Are you an experienced Conference and Events Manager? If you are looking for a change and are brilliant at what you do, read on!

Who We Are

IFLA (the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) is the global voice of libraries and the library and information profession with more than 1700 members in over 140 countries. From our headquarters in The Hague, we work with members, partners and more than 1100 volunteers across the globe to support professional development and standards and ensure that libraries are a part of key policy discussions and included as critical and vibrant community assets for the societies they serve.

Conference & Events Manager

As the Conference & Events Manager you will play a leadership and strategic role in the development and oversight of conference services, business relations and event partnerships. You will help to shape the strategic direction of IFLA’s conference and events model (in-person, hybrid and virtual models), in the context of our wider outreach and sustainability strategy. In collaboration with team members, you will work on organising conferences and events, bringing insight and expertise from the wider sector and taking an entrepreneurial and creative approach to exploring new event concepts. In addition, you will engage with multiple international stakeholders including a mix of co-located and remote professionals from around the world. In this position, some international travel and representation is required.

Building relationships with event professionals, intergovernmental partners, national governments, (in coordination with IFLA’s members) and other stakeholders, such as civil society organisations, sponsors and funding partners is a key part of the role.

The role

  • Develop, implement and review IFLA’s conference services with a view to achieving sustainable models that contribute to IFLA’s wider objectives;
  • Organise and manage the World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) cycle and its processes with the aim of ensuring a high level of participant satisfaction and raising of IFLA’s profile internationally whilst ensuring the model is financially sustainable;
  • Oversee the planning and day-to-day activities of the congress including budget management;
  • Develop successful relationships with the National Committees and the PCO (Professional Conference Organiser) contracted by IFLA to produce WLIC;
  • Coordinate the PCO tender process and procurement; revise contract of selected PCO to adapt to IFLA’s needs and orientation when relevant;
  • Review existing practices and develop new policy proposals where relevant for the congress, enhancing the reach and impact of IFLA events;
  • Redevelop and manage the business partnership programmes (Corporate Supporter Programme) and its activities;
  • Communicate and provide advice to IFLA staff, members and volunteers, to IFLA’s Governing Board, and other Committees as required;
  • Represent IFLA externally as required;
  • Contribute to IFLA’s strategic objectives and policy development; participate in the organisation’s governance and provide advice as required.

The colleague we want has the following aptitudes and skills

  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, flexibility in dealing with change, duties and responsibilities
  • Organisational skills to manage a range of competing priorities;
  • Listening and the ability to understand and work with stakeholders;
  • Problem solving for issues large and small;
  • Project management skills with a focus on timely delivery;
  • Planning for processes and contingencies that will work for the organisation;
  • Attention to detail to improve the planning and preparation of events;
  • Interpersonal skills to build relationships with staff, stakeholders and members;
  • Entrepreneurial skills and initiative.

The following are required

  • Extensive experience in conference and events management involving international participants;
  • Experience of working with and achieving goals in cooperation with a diverse range of colleagues and partners, in particular from an international background;
  • Extensive experience in negotiating with stakeholders that leads to positive outcomes for the organisation;
  • Strategic thinking skills, including the ability to look across a range of topics and sources, and develop plans;
  • Experience in overseeing budgets and finances for events;
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to adapt according to the situation;
  • Strong organisational skills, notably the ability to manage own time and prioritise where needed in order to get the job done within the time available;
  • Creativity, intellectual curiosity and entrepreneurship to identify and evaluate opportunities in terms of what they can bring to IFLA and its Members;
  • Basic research skills, for example in order to prepare short reports and briefings;
  • Experience and understanding of conference and collaboration tools and platforms for virtual, hybrid and in-person events;
  • Demonstrate and behave in line with IFLA’s values – Collaboration, Accountability, Innovation and Respect;
  • Applicants must be able to work immediately in the Netherlands.

The following are desirable:

  • Written and verbal communication skills in another of IFLA’s official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish);
  • Project management certification;
  • Experience of responding to calls for proposals;
  • Demonstrable interest in the library and information field.

We offer

  • Gross salary in accordance with your experience and skills between € 4.451 and € 5.763 a month and other benefits including commuting costs
  • Opportunity to meet and work with partners and colleagues across the globe
  • Opportunities for international travel
  • A multilingual, international, and committed team working from an office in a central location in The Hague
  • Hybrid working – we currently require HQ staff to be present in the office at least 2 days per week
  • Opportunities for learning and professional development

How to apply

Interested candidates are requested to provide a CV and cover letter in English, setting out how you would demonstrate your experience and why you are the perfect candidate for us.

In the job application process, we may want to check any references but only after your consent.

The application should be submitted to IFLA: Birgit.Gleiss@ifla.org by 11 June 2024.

For any questions relating to this job, please contact Helen Mandl:  Helen.Mandl@ifla.org.

IFLA is the global voice of libraries, representing the interests of the profession and working to improve services worldwide. We benefit from a strong membership, a vibrant professional community, and close collaboration with partners.

IFLA does not discriminate against any person based on gender, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability or any other individual characteristic. We aim, in our recruitment, to encourage a diverse and talented pool of candidates, where our HQ staff, as far as possible, is as diverse as those whom we support and represent.