This is a senior management position at Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), a global industry association with 130+ leading telecom operators and technology players as its members (wballiance.com). The Event Director will provide leadership for all WBA event activities, including strategic planning, execution and P&L growth of flagship WBA Wireless Global Congress as well as any regional Vision Forum events hosted by WBA. The highly successful and continually growing series of industry congress events is being hosted by WBA since 2012 BY and FOR its ecosystem. Reporting to WBA CEO, the Event Director will have a unique opportunity to shape and drive the future evolution of not just the WBA events but also the industry that the WBA and its members represent. This leadership opportunity comes at a particularly interesting time since WBA and its events are poised for a significant transformation based on its Vision 2020.

The candidate must have a strong experience in managing global industry conferences and a proven track record in delivering P&L growth in events business. This role requires extensive coordination with other teams within the WBA and an ability to manage engagements within partners and members of WBA, across management-levels, cultures and geographies.

The role will be accountable for developing the overall events plan for WBA and delivering the operating KPIs, as set by the WBA CEO/Board based on the strategic direction and vision of WBA.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities:

Strategy, Operating Plans and P&L

• Responsible for developing strategic & operating plans for the WBA event together with the WBA leadership team and periodically reviewing market research and ecosystem requirements.
• Accountable for delivering KPIs for YoY growth, revenue and profitability and improvements in overall quality/level of ecosystem engagement for the WBA events.

Event Structure, Activities & Partnerships

• Responsible for identifying new opportunities (e.g. new sessions, showcase, networking/social activities etc.) and partnerships to improve the positioning and attractiveness of WBA events.
• Accountable for incorporating the above within overall event structure and activities while ensuring proper planning and smooth execution.

Operations, Logistics & Commercials

• Responsible for the project management and supervision of operations, logistics and commercial arrangements for the smooth and successfully delivery of high-quality events.
• Accountable for ensuring that the overall satisfaction KPI for the WBA events is achieved.

Sponsorship & Ticket Sales

• Responsible for developing and executing overall sales strategy, including sponsorship packages & delegate passes, building sales pipeline and negotiating/closing contracts.
• Accountable for achieving sales revenue targets and timely collections while ensuring that the experience and satisfaction of the sponsors and delegates is not compromised.

Registration Management & Support

• Responsible for supervising the registration & support activities and establishing processes, policies, systems/tools to manage relevant pre-event, on-site and post-event activities.
• Accountable for ensuring that the registration management & support KPIs are achieved.

Content Development & Speaker Support

• Responsible for supporting Program Committee in delivering compelling conference program and ensuring support in terms of onsite logistics during the conference sessions.

Marketing & Media Engagement

• Responsible for developing marketing requirements for the WBA events and work with the WBA Marketing team and partners to support execution of marketing & media engagement activities.

Experience & Background Required

• Above 10 years of experience in managing industry conferences with ~ 5 years of in managing P&L responsibility for a global conference business.
• Ability to demonstrate experience in successfully delivering strong YoY growth.
• Successful track record in building and growing a robust network of relationships with wireless industry players and potential sponsors.
• Prior experience in wireless telecom industry would be a distinct advantage.
• Experience in working with industry forums/bodies and telecom operators.

Additional Information

• The role is part of the management & operations team of WBA which is spread across multiple geographies.
• The job offers flexible to work from home and while the location is also flexible, candidates based in North America or Western Europe may be preferred (the two global congress events held every year are currently hosted in these geographies).
• The role requires engagement with the Board of Directors, members and partners of WBA from around the world.
• Need strong written and verbal communication and an ability to interact and engage effectively at all levels (including senior executives) in cross-cultural environment.
• Most of the work is done electronically (conference calls, emails etc.) and need ability to attend meetings held across time zone (to accommodate global membership).
• Periodic international travel required to attend various WBA events and meetings hosted in different locations.
• The person must be resourceful and capable of working independently with a lean team.

To apply for this position or find out additional details, please contact shrikant@wballiance.com

For additional information, please visit wballiance.com and www.wirelessglobalcongress.com