Job Title: Programme Manager – Conference Programme (Freelance Contract)
Location: Saudi Arabia
Contract Duration: July – September 2026
Employment Type: Freelance / Fixed-Term Contract
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Programme Manager – Conference Programme to lead the planning and execution of the conference programme for a major international event in Saudi Arabia.
This senior-level role will oversee the complete conference content lifecycle—from agenda development and speaker engagement through to presentation management, session delivery, and live stage operations. The ideal candidate has extensive experience managing high-profile conferences, government forums, leadership summits, or international business events, with the ability to deliver a seamless and engaging delegate experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end planning and delivery of the conference programme.
- Develop strategic agendas aligned with event objectives and stakeholder priorities.
- Research, identify, and secure high-profile speakers, moderators, and panellists.
- Manage speaker communications, briefing materials, and presentation timelines.
- Review, edit, and coordinate presentation content to ensure quality, consistency, and compliance with event guidelines.
- Coordinate session formats including keynote presentations, panel discussions, fireside chats, workshops, and roundtables.
- Develop detailed running orders, stage scripts, and show flows.
- Work closely with production, AV, protocol, operations, and event management teams to ensure seamless session delivery.
- Oversee stage management during live sessions, ensuring speakers, moderators, and production teams remain on schedule.
- Manage programme changes, speaker substitutions, and last-minute updates in a fast-paced environment.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with government stakeholders, partners, sponsors, and executive speakers.
- Ensure all programme deliverables are completed within agreed timelines and quality standards.
- Produce post-event reporting and recommendations where required.
Requirements
- 8–12+ years of experience delivering conference programmes for large-scale international events.
- Proven experience managing high-profile conferences, executive summits, government forums, or global business events.
- Strong background in agenda development and conference content strategy.
- Experience managing senior executives, ministers, VIPs, keynote speakers, and moderators.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Experience reviewing presentations and coordinating speaker content.
- Strong understanding of live event operations, stage management, and production coordination.
- Ability to manage multiple workstreams and tight deadlines simultaneously.
- Exceptional organisational, planning, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working on government or major international events within the GCC is highly preferred.
- Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Communications, Marketing, Business, or a related field is preferred.
Preferred Experience
Candidates with experience working on events such as:
- International government conferences
- Economic forums
- Global leadership summits
- Trade and investment conferences
- Major sporting event conferences
- World Expos
- COP, G20, FIFA, Olympic, AFC, or similar international events will be highly regarded.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for candidates with proven experience delivering large-scale international conferences, summits, forums, or government events. The ideal candidate has successfully managed conference programmes involving ministers, VIPs, C-level executives, industry leaders, and international delegations, with a strong track record of overseeing agenda development, speaker management, presentation coordination, and live session delivery in high-profile event environments. Experience working on major government-led or international events within the GCC is highly desirable.
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