Senior Project Manager - Conferences and Events

ASN Events; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Travel opportunities

Job summary

ASN Events in Melbourne seeks an experienced Senior Conference Project Manager to lead a portfolio of conferences and business events from concept through to delivery.

This senior, client-facing role oversees complex projects, budgets, supplier contracts and stakeholder engagement, with mentorship for junior team members. Interstate travel may be required and a hybrid work structure supports flexibility.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing conferences, events or similar complex projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets and financial reporting.
• Strong project planning and organisational skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and contract negotiations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• High attention to detail and strong ownership mindset.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of conferences and events from planning through to delivery.
• Build strong relationships with committees, convenors, clients and stakeholders.
• Lead planning discussions and provide strategic advice throughout the project lifecycle.
• Anticipate risks, identify opportunities and implement practical solutions.
• Develop and manage project plans, critical pathways and event timelines.
• Prepare and oversee conference budgets and financial reporting.
• Negotiate and manage supplier contracts and key service providers.
• Ensure project milestones and deliverables are achieved.
• Oversee all conference logistics from planning through to onsite execution.
• Lead onsite event teams and coordinate stakeholders, suppliers and venues.
• Resolve issues confidently and professionally in high-pressure environments.
• Ensure conferences are delivered to an exceptional standard.
• Mentor and support project coordinators and junior team members.
• Contribute to process improvements and best-practice project delivery.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-focused team culture.

Skills

Conference management

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Project planning

Mentoring

Communication skills

Job description

Salary $100,000-$130,000 (based on experience)

About ASN Events

At ASN Events, we deliver conferences and association management services that change people's lives for the better across scientific, medical, environmental and professional sectors.

Our conferences bring together researchers, clinicians, industry leaders and professionals to share knowledge, advance their fields and create meaningful impact. Behind every successful conference is a team of highly capable event professionals who know how to turn complexity into exceptional outcomes.

The Role

We're looking for an experienced Senior Conference Project Manager to lead a portfolio of conferences and business events from concept through to successful delivery.

This is a senior client-facing role responsible for managing complex conference projects, building strong stakeholder relationships and ensuring events are delivered on time, on budget and to an exceptional standard. You'll oversee the full conference lifecycle including project planning, budgeting, supplier management, stakeholder engagement, onsite delivery and post-event reporting. Experience leading or mentoring other event professionals will be highly regarded.

We're looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with excellent operational execution and thrives in a fast-paced environment where no two projects are the same.

Flexible Employment Arrangement

We recognise that exceptional event professionals come from a variety of backgrounds and life stages. While this role is typically full-time, we're open to discussing flexible arrangements for the right candidate. What matters most to us is capability, professionalism and the ability to deliver outstanding outcomes for our clients.

As a full-time role we operate a hybrid structure:

• 3 days in-office / 2 days WFH
• Office located at 5 Queens Road, Melbourne VIC
• Close to ANZAC Station
• Interstate travel may be required
• Occasional evening and weekend work during conferences

Key Responsibilities

Conference Leadership & Client Engagement

• Manage a portfolio of conferences and events from planning through to delivery
• Build strong relationships with committees, convenors, clients and stakeholders
• Lead planning discussions and provide strategic advice throughout the project lifecycle
• Anticipate risks, identify opportunities and implement practical solutions
• Develop and manage project plans, critical pathways and event timelines
• Prepare and oversee conference budgets and financial reporting
• Negotiate and manage supplier contracts and key service providers
• Ensure project milestones and deliverables are achieved

Conference Delivery

• Oversee all conference logistics from planning through to onsite execution
• Lead onsite event teams and coordinate stakeholders, suppliers and venues
• Resolve issues confidently and professionally in high-pressure environments
• Ensure conferences are delivered to an exceptional standard
• Mentor and support project coordinators and junior team members
• Contribute to process improvements and best-practice project delivery
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-focused team culture

About You

You're an experienced conference professional who has successfully delivered conferences and business events from start to finish.

You are highly organised, commercially minded and comfortable working directly with clients, committees and senior stakeholders. You enjoy solving problems, managing competing priorities and leading projects to successful outcomes.

You'll likely be a great fit if:

• You've managed complex conferences or events from inception to delivery
• You're confident managing budgets, timelines and stakeholder expectations
• You communicate professionally and build strong client relationships
• You remain calm under pressure and focus on solutions
• You take ownership and see things through
• You enjoy supporting and mentoring others

Must-Haves:

• Significant experience managing conferences, events or similar complex projects
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets and financial reporting
• Strong project planning and organisational skills
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Experience managing supplier relationships and contract negotiations
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• High attention to detail and strong ownership mindset

Nice-to-Haves:

• Experience working within a Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) environment
• International conference management experience
• Sponsorship and exhibition management experience
• Experience with event registration, abstract or conference management platforms
• Experience leading or mentoring project teams

Why Join ASN Events?

We're proud of the culture we've built. Our team is collaborative, supportive and genuinely invested in each other's success. We trust our people, encourage professional growth and provide opportunities to work on some of Australia's leading scientific, medical and association conferences. At ASN Events, you'll have the opportunity to take ownership of meaningful projects, contribute your ideas and be part of a team committed to delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients.