Assistant Manager, Start-up and Innovation (1-year contract)

Hong Kong Trade Development Council; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 720,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in Hong Kong seeks a dynamic, high-calibre marketing professional to organise promotional programs and build the start-up ecosystem locally, including event planning and speaker recruitment.

You will oversee promotional activities for start-up projects, manage marketing and communications, handle event logistics, provide on-site support, and outreach to HK and international start-up communities.

Qualifications

• A recognised university degree with at least 8 years’ working experience in sales/marketing/exhibition or public relations.
• Strong understanding of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology/start-up ecosystem and markets.
• Creative, innovative, flexible, and capable under time/resource pressure.
• A start-up mindset and out-of-the-box thinking.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Chinese, Putonghua; third language is an advantage.
• Senior level sales, marketing and communication skills with teamwork ability.
• Self-motivated, outgoing with strong project planning skills.
• Experience in organising start-up related events and large-scale exhibitions or conferences is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and execute promotional activities for start-up projects.
• Manage marketing and communications for start-up initiatives.
• Plan event/conference programmes and recruit speakers.
• Handle and supervise event logistics including venue setup and information prep.
• Provide on-site and other administrative support as needed.
• Outreach to start-up communities in Hong Kong and abroad for events.

Skills

Sales and marketing

Event planning

Public relations

Communication skills

Project planning

Team player

Education

University degree

Job description

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 51 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub.

The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels.

As we celebrate our 60th anniversary in 2026 and begin a new three-year business cycle, our mission remains as strong as ever to help Hong Kong thrive in trade and businesses succeed in the ever-changing landscape.

We are seeking a dynamic, high-calibre and experienced professional to join our team.

The appointee will be responsible for organising HKTDC’s marketing/promotional programs and activities for local start-ups and community building for Hong Kong start-up ecosystem, including:

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and execute promotional activities for different start-up projects;
• In charge of marketing and communication tasks for start-up projects;
• Planning of event / conference programme, including recruitment of speakers;
• Handle and supervise event logistics such as venue setup and information preparation, etc.;
• Provide on-site support and other administrative support as and when necessary;
• Outreach to start-up communities in Hong Kong and aboard for promoting HKTDC start-up events.

Requirements:

• A recognised university degree with at least 8 years’ working experience, preferably with sizable organisations, in any of the following areas: sales and marketing; exhibition/event organisation or public/corporate relations etc.;
• Strong inclination and understanding of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development, Hong Kong and global start-up ecosystem covering various industry verticals, and markets and business opportunities for Hong Kong start-ups;
• Creative, innovative, flexible and be able to deliver under time and resource pressure;
• A start-up mindset and always think out of the box;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English and Chinese, including Putonghua; knowledge of a third language an advantage;
• Mature with superior skills in sales, marketing and communication;
• A strong team player with excellent organisational and interpersonal skills;
• Self-motivated and outgoing with good project planning ability;
• Previous experience in organising start-up related events and large-scale exhibitions or conferences an added advantage.

Remuneration and Benefits:

The successful candidate will be appointed on fixed-term contract basis, renewable subject to operational needs. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

All information provided by applicants will be treated in strict confidence and used only for recruitment purposes. Applicants may be considered for other suitable positions within the Council. Their personal data will be destroyed six months after the selection is finalised.