Senior Conference Producer - Defence

Senior Conference Producer - Defence Location: London - Hybrid Salary: £40k - £45k DOE + Bonus Ark Recruitment are delighted to be supporting a leading international conference and events organisation in their search for an experienced Senior Conference Producer to join their growing production team. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven and highly experienced conference professional to take ownership of the development and delivery of large-scale B2B conferences across sectors including Defence, Security, Energy, Utilities, Aviation, and Pharmaceuticals. The role combines strategic market research, content creation, stakeholder engagement, project leadership, and commercial responsibility to deliver industry-leading events. Based on the original role requirements, the successful candidate will be responsible for producing a minimum of five conferences annually, including at least one large-scale event, while collaborating closely with sales, sponsorship, marketing, and senior leadership teams. The Role As a Senior Conference Producer, you will be responsible for researching, developing, and delivering commercially successful conference programmes that address key industry challenges, opportunities, and emerging market trends. You'll engage directly with senior industry leaders, government officials, and subject matter experts to validate content, secure high-profile speakers, and create compelling event agendas that drive attendance, sponsorship, and revenue growth. This is a fast-paced and highly visible role requiring excellent communication, commercial awareness, leadership, and project management skills. You'll take ownership of conference performance throughout the event lifecycle while supporting and mentoring junior members of the production team. Key Responsibilities

• Research, write, and produce a minimum of five B2B conferences per year, including at least one large-scale event
• Develop high-quality conference agendas aligned with industry trends, market demand, and commercial objectives
• Identify, validate, and secure senior-level speakers, chairs, and industry experts for conference participation
• Conduct in-depth market research with industry stakeholders to identify new conference topics, launch opportunities, and event growth strategies
• Manage the full conference production cycle from initial concept and validation through to event delivery
• Take ownership of conference performance, tracking revenue, audience engagement, and commercial success throughout the campaign lifecycle
• Work closely with Sales, Sponsorship, Marketing, and other internal teams to maximise event performance and exceed revenue targets
• Build and maintain strong relationships with speakers, delegates, sponsors, and key industry stakeholders
• Ensure all speaker information, conference content, and event materials remain accurate, relevant, and commercially focused
• Collaborate with Marketing to support database growth and audience development initiatives
• Champion the use of AI and innovative technologies to improve production processes and enhance event performance
• Attend and host conferences where required, both in the UK and internationally
• Mentor and support junior members of the production team, providing guidance and sharing best practice
• Monitor project timelines, production targets, and event profitability to ensure successful delivery
• Identify opportunities to launch new events and expand existing conference portfolios. About You
• We're looking for an experienced and commercially minded conference professional who enjoys researching markets, engaging with senior stakeholders, and creating high-value events that deliver measurable business results. You'll bring:
• A minimum of 24 months' experience in conference production
• A proven track record of developing commercially successful conference programmes
• Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to quickly understand complex industries and market dynamics
• Experience producing large-scale conferences and managing multiple event projects simultaneously
• Excellent communication skills and confidence engaging with senior executives, government representatives, and industry leaders
• Strong project management and organisational abilities
• A commercial mindset with the ability to identify revenue growth opportunities and validate new event concepts
• Experience collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams including sales, sponsorship, and marketing
• The ability to prioritise workload, manage deadlines, and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced environment
• A proactive, solutions-focused, and collaborative approach
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• A valid passport and willingness to travel internationally when required. What's on Offer
• Hybrid working environment
• Career progression opportunities within a global events organisation
• International travel opportunities
• Exposure to high-profile global industries and senior-level stakeholders
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Supportive and collaborative team culture
• The opportunity to lead and shape large-scale international conference programmes
• Access to industry-leading resources and technology
• Long-term career development within a growing organisation Interested?