Introduction: Head of Region (MEA), Custom Events, The Economist Impact Events The Economist Group is the leading source of analysis on international business and world affairs. We deliver our information through a range of formats, from newspapers and magazines to conferences and electronic services. What ties us together is the objectivity of our opinion, the originality of our insight, and our advocacy of economic and political freedom around the world. The Economist Impact Events is the leading provider of international forums for senior executives seeking new insights into strategic issues. These meetings include industry conferences, management events, and government roundtables held around the world. Each meeting organized by the events teams delivers objective and informed analysis. Meetings provide unusually high-level forums where senior executives can gain insights, exchange views and compare strategies. We are recruiting a Head of Region (MEA) for a custom events position to grow bespoke sponsorship revenue from a portfolio of custom events across our Middle East and Africa regions. The role will be responsible for managing and growing the custom business in the region by mirroring and implementing the global strategy and overseeing the commercial execution. The position reports to the VP, Head of Commercial, Global Events, with a dotted line to the MENA commercial director. While there will be some direct line management, the Group runs a matrix structure, and the role also requires the sensitivity to motivate and direct staff in other teams whilst respecting business unit-specific reporting lines and structures. Accountabilities: In this role, you will be expected to:

• Implement the regional plan for the business in conjunction with the global strategy led by the Head of Commercial for custom events and in collaboration with the MENA commercial director.
• Work with the partnership sales team in a matrix structure to maximize the cross-sell opportunities. Alongside, you\xe2\x80\x99d be expected to liaise with marketing, programming, and the Global Events team.
• Manage a direct sales manager for custom events
• Own a personal sales target and regional (MENA) revenue target region for long-term strategic partnerships for bespoke events.
• Work with the MEA partnership teams for integrated pitches and expand into the key accounts and GCP accounts in the region.
• Work closely with third-party agents representing The Economist Group in the region to expand commercial opportunities in GCC & African countries.
• Ensure alignment with programming teams for the pro-active custom events topics specific to regions, and implement a go-to-market strategy to create compelling propositions.
• Seek feedback and interact closely with sponsors throughout the life of the event cycle(s) to ensure the project/event is running on the track and meeting their expectations
• Monitor and report on the business\'s revenue in the region while maintaining personal responsibility in executing the sales process and maximizing revenue.
• Ability to confidently and persuasively convey the merits of The Economist Group\'s capabilities to clients and prospects in all written and verbal communications while maintaining the high quality and professional image of The Economist
• Have a deep understanding of the high-end consumer demographic and the most senior-level business decision-makers and their media and purchasing habits for the confirmed category
• Grow a new client base for the verticals assigned

• Act as the Global Sales Lead on identified event key accounts if and when required

Experience, skills and professional attributes: The ideal skills for this role are:

• Experience of managing client-focused teams in a consultative project or events (program, sales, or marketing) environment
• A demonstrated track record of driving successful projects that include substantial client interactions
• Excellent people and project management skills
• Experience running and managing business development/sales teams
• Experience presenting to and negotiating with senior decision-makers of large multi-national corporations
• Strong intellectual curiosity and a keen interest in the editorial subject matter of Economist events
• Ability to generate ideas and transform good ideas into practice
• Solid experience with Powerpoint, Excel, and Word
• A good team player with the ability to think strategically and tactically
• Fluency in English and any additional language, such as Arabic, is a plus
• Flexibility to travel