VP Conferences Production

VP Conferences Production

Location: London, UK

About Argus

Argus is an independent media organisation with 1,400 staff. It is headquartered in London and has 30 offices in the world’s principal commodity trading and production centres. Argus produces price assessments and analysis of international energy and other commodity markets and offers bespoke consulting services and industry-leading conferences. Companies in 140 countries around the world use Argus data to index physical trade and as benchmarks in financial derivative markets as well as for analysis and planning purposes.

Argus was founded in 1970 and is a privately held UK-registered company. It is owned by employee shareholders, global growth equity firm General Atlantic.  Argus Media is committed to ensuring career and personal growth for all its staff and provides extensive training and career development opportunities, as well as participation in employee-led initiatives, including a women’s network.  Our core values are Excellence, Integrity, Partnership and Inclusivity.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for a passionate and resourceful head of content. You will be primarily responsible for defining the commercial proposition of each conference within the Argus global portfolio of events. This applies as much to the established portfolio of events as it does to the new conferences you will develop.

You are a commercially focused conference professional, a lateral thinker as well as a logical one, driven by an interest in the economics of markets, innovation, and the energy transition. You are able to engage with contacts, develop relationships, and work collaboratively.

You have prior experience of commodities markets. Intelligence, curiosity, commercial instinct, and a real desire to grow a profitable conference business are all essential. You should be client focused with a hunger to exceed our client expectations

What will you be doing?
 

The job is a challenging mix of developing growth plans for an established portfolio of annual conferences alongside defining the rationale and commercial proposition for new conferences.

You will be required to manage a team of conference producers to the highest standards, regardless of location. You will ensure that team productivity and the systems you establish optimise quality of the product with the commercial requirements for high productivity from each conference producer.

Partnering with SVP Global Conferences you will propose headcount decisions to match the portfolio of events that exceed Argus revenue and net margin annual growth expectations.

You will work across the full global portfolio in all Argus sectors. This will require leadership and matrix management across the global conference sector. Working collaboratively with the conference leadership team is essential. Similarly, you must partner across Argus including editorial, sales & marketing, business development, consulting, and data science.

You are confident in representing the sector at the highest levels within Argus and externally.

There are many opportunities to travel, to meet contacts, and to attend our portfolio of conferences. There are also opportunities to work in other Argus offices around the world.

Developing commercial conference programmes in the commodity markets is a challenging career. It is a very public representation of the Argus brand; insight and debate must be of the moment and forward looking, not something our clients can just Google; Argus customers expect the highest standards of analysis, accuracy and ethics alongside the business class delivery of the event; deadlines are unbreakable; and a mix of self-reliance and teamwork are essential. But working for Argus offers an outstanding grounding in many vital skillsets and areas of human knowledge, working on the frontiers of the energy transition and the future economics of the world.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a team of conference producers that will deliver editorially unbiased commercial conference programmes that meet client needs for strategic information, market insight, networking and deal making
• Build a portfolio of repeatable/annual conferences that are commercially viable with growth potential
• Position Argus’ brand in the centre of the sector/community.
• Create a platform for Argus thought leaders to demonstrate their market insights and sector excellence
• Grow the Argus client base in existing markets and support initiatives to open new markets or new client groups
• Be nimble and enter new markets quickly by identifying new conference opportunities in established sectors and nascent markets
• Develop insightful relationships with contacts
• Attend meetings, conferences, and industry events to build contacts, refine our product, and represent Argus Media externally
• Make headcount recommendations that are required to deliver the portfolio of conferences on a commercial basis
• Make decisions based on data driven insight alongside qualitative client research
• Support the SVP Global Conferences

Skills and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree from a well-recognised university
• Ability to develop, position and write commercial conference programmes
• Proven track record in building, developing, stretching, and motivating a team including in multiple remote locations
• Ability to analyse data and write engaging content
• Excellent communication skills with aptitude to network and build contacts
• Understand commercial relationships involved in global trade and the sectors that service this
• Financially literate: understands a P&L
• Strong co-ordination and project management skills with the ability to work well within a team
• Prior experience of working in the commercial conference sector, preferably focusing on global commodities

Attributes

• Self-motivated, able to use initiative and equipped with an inquisitive nature
• Critical thinking with excellent communication skills

What’s in it for you

Our rapidly growing, award-winning business offers a dynamic environment for talented, entrepreneurial professionals to achieve results and grow their careers. Argus recognizes and rewards successful performance and as an Investor in People, we promote professional development and retain a high-performing team committed to building our success.

• Competitive salary and company bonus scheme 
• Group pension scheme 
• Group healthcare and life assurance scheme 
• Flexible working environment 
• 25 days holiday with annual increase up to 30 days  
• Subsidised gym membership 
• Season ticket travel loans 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Extensive internal and external training

For more details about the company and to apply please make sure you upload your CV via our website: www.argusmedia.com/en/careers/open-positions 

By submitting your job application, you automatically acknowledge and consent to the collection, use and/or disclosure of your personal data to the Company. Argus is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status.