Conference Organiser
The role of Conference Organizer is to provide logistical and organisational skills for the EU/NA Conference team to plan, coordinate and execute high‑quality in‑person and online academic conferences and other corporate MDPI marketing events to enhance the positive visibility of the MDPI brand, its academic journals and open‑access mandate.
This is a full‑time, in‑office role based in our Manchester city centre office, next to Piccadilly Gardens.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the planning and execution of multiple academic‑related events annually, including logistics, program development, marketing, on‑site (or online) delivery, post‑event reporting, and financial reconciliation.
- Liaise with all event stakeholders, including Chairs, journal editors and teams, academic societies, speakers, attendees, partners, and external vendors.
- Collaborate with the event team to manage the event platform and its content (e.g., website), including abstract submissions, registrations, and payment processing.
- Support market analysis and event feasibility studies in coordination with the event team.
- Co‑develop, oversee, and execute the marketing and promotional plan, including design assets, in collaboration with the event team.
- Work with the design team to create visual and marketing materials as needed.
- Negotiate contracts with external vendors in line with the budget, under the supervision of the Conference Managers.
- Process abstracts and coordinate with contributors, speakers, and Chairs to build the event programme, with oversight from the Conference Manager.
- Track revenues and expenses as part of budget management and process payments accordingly, under the supervision of the Conference Manager.
- Collaborate with the Conference Sponsorship Specialist to identify, contact, and fulfil sponsorship opportunities, integrating deliverables into event logistics.
- Participate in on‑site event management with the event team.
- Support the event team in managing the event platform (website), focusing on abstract processing, registrations, and payments.
- Assist in building and defining the scientific programme and align logistical planning accordingly.
- Apply organisational knowledge and adhere to corporate standards in all processes and procedures.
Additional Responsibilities
- Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of departmental processes.
- Recommend enhancements to increase efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Take appropriate follow‑up actions to implement improvements.
Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree is required.
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Tourism, Communications, or a related field is preferred.
- Certification or accreditation in event management is required.
- A Master’s degree is considered an asset.
- 2–5 years of event coordination experience.
- Familiarity with academic publishing and scientific communities.
- Skilled in Microsoft Office, project and budget management.
- Experience with online registration systems (e.g., "Sciforum").
- Strong attention to detail, communication, and customer service.
- Strong project coordination and organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing needs.
- Scientific background is a plus.
Benefits
- Flexible working times – start work between 7‑9 am and finish between 3‑6 pm.
- Special days off – paid time off for occasions such as marriage or moving house.
- Our culture – friendly working environment with monthly lunch parties, office snacks and seasonal events.
- Bonus incentives – eligible for bonus schemes that reward high‑performing employees.
- Perkbox – access to a benefits platform providing discounts across various retailers.
- Health Cash Plan – private health membership with Bupa after probation, covering dental, doctors and prescriptions.
- Modern city centre office – located next to Piccadilly Gardens, a 10‑minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly and Oxford Road train stations, with tram stops outside the building.
- Cyclescheme – save between 25‑39 % on a bike and accessories.
- Techscheme – save up to 10 % on tax when purchasing tech equipment from retailers such as IKEA and Currys.
Application closing date: 19th June 2026.
Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion
At MDPI, we believe in fostering an inclusive work environment that respects and values individual differences and prioritises growth through continued learning, support, and feedback. We are always seeking new initiatives to advance diversity and inclusion across all our offices to create a more equal workforce.
