New Business Researcher

Raccoon Media Group

Job description:

Raccoon Media Group is a young, entrepreneurial event organiser. The focus is on approaching concept development, marketing and the on-site event experience from a unique angle. As such, we’re happy to take risks, give our team the authority to make their own decisions and to provide the necessary support to deliver the desired results.

The Role

We are looking for an ambitious, motivated and experienced new business researcher to take ownership, identify and launch new and inspirational events across the Raccoon Media Group Events Portfolio. You will identify and capitalise on growth opportunities whilst successfully developing commercially viable events that attract passionate communities. As a young business, you will join an experienced, diverse team and be involved in all major scoping and development of new events and initiatives.

You will possess excellent people and project management skills, as well as first class topic generation, excellent proven research ability and great time management skills. Whilst an in-depth knowledge of our industries is not essential, you will need the attention to detail and enthusiasm necessary to extract the full potential from the lucrative and dynamic market. We’re looking especially for tenacity and an entrepreneurial mind-set – we work in dynamic and fast-growing markets which demand a creative, innovative approach to deliver stakeholder value.

The ideal candidate must have proven experience in large-scale, complex, multi-faceted paid-for events, that has recruited the highest-level industry speakers and commercial sponsors. The role covers all aspects of end-to-end event research and validation including extensive market scoping, vertical mapping and both desk and in-person research; writing innovative promotional copy such as website and promotional decks; identifying market leading speakers; commercial copy writing; media partner engagement and identifying and approaching commercial partners.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a dynamic market researcher who wants to make their mark and be a part of a team who are growing an international event brand and breaking into new markets.

Duties & Responsibilities include:

Devise and implement an effective research plan to identify and define key market trends to create commercially viable, and sustainable events. Initial market scoping to identify location and timeframes, primary and secondary market and competitor analysis
Full market mapping by geo and sector to identify and define the market motivators to create exciting events which attracts paying delegates and secures sponsors
In-depth, in person/conference calls, research with a minimum of 50 key personal per event in stage one research. Mixture of buy and sell side, genders, geos and functions to ensure balanced and impartial research
Detailed competitor analysis (timeline and SWOT) in key geos to ensure position of strength with defined USPs to take market share and create unique opportunities
Develop clear USPs and benefits to attending the Show – these should include researching commercial features to entice new audiences and change the pace and scope of the event
Strategise, invite and confirm the most compelling and enticing Ambassadors that truly reflect the communities. Fully manage and brief Ambassadors to ensure they are aligned with the event and maximising exposure across key mediums. Where possible organise and lead a physical meeting of the Ambassadors to help set the tone and agenda of the event
Build relationships with key event advocates including advisory board, sales agents, sponsors and speakers for co-marketing of the event – work with marketing to create bespoke collateral required to ensure the best experiences
Strong creative and design flair with the confidence and ability to work with marketing to create visually engaging and responsive marketing collateral. Define audiences and write and create content to engage, segment and target prospects up to event launch
Work with marketing so the event brand becomes a key influencer in the social media across relevant platforms to expand brand reach and awareness and actively engage with the target audience
Identify, build and develop strong partnerships with key local and global media partners, associations and key influencers
Drive customer focus and a culture of customer centricity across the team, ensuring all promotion is underpinned by an understanding of customer needs, and market dynamics
Create comprehensive P&L for the event for Board review ahead of Go / No Go decision
Oversee and deliver the launch event/party, typically 12months prior to the event happening. Includes agreeing date and venue, speakers and content, audience and full supplier delivery to ensure a successful launch
Write detailed briefs to key team upon launch to ensure the Event delivery team are introduced to key contacts and are fully aware of strategy and KPIs.

Qualifications and experience

Minimum 6 years’ experience in B2B large scale, content-led event production
Demonstrable experience of delivering a content-led new launch event, ideally internationally
Academic degree or equivalent qualification

Skills and competencies

Excellent communication skills: able to develop and maintain strong personal relationships with team members and external stakeholders, including media partners and sponsors
Clear understanding (with examples) of production KPIs
Excellent copy writing and verbal communication skills
Clear understanding of the commercial business practices that underpin conferences and awards, a strong commercial awareness and a clear comprehension of profit and loss/basic business principles
Working directly with salespeople: lead generation and management
Excellent project management skills and ability to prioritise

IT experience

Sales CRM (SalesForce, MS Dynamics, Hubspot or similar)
Strong Microsoft Excel

About You

Confident, outgoing, work well under pressure
Organised and deadline driven, with an eye for detail
Able to travel and occasionally work long hours
A flexible and can-do approach
Willingness to perform the tasks listed above (as opposed to managing team members and delegating this work to them)