View Vacancy – EECAN Deputy Head of Marketing and Communications (TUR20.488)

Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.

The British Consulate General in Istanbul is part of a world-wide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit an EECAN Deputy Head of Marketing and Communications to join the Department for International Trade (DIT) team.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is an international economic department securing UK and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment and championing free trade. We are responsible for: bringing together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment, and help businesses succeed; delivering a new trade policy framework for the UK as we leave the EU; promoting British trade and investment across the world; and building the global appetite for British goods and services. 

This role, based in Istanbul will lead on the production of major live events and deliver a large annual programme of digital, virtual and face to face activity for the Department for International Trade across the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Network (EECAN). The postholder will work at a strategic level to develop a programme of events and deliver each one from concept to completion across a variety of platforms including exhibitions, conferences, government/business meetings such as the annual UK Tech Week, Turkey, with three UK trade missions and over 1000 delegates. You will take the lead and confidently deliver large exhibitions and conferences with 50+ speakers, 1000+ delegates, 50+ 1-2-1 meetings, 50+ exhibitors – and be experienced in delivering live events on both virtual and face to face platforms. You will lead on sector campaign live event activity across our EECAN network which consists of 14 markets, including Russia, the countries of the former Soviet Union (excluding the Baltics), Turkey, and Mongolia; you will also work closely with the HQ teams in London to deliver central activity across EECAN. You will therefore be fluent in both English and Turkish and other languages will be desirable, such as Russian.

You will be supported by two other EECAN Marketing and Communications professionals and will be working to deliver through a network of colleagues across 14 markets. You will have excellent communication skills and be confident reporting to senior stakeholders, great stakeholder management skills are key. You’ll have an established record of delivering digital and face to face events for an international organisation and leading projects, budgets, communications, and production and creative teams.

Main responsibilities will include:

• Apply project management principles and techniques to oversee the successful development and delivery of the EECAN Business Events Programme so milestones are met, risks managed and mitigated and issues dealt with, whilst ensuring excellence, professionalism and commercial outcomes are maintained;
• Work with UK and EECAN event contractors and suppliers to manage all aspects of event delivery, as well as key internal and external stakeholders and partners to secure innovative and dynamic content and the right audience to drive up excellence and results for the business events;
• Support with the writing of ministerial submissions inviting Turkish or UK Ministers to attend events, as well as corresponding with Private Office and the Visits team on ministerial event attendance and briefing information required;
• Ensure the branding and marketing of events so they are on message, on brand and aligned to the Department’s marketing campaigns and communication objectives;
• Work with DIT HQ and EECAN colleagues in communications to ensure press/media including social media (external) and internal arrangements are in place for each event; Host face-to-face meetings and TEAMS calls with stakeholders on various event project work-streams to keep progress to deadline, and writing event updates and providing presentation material for senior management, for regular updates;
• Work closely alongside the Department’s EECAN and UK HQ Finance team to ensure effective management of event budgets with full compliance to DIT processes and procedures, including securing income generation from the business events programme; Capture accurate performance information for robust evaluation of the events; Maintain an accurate excel spreadsheet of the EECAN business programme of events and activities, that reflects the state of play i.e. latest budget expenditure and final delivery costs;
• Have existing external networks and will have the ability to develop constructive relationships with e.g. Turkish media, event organisers and multipliers; the British Chamber of Commerce (BCCT); the UK regions, and UK and Turkish business/trade associations;
• Have excellent contacts already in marketing and communications in Istanbul: have managed big-budget productions, and quickly build an understanding of what EECAN’s businesses want from the UK offer. You will have the ability to operate at a senior level, developing contacts in industry, niche media and influencers;
• Line manage two marketing officers, who will support you as you deliver the EECAN activities programme;
• Report to EECAN’s Head of Marketing who is based in Istanbul and work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Trade Commissioner for EECAN.

In summary, a challenging role but real rewards await the successful candidate. An unmissable opportunity!

The successful candidate will be an experienced marketer or communicator (minimum 5 years) with a proven track record of successfully delivering multi-channel, international events and programmes, to drive organizational objectives. The post holder will need to have:

• Fluency in Turkish and English (both oral and written, minimum C1 level*);
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, government relations, or a similar field;
• Excellent events planning and delivery; well organised and able to co-ordinate working on a variety of international events simultaneously, reacting quickly and calmly to changing circumstances and demanding stakeholders, during busy periods. Examples required of planning and delivering of international events – face to face or virtually or a hybrid of both – with over 200 delegates;
• Strong team player skills and be collegiate. The ability to quickly form and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues internally, virtually and across Whitehall is paramount to secure the necessary advice, buy-in and quick decision-making. Strong collaboration and partnering skills are essential;
• Budget management, evidence of allocation and project management of budgets through a business planning and annual reporting cycle;
• Proven ability to think creatively, in terms of event content and ways to deliver events to achieve objectives within budget;
• Excellent communication skills and experience of managing internal and external stakeholders;
• Examples of working to tight deadlines and managing uncertainty and competing priorities to achieve objectives;
• A passion for marketing and be a strong team player with a positive attitude who is willing to get stuck into a wide range of projects;
• Team management experience.

Evidence of the following skills:

• International Marketing skills – experience of working in an international marketing department of a global organization and delivering to organizational strategies;
• Event Management – experience of planning and delivering successful international events and major projects;
• Financial Skills – experience of event budget management;
• Performance & Project Management Skills – evidence of providing sound management advice and team leadership;
• Ability to deliver through others – strong relationship building skills, and a track record of effective team working.