are received according to agreed schedules
• Provide a monthly report and forecast on show revenues, contribution, manpower and actions that are being taken for the shows to achieve budget
• Day-to-day management of the event team
• Build the Data Centre World Japan (DCWJ) team from the ground up, including recruiting, onboarding and managing staff, as well as collaborating with partners and sales agents ahead of the show’s launch.
• Set clear goals and objectives for all reporting staff
• Set, monitor and evaluate performance targets (with the aid of CRM applications)
• Create, monitor and evaluate individual bonus plans for the show team
• Complete annual and mid-term staff appraisals as necessary
• Assess, develop and coach all reporting staff (including identifying bespoke training needs of individuals where necessary)
• Motivate the team and foster a high-performance culture
• Coach and develop the team in all aspects of their roles, creating transition map to expanded roles and promotion where appropriate
• Interdepartmental – manage relationships with supporting departments, ensuring they are aligned to the event’s business objectives and commercial goals
• Work with the Head of Operations to develop an operational strategy that meets/comes in under budget while ensuring high levels of exhibitor and delegate experiences and production values are maintained
• Ensure the operational plan is being delivered in an efficient and timely manner
• Develop campaign strategy with Head of Marketing / marketing team to meet overall visitor numbers (with the right demographics), feature content, visitor and acquisition costs
• Personally manage all key industry partnerships in conjunction with Head of Marketing / marketing team
• Develop an exhibitor campaign strategy including vertical and horizontal activity
• Appoint contractors/suppliers/agencies with the Head of Marketing / marketing team as required
• Conduct press/TV and radio interviews as necessary
• Foster positive and professional relationships with key suppliers, associations, media and commercial partners
• Manage Event Managers and other sales staff within the show
• Develop and manage commercial partnerships aligning with commercial strategy
• Lead by example – achieve personal sales targets
• Develop a campaign strategy with the sales team that meets and exceeds targets including overall numbers of exhibitors, exhibitor mix, stand sales, sponsorship inventory, yield and sponsorship revenues
• Ensure the sales plan is being delivered on target and budget, managing activity targets (outbound call volumes and face-to-face meetings) when necessary
• Support the sales team in developing new revenues streams, including creative and complex deals
• Visit and canvas at competitor and industry events and develop a systematic understanding of and monitoring of competitors
• Plan, manage and execute the rebooking process
• Support the sales team frequently on prospecting calls and meetings to identify areas for improvement and enhanced sales performance
• Work with Marketing on developing and managing the prospect database to ensure it is constantly updated and is fit for purpose falling in line with the companies CRM policy.
• Ensure consistent high-quality conduct in all prospect, exhibitor and partner communications, ensuring the upholding of the business and brand’s reputation

Requirements

• Previous experience as an Event Director or Senior Event Manager. Experience launching a new market or inaugural event, ideally in Japan or the wider APAC region, is highly advantageous.
• Experience managing large scale trade shows.
• Collaborative mindset and a team player are a must.
• Passionate, driven, energetic and enthusiastic.
• High personal standards and values.
• A track record of achievement and over-achievement.
• A proven ability to hit and exceed sales targets.
• Proficient IT skills including Salesforce CRM.
• Fluent in Japanese, with the ability to read, write and pitch confidently to Japanese clients, partners and government stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of Japanese business culture, etiquette and negotiation nuances.