Conference Producer - Higher Education (Summits/Sustainability Team)

Conference Producer - Higher Education (Summits/Sustainability Team)
HYBRID / LOCATION (2 days/week in the office)

We are seeking a commercially driven and intellectually curious Conference Producer with experience, ideally in B2B events, policy, or the education space. The successful candidate will lead the content development and production of THE's flagship sustainability event: The Global Sustainable Development Congress, ensuring this event delivers cutting edge insight, attracts high profile speakers, and achieves commercial success for the division.

The Global Sustainable Development Congress convenes higher education leaders, inspirational change-makers and business chiefs to share their insights on sustainable development and further global cross-sector collaboration to deliver the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Times Higher Education is the data provider underpinning university excellence in every continent across the world. As the company behind the world's most influential university ranking, and with almost five decades of experience as a source of analysis and insight on higher education, we have unparalleled expertise on the trends underpinning university performance globally. Our data and benchmarking tools are used by many of the world's most prestigious universities to help them achieve their strategic goals and our events series act as the home of higher education thought leadership around the world.

Key Responsibilities:

Content & Features Development and Curation

• Identify and research major trends and challenges across Higher Education sector (e.g. research impact, sustainable development, regional innovation and international collaboration).
• Write clear, engaging event copy and topic descriptions for websites, social, event partners and marketing collateral.
• Source and secure senior senior-level speakers and contributors
  (including senior university leaders, government figures, C-suite business leaders and influencers)
• Design and project manage new event features or formats that enhance the event and exhibition experience (e.g. policy roundtables, leadership clinics, innovation showcases).

Event Content Planning and Execution

• Own the end-to end content planning cycle for each event, from initial research and agenda writing to speaker briefing and post-event evaluation.
• Manage deadlines and collaborate with internal teams to ensure the agenda aligns with business goals and audience needs.
• Contribute to the long-term development of the education and sustainability portfolio by shaping new content verticals or thematic areas.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders,
  including sponsors, exhibitors, academic institutions, and partners.
• Work closely with the corporate and academic sales teams to produce agencies which not only enhance the delegate experience but work on the commercial needs for sponsors.
• Represent and take ownership of the event for the content team in cross functional meetings with Sales, Marketing, Customer Success, and Operations
• Ensure excellent communication and collaboration throughout the event cycle with all teams.

Market Research and Analysis

• Conduct phone and desk-based research with key market participants to inform content decisions and identify audience and sponsorship needs.
• Analyse audience data, delegate feedback, and industry intelligence to inform continuous content improvement.
• Monitor sector trends to keep content timely and relevant (e.g. policy announcements, rankings, funding updates).

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain high standards across all content deliverables and ensure best practices in speaker engagement, agenda structure, and event tone.
• Lead post event evaluations to assess content impact, gather feedback, and recommend improvements.
• Contribute ideas for new event formats and experiences that evolve how we deliver thought leadership to the Higher Education sector.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Experience in conference production, education events, or content development in a policy or public sector context.
• Strong understanding of the Higher Education sector, including the roles of institutions, regulators, and EdTech innovators.
• Experience working in a commercial conference production role
• Ability to work in a high-pressured environment with strict deadlines
• Confident communicator with excellent written and verbal skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Strong research capabilities and a proactive approach to identifying trends and opportunities.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally and engaging with senior stakeholders.
• 2.1 Degree in Education, Public Policy, Communications, or a related field (Master's a plus).

You do You
You do You. With colleagues located around the world, we know that our individuality and diversity of experiences are our greatest strengths. That's why we want THE to be a place where you are welcome to be who you want to be at work; where you can share whatever part of your life or self-identity you want, without obligation or facing discrimination; and where all abilities and perspectives are recognised and accommodated.