Description
Bloomsbury's Academic Professional division is seeking a Senior Global Conferences Manager. The role oversees strategy, training, and execution for Bloomsbury's global conference program across Academic & Professional (A&P).
The role manages all aspects of Bloomsbury's conference presence for A&P marketing and editorial teams in the US and UK, covering Books and Bloomsbury Digital Resources (BDR). It ensures the smooth running of conferences globally, supports A&P's strategic objectives—including commissioning goals, branding, and sustainability—and provides an exciting opportunity for someone highly organized, committed to continuous improvement, and eager to optimize Bloomsbury's brand presence.
The role oversees a small team supporting up to 200 conferences a year worldwide.
Management
- One Associate Conferences Manager and one Conferences Assistant in the US; one Conferences Executive in the UK
- Allocates and delegates work as appropriate across the team
Communications
- Communicates strategy and schedule to all A&P
- Oversight and management of ExhibitDay (conferences database) including assignment of due dates and tasks to stakeholders
- Oversees training program for marketers, attendees, and other stakeholders to ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities
- Provides clear written guidelines to ensure the above
- Works with A&P colleagues to keep to deadlines and achieve 100% submission of conference reports
Budget Responsibilities
- Manages the annual global conferences budget, working with editorial and marketing staff to ensure a smooth budgeting process for all conference expenses (including T&E) that supports A&P and company goals
- Monthly reporting to senior management on budget, spend, and ROI at top line, subject, and conference level
Conference Planning (assigned across team as appropriate)
- Negotiates with conference organizers to reserve exhibit space by required deadlines and secure best possible rates and stand location
- Maintains contracts for third‑party exhibitors such as Scholar's Choice, Library of Social Science, and Combined Book Exhibit, liaises with subject marketer on books to send and arranges shipments
- Books program advertising, liaising with subject marketer on creation & design through submission
- Schedules and leads planning meetings for key conferences so our presence meets specific goals and objectives
- Maximizes prominence of Bloomsbury brands in accordance with branding guidelines and ensures consistent branding across all conferences
- Works closely with marketing, stand builders and design team to maximize stand design and layout
- Oversees booking of relevant furniture, AV/tech equipment as required, based on the stand type and volume of product
- Orders conference supplies: signage, table drapes, bookstands, toolkits, etc.
- Provides support on marketing activities such as receptions, sponsorships, and book signings as agreed with internal stakeholders
- Ensures editors/meeting attendees are fully briefed on conference details and logistics before attending a conference
Conference Execution and Administration (assigned across team as appropriate)
- Coordinates ordering, delivery, and return shipment of equipment and products cost‑effectively, handling vendors and conference organizers and completing all related paperwork by deadlines
- Maintains tracking of all materials shipped to conferences to meet required deadlines
- Accurately maintains information on ExhibitDay to facilitate planning and management of the global conference schedule
- Ensures global stakeholders are kept informed on all aspects of the conference execution process, including full list of products to be sent, out-of-stock titles, and price‑list production
- Provides insight and market intelligence to stay ahead of conference trends
- Willingness to travel to occasional conferences within the US
Special Projects
Contributes to projects related to continuous improvements in conference workflows and operations for global conferences.
Requirements
Academic Conferences Experience
- 5–7 years of experience in events and conference management
- Extensive experience managing conference schedules and organizing and attending conferences in an academic and/or professional publishing environment
- Experience with global conferences and a solid understanding of territorial differences
- An eye for design and brand (no hands‑on design experience or skills required)
Strategic Planning & Improvement
- Strategic thinking with operational follow‑through
- Experience budgeting, tracking, and maximizing ROI
- Demonstrable mindset of continuous improvement and solutions‑based thinking in line with business priorities
- Excellent attention to detail
Management & People Skills
- Leading a small team, assigning roles and delegating effectively
- Liaising with and communicating with a variety of internal stakeholders
- Training experience
- Excellent project and time‑management skills
- Works effectively across geographic and organizational boundaries
- Strong oral and written communication skills
Systems Knowledge
- Demonstrates ability to use systems and tools (e.g. AI, databases, Work Management System) to enable smarter, more insight‑led conference organization and presence
- Excel to at least intermediate level
Location
Candidates must be located within the DC, MD, VA region and be able to work on a hybrid schedule from our Greenbelt, MD office.
Equal Opportunity Employment
Bloomsbury Publishing USA is committed to a merit‑based, equal‑opportunity workplace. We hire, retain, and promote employees based on individual qualifications, skills, and performance, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Our company fosters an inclusive environment where all employees are treated fairly and have the opportunity to succeed based on their abilities and contributions. We remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and fairness in all aspects of employment.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid parental leave
- Hybrid work schedule