Conference Manager Jobs in Baltimore, MD (NOW HIRING)

Description:

Bloomsbury's Academic Professional division is seeking a Senior Global Conferences Manager to lead the planning, execution, and optimization of our global conference program across Academic & Professional publishing.

In this role, you will oversee Bloomsbury’s presence at up to 200 conferences annually, supporting both Books and Bloomsbury Digital Resources. You will drive strategy, ensure operational excellence, and enhance brand visibility, while managing budgets and leading a small international team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys continuous improvement, and wants to play a key role in elevating a global conference program.

• One Associate Conferences Manager in the US and one Conferences Executive in the UK.
• Indirect management of one Conferences Assistant in the US.
• Allocates and delegates work as appropriate across the team.

• 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 that 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.

• 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) which works within budget and supports A&P and company goals.
• Monthly reporting to senior management on budget, spend and ROI at top line, subject and conference level.

• Negotiates with conference organizers to reserve exhibit space by required deadlines in order to obtain best possible rates and stand location.
• Maintains contracts for 3rd party exhibitors like Scholar’s Choice, Library of Social Science and Combined Book Exhibit, liaises with subject marketer on what books to send and arranges shipments.
• Books program advertising, liaising with subject marketer on creation & design through submission.
• Schedules and leads planning meetings for larger 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 the 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.

• Coordinates the ordering, delivery and return shipment of Bloomsbury owned equipment and products in a cost-effective manner, dealing directly with external vendors and conference organizers and completing all related administration tasks and paperwork by required deadlines.
• Maintains tracking of all conference-related materials shipped to conferences to meet the 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 being sent to the show, 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.

Contributes to projects related to continuous improvements in conference workflows and operations for global conferences.

• 5–7 years of experience in conference or event management,
• Extensive experience managing conference schedules, and organizing and attending conferences in an academic and/or professional publishing environment
• Experience managing global conferences and understanding regional differences.
• An eye for design and brand (no hands-on design experience or skills required)

• 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

• 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
• Oral and written communication skills

• 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

Candidates must be located within the DC, MD, VA or NYC region and are able to work on a hybrid schedule from either our Greenbelt MD office or NYC office.

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.

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid parental leave
• Hybrid Work Schedule