Purpose of Job
The Principal, Annual Meeting Programme, Sponsorship and Partnerships is responsible for strategically shaping the programme of the Annual Meeting and Business Forum, providing expert advice in developing event streams and programme structure aligned with the Bank’s strategic priorities and the Annual Meetings’ specific themes. In addition, the role is responsible for managing the overall Annual Meeting marketing efforts; the complete Sponsorship Programme; the AM website and mobile app. The role also contributes with ideas to innovate and improve participants’ experience during Annual Meetings.

The Principal’s role is also responsible for managing Regional Fora related activities, the sponsorship programme when available, and the branding and marketing efforts in collaboration with Communications Department.

The role requires close working collaboration with Communications, the President’s Office, Corporate Strategy, Business Development, Procurement, Banking teams, Host Government Authorities, sponsors (including EBRD clients), media partners, various Banking teams and Resident Offices.

Background
The Principal’s role is based in the Office of the Secretary General (OSG). OSG acts as secretariat to the EBRD Board of Governors and Board of Directors and their committees and as the official channel of communication between the EBRD and its shareholders. It is responsible for the organisation of the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors, all meetings of the Board of Directors, Regional Fora, other large events organised under the auspices of the EBRD and all protocol matters involving VIPs from shareholder governments.
Within OSG, this role is responsible for the concept development and advisory on the strategic direction of the AM programme, steering teams responsible for developing narratives of the various panels and sessions delivered in the Business Forum programme. The role oversees all AM marketing activities across various channels, the content and structural development of the AM website and mobile app, and designs and manages the full cycle of the sponsorship programme, essential to the cost recovery mandate of up to ,£800,000 per annum. The role is responsible for preparing all Annual Meeting papers and reports presented to ExCom, the Board and its Committees.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities
Annual Meeting and Business Forum programme design and development

• Provides strategic input and guidance on the Annual Meeting and Business Forum theme, event streams and concept development.
• Advises event leads across the Bank on shaping Business Forum sessions in line with the event’s defined thematic direction and key messages.
• Ensures the overall programme is cohesive and builds a narrative in line with the Bank’s strategic priorities
• Contributes ideas and initiative to improve overall participants’ experience at Annual Meetings.
• Drives key internal and external stakeholder relationships and steers engagement for content development.
• Collaborates closely with the Principal, Annual Meetings Event Management in order to maximise synergies between events design and delivery.
• Participates in preparatory missions and acts as the key EBRD point of contact with respective counterparts from the Host Authorities to align on thematic developments and harmonise activities for overall marketing and sponsorship programmes.
• Prepares detailed reports on Annual Meeting planning and consolidates input across workstreams in consolidating regular reports.
• Reports on marketing and sponsorship target and ROI.
• Provides expert advice in relation to the tender process and the contracts for the outsourced registration provider and for the outsourced designers.

Sponsorship

• Accountable for meeting financial targets based on guidelines submitted to ExCom and Board members with the aim of reaching the budgeted sponsorship target.
• Research, design and trial sponsorship strategies and devise their implementation in response to geopolitical developments.
• Define a group of pre-approved sponsor targets in cooperation with Board Directors, the First Vice President, EBRD Managing Directors, Banking, OCCO, Business Development.
• Negotiate sponsors’ deliverables including and the contractual agreement of work for each Annual Meeting and accountable for their implementation.
• Lead the Analyst responsible for implementing and monitoring the AM sponsorship programme (and the Regional Business Forum events when applicable).
• Acts as a consultant to advise on developing the Host sponsorship programme ensuring seamless cooperation and pre-empting risk of conflict of interest between EBRD and Host sponsors.

Marketing

• Devise AM marketing campaign activities and external media partners’ agreements with the aim of reducing direct costs, in order to achieve participation and cost recovery targets.
• In cooperation with Communications, structure an impactful social media campaign targeting in person and remote audiences and expanding the Bank’s outreach in AM promotion.
• Lead on producing narrative for outreach and marketing deliverables.
• Develops and utilizes relationships with the selected professional design agency for the branding and look and feel of the AM website, mobile app and any related marketing and outreach materials.
• Manages the Analyst, Marketing & Sponsorship, setting objectives, providing coaching and guidance as necessary.
• Responsible for driving marketing efforts to reach up to 500 business paying guests (£400,000).

Sustainability

• Designs a strategy to increase the sustainable efforts and raise awareness through various marketing channels
• Collaborates with CTO Transformation office and Climate Strategy and Delivery (CSD) by providing reports related to the AM emissions data for its offsetting
• Coordinates the sourcing of environmentally friendly merchandise
• Develops and implement sustainable initiatives, utilising the relationships with the selected Professional Conference Organisers (outsourced provider for the AM and/or the Regional Business Forum Events) to to reduce carbon footprint and collect related emissions data
• Monitors event accessibility and inclusivity efforts and its communication strategy in coordination with Health and Safety.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent
• Extensive professional experience, working on event production, programme management, content development, marketing and strategic communication, preferably in an international organisation
• Strong management skills and practical management experience with a solid understanding of project management tools and timelines
• Extensive experience in marketing campaigns, in sponsorship revenue or fund raising in an international events context
• Experienced in inter-departmental and international collaboration, interacting with other departments, government authorities and external companies at management/Minister level.
• Ability to operate sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relationships with clients, counterparts and colleagues.
• Third Party Supplier Management: leading tender processes, contract reviews, commercial arrangements, service reviews, etc.
• Attention to detail, with ability to produce clear, concise reports and build informative and engaging narratives
• Well-developed analytical capabilities
• Excellent communication and diplomacy skills in navigating interests and expectations of multiple stakeholders
• Strong presentation skills in written and spoken English. Knowledge of other official languages of the EBRD would be an advantage.
• Experienced manager
• Willingness to travel and to spend short periods of time away from home on occasion

What is it like to work at the EBRD? / About EBRD

Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people's lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in.

At EBRD, our Values – Inclusiveness, Innovation, Trust, and Responsibility – are at the heart of how we work. We bring these to life through our Workplace Behaviours: listening well and speaking up, collaborating smartly, acting decisively with full commitment, and simplifying to amplify our impact. These principles shape our culture and define our success. We seek individuals who not only share these values but are also committed to embedding them in their daily work, fostering a positive and high-performing environment.

The EBRD environment provides you with:

• Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in.
• A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity. Our workforce reflects a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and innovation and enhancing our ability to serve our clients, shareholders, and counterparties effectively.
• A hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals; that is based on trust, flexibility and connectedness.
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do.
• A workplace that prioritises employee wellbeing and provides a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits.

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does. As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background or disability.

Please note, that due to the high volume of applications received, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide detailed feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted (for further consideration).