Conference Assistant

Association Of British Orchestras; Greater London; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Association of British Orchestras (ABO) in London is seeking a Conference Assistant for a fixed-term role from December 2026 to February 2027, including the Birmingham conference week. You will support member services, handle delegate bookings, and help manage the programme and communications for a major industry event.

The role requires strong organisational and communication skills, IT proficiency, and a proactive, detail-oriented approach to teamwork across venues and partners.

Qualifications

• Strong organisational and communication skills are essential.
• Proactive approach with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Support member services in advance of the conference, including newsletters and enquiries.
• Assist with the conference booking process for delegates, trade and sponsorship places.
• Update conference information on the ABO website and CrowdComms platform.
• Support the Marketing & Communications Manager with content for social media and emails.
• Attend the full conference, welcome delegates and VIP guests at registration.
• Liaise with venue staff to ensure smooth conference operation and moderating digital Q&As.
• Assist with ABO Marketplace setup with sponsors and exhibitors.
• Perform additional duties as required.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Proactive approach

Tools

Microsoft Office

Mail merge

AV equipment

Job description

The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) is the national body representing the collective interest of professional orchestras, youth ensembles and the wider classical music industry throughout the UK. Our mission is to enable and support an innovative, collaborative and sustainable orchestral sector by providing advice, support, intelligence and information to the people who make British orchestras a global success.

The ABO’s primary event each year is its annual conference, the major gathering of the classical music industry in the UK, with over 300 delegates drawn from orchestras both from within the UK and abroad, plus funding agencies, venues, agents, publishers and suppliers. The 2027 ABO Conference will be held in Birmingham from 3-5 February 2027, hosted by the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

We are looking for a conference assistant to join the ABO team for a fixed-term period beginning in December 2026 in the run-up to and for the duration of the conference. Many former assistants and interns who started at the ABO have gone on to successful careers in the sector and now work for organisations that are themselves members of the association.

Job Description

Supporting member services in advance of the conference, including member newsletters, answering telephone and email enquiries, and updating the ABO database as needed.

Supporting the conference booking process for delegates, trade and sponsorship places, creation and ordering of lanyards, name badges, and printed programmes.

Regularly updating conference information on the ABO website and online platforms (CrowdComms), including edits to the programme and session contents, uploading speaker biographies and photos, delegate lists and graphics/documents.

Support the Marketing & Communications Manager in creating and posting content on the ABO’s social media channels in the lead up to and throughout the conference, as well as emails to delegates and scheduling messages through the conference app.

Attend the full conference, welcoming delegates, speakers, sponsors and VIP guests at the registration desk.

Supporting the Conference Manager liaising with venue staff to ensure smooth running of the conference, supervising sessions and moderating digital Q&As as required.

Assisting the Marketing & Communications Manager in liaising with sponsors and trade exhibitors setting up for the ABO Marketplace.

Assisting the ABO team with any additional duties as required.

Role Requirements

We are looking for a candidate with strong organisational and communication skills, as well as a keen interest in classical music and the orchestral sector. You will be a responsible individual with a proactive approach, excellent attention to detail and the ability to work independently or as part of a team. You may be liaising with ABO members, artists, audiences, or partner organisations, so a friendly and professional manner is essential.

This role involves using technology, so confidence using IT is essential, and an understanding of data protection and confidentiality is important. Familiarity with Microsoft Office programs, including mail merge features, as well as the use of audio/visual hardware for presentations, meetings and social media would be an advantage. Previous experience in an arts or administrative role is helpful but not essential. We welcome candidates who are eager to learn and develop their skills within a supportive team environment.

Reports to: Membership & Operations Manager

Location: Somerset House, London WC2R 1LA (nearest Underground stations are Embankment, Temple and Charing Cross). The successful candidate will also be required to work in Birmingham between 2-5 February 2027.

Contract: Fixed term appointment for up to 28 days between December 2026 – February 2027. An earlier start date may be considered. We anticipate that the successful candidate will be required to work 2-3 days per week in December (excluding shutdown between Christmas and New Year), with an increase in days in January and 5 days during the conference week (1-5 February).

Days/Hours: Standard working hours are 09:30-17:30 with a one-hour unpaid lunch break. Some flexibility around working hours may be required during the conference period. Working days and commencement date to be agreed with the successful candidate.

Remuneration: London Living Wage (£14.80 per hour) Travel and accommodation in Birmingham during the conference.