Executive Director, Events & Partnerships

Its mission is to foster a deeper understanding of the Middle East through world-class reporting and analysis from and about the region. Reporting to the Head of Business & Growth and working closely with senior leadership and advisors, you own the partner and sponsor pipeline, the events P&L, and the revenue and brand KPIs, turning AL-MONITOR’s convening power into sponsorship revenue, brand reach, and audience growth. Own the events and partnerships function, the partner and sponsor pipeline, the P&L, and the KPIs, and report pipeline, revenue, and results to leadership on a regular cadenceOwn and grow sponsorship and partnership revenue against an annual target: actively prospect and win net-new sponsors, not only converting inbound and warm relationships, and build repeatable, multi-year agreementsContinuously find new and better ways to drive recurring revenue, including multi-year sponsorships, membership, and sponsor-consortium modelsDefine sponsorship packages, pricing, and value propositions, and negotiate and close agreements with legal teamCultivate a senior Middle East and sponsor network, and convert the relationships that leadership and advisors open into revenue and eventsOwn AL-MONITOR’s event portfolio end to end: a flagship annual convening in New York around UNGA week, fireside chats, roundtables, sponsored convenings, media workshops, and a growing webinar programBalance the portfolio between sponsor-funded, revenue-generating events and mission or editorial events that are not sponsor-driven, so the calendar delivers both revenue and brand value and every event brings in the revenue it shouldSet the strategy, structure, and brief for each event, including its goals, budget, and milestones, and give the Events Manager a clear plan to execute againstOwn event production and on-site delivery end to end, delivered primarily through the Events Manager and hands-on when needed: venues and vendors, catering, staging, AV, photography, invitations, the day-of run of show, and speaker readiness. On site you are the senior lead, working the room, managing relationships, keeping the program on track, and making the real-time calls, while remaining accountable for flawless deliveryPartner with Editorial to secure journalists as speakers, shape thought-leadership programming, and build the media and partnership decks that position our talent; identify gaps in speaker or interview readiness and arrange coaching or the right resourcesOwn audience growth from events, partnering with Marketing to capture new audiences and convert attendees into subscribersSupport AL-MONITOR’s education and community initiatives, including potential nonprofit programming, as an extension of partnershipsSet the annual events calendar and portfolio strategy across owned, sponsored, and virtual formatsBuild and lead the events team, including the Events Manager and Events Intern, and set the standard for production and deliveryRepresent AL-MONITOR with senior officials, sponsors, and institutional partnersOwn the events KPIs: total sponsorship revenue, sponsors secured, partnership and group revenue, brand impressions and reach, and press and media mentionsMaintain and update curated sponsor and invitation lists 10+ years in events, partnerships, sponsorship sales, or business development, including team leadershipAn established Middle East network and a track record of securing sponsorships and partnershipsA background in media or media events (publisher, broadcaster, think tank, or convening organization)A proven record generating sponsorship revenue, closing six-figure deals, and owning a P&L against revenue targetsA hunter’s instinct for revenue: you seek out new sponsors, build the pipeline, and create recurring revenue rather than waiting for it to come to youHands-on event-production experience: able to plan and run an event end to end on your own, including venue and vendor sourcing, catering, staging and AV, photography, invitations, speaker preparation, and day-of coordinationStrong executive communication, and the ability to report pipeline and performance clearly to leadershipWorking knowledge of thought leadership and how interviews and speaking work, enough to prepare and position speakers and close gaps in speaker readinessExcellent relationship-building with senior external stakeholders, and willingness to travelAuthorization to work in the United StatesWillingness to travel as needed.Collaborative leadership style and steady temperament under pressure and deadlines.