Conference Programming Manager

Motivate Media Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading multi-platform content producer in Dubai is seeking a Content & Program Lead for the Athar Festival. This role focuses on developing and managing the festival's content strategy, curating speakers, and ensuring seamless content delivery before, during, and after the event. The ideal candidate has 3-6 years of experience and excels in storytelling and project management. It offers a dynamic and collaborative environment, appealing to strategic thinkers passionate about cultural events.

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of experience in event programming or live event management.
• Ability to work with senior leaders and high-profile speakers.
• Strong background in storytelling and editorial strategy.

Responsibilities

• Develop the festival’s content strategy aligned with the brand.
• Manage speaker content, collaborate with partners, and produce event materials.
• Evaluate session performance to inform future programming.

Skills

Event programming

Content production

Storytelling

Project management

Strong communication

Tools

PowerPoint

Google Slides

Keynote

Job description

Overview

Athar Festival is looking for a dynamic and detail‑driven Content & Program Lead to shape the intellectual and creative backbone of Athar Festival. This role leads the creation, coordination, and delivery of all festival content from keynote sessions and panels to speaker engagements and audience experiences. It blends editorial excellence, program development, project management, and creative storytelling to bring the festival to life on stage and across digital channels.

As the lead of the full program lifecycle, you will drive concept development, curate speakers, craft compelling narratives, and ensure seamless content delivery before, during, and after the festival. You will work closely with senior leaders, external speakers, and cross‑functional teams to build a cohesive, high‑impact program that reflects Athar’s mission and elevates the audience experience. The ideal candidate is a strategic storyteller, a meticulous producer, and a confident collaborator who thrives in fast‑paced, high‑visibility environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop the festival’s content strategy by shaping narratives, themes, and messaging aligned with Athar’s brand, mission, and business objectives.
• Build and structure the full event program, including keynotes, panels, workshops, masterclasses and fringe sessions, ensuring a balanced, engaging, and insight‑driven agenda.
• Manage all speaker content, collaborating with internal leaders, external speakers, moderators, and partners to develop scripts, talking points, presentations, and panel flows.
• Produce high‑quality event materials, including run‑of‑show documents, stage scripts, moderator guides, briefing packs, and backstage cue sheets.
• Work closely with the marketing team to showcase speakers, sessions, and festival themes to attendees through campaigns, digital content, and promotional storytelling.
• Drive speaker and session promotion, partnering with marketing to highlight program elements and encourage applications for session submissions.
• Conduct research and host content development calls with thought leaders, partners, and potential speakers to shape the festival’s annual content strategy.
• Build and maintain relationships with speakers, industry experts, cultural voices, and community partners to strengthen the festival’s content pipeline.
• Collaborate with sponsors to develop sponsored sessions, fringe content, and branded programming that aligns with festival standards and audience expectations.
• Manage onsite program execution, working closely with stage managers, stagehands, and the AV/technical team to deliver scripts, schedules, presentations, and cues for seamless stage operations.
• Liaise and brief AV and production teams to ensure all technical requirements, transitions, and content assets are prepared and executed flawlessly.
• Support backstage operations, managing timing, speaker flow, and real‑time adjustments during live sessions.
• Ensure brand voice, tone, and editorial consistency across all event content, from stage materials to digital assets.
• Manage post‑event content needs, including recaps, highlight summaries, content repurposing for digital channels, and the creation of detailed post‑event reports and program reviews.
• Evaluate session performance and audience engagement to inform future programming and continuous improvement of the festival experience.

Requirements & Qualifications

• 3–6 years of experience in event programming, content production, editorial work, communications, or live event management.
• Proven experience developing event agendas, curating speakers, and producing content for conferences, festivals, or large‑scale cultural events.
• Demonstrated ability to work directly with senior leaders, high‑profile speakers, and external partners, including managing briefings, rehearsals, and content development.
• Strong background in storytelling, editorial strategy, and narrative development, with the ability to translate research and insights into compelling session concepts.
• Hands‑on experience with live event production, including run‑of‑show workflows, backstage operations, AV coordination, and stage management.
• Proficiency in presentation tools such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote, with the ability to guide speakers on visual storytelling.
• Strong project management skills, with experience managing timelines, approvals, and multiple content streams simultaneously.
• Excellent research abilities, including conducting interviews, discovery calls, and content development sessions with subject‑matter experts.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a sharp editorial eye and attention to detail.
• Experience working cross‑functionally with marketing, design, production, and communications teams to deliver cohesive event experiences.

KPIs

• On‑time delivery of the full festival program with strong internal and audience satisfaction scores.
• Timely confirmation and preparation of all speakers, supported by positive feedback and smooth session delivery.
• Effective collaboration with marketing resulting in strong engagement with speaker announcements, session promotions, and call‑for‑submissions.
• Seamless delivery of live sessions measured by production feedback, accurate run‑of‑show execution, and minimal last‑minute changes.
• Completion of high‑quality post‑event reports and content assets that directly inform next year’s strategy.

Athar Festival, organized and presented by Motivate Media Group, is Saudi Arabia’s flagship creativity and marketing festival. Being part of Athar means joining a team that brings together industry leaders, global speakers, and creative talent to shape the future of marketing and storytelling in the region.

Motivate Media Group is the region’s leading multi‑platform content producer with a diverse portfolio of media interests comprising magazines, digital, social, video, exhibitions & events, cinema, OOH and books. Interested candidates may apply attaching a copy of their CV and a one‑page cover letter.