Event Director - Technology Portfolio (Japanese speaking)

CloserStill Media; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

CloserStill Media in Singapore seeks an experienced Event Director to launch and scale a new technology show in Japan, building the event and the team from the ground up. You will own P&L, budgets, and growth strategy, and act as the face of the brand in Japan.

You're expected to have a proven track record as Event Director or Senior Event Manager, with experience launching new markets in APAC, and fluency in Japanese.

Qualifications

• Experienced Event Director or Senior Event Manager with APAC launch experience.
• Proven track record of managing large scale trade shows.
• Strong commercial acumen and leadership across brand, marketing, operations and sales.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver strategies for event program, budgets, resources and team under Commercial Director.
• Manage budgets, margins and ROI while supporting senior management on business priorities.
• Build and lead the DCWJ team from the ground up, including recruiting and onboarding.

Skills

Event Director

Senior Event Manager

Budget management

P&L responsibility

Salesforce CRM

Tools

Salesforce CRM

Job description

WHO WE ARE:

CloserStill Media is a global leader in organising over 80 market‑leading business exhibitions across learning, healthcare, technology, and veterinary sectors in Asia, the UK, Europe, and the USA. Our portfolio includes fast‑growing and award‑winning events such as the Singapore Vet Show, Big Data & AI World, Cloud & AI Infrastructure, Cyber Security World, Data Centre World, eCommerce Expo, Learning Technologies and DevLearn.

WHO WE ARE:

CloserStill Media is a global leader in organising over 80 market‑leading business exhibitions across learning, healthcare, technology, and veterinary sectors in Asia, the UK, Europe, and the USA. Our portfolio includes fast‑growing and award‑winning events such as the Singapore Vet Show, Big Data & AI World, Cloud & AI Infrastructure, Cyber Security World, Data Centre World, eCommerce Expo, Learning Technologies and DevLearn. We have won more than 60 major industry awards, including Best International Show at the AEO Excellence Awards 2025 and Best International Show – Asia Pacific for Tech Week Singapore at the EN Awards 2025 in London. These accolades reflect our commitment to delivering world‑class events that foster innovation and growth. We have exciting growth plans over the next two to three years and are looking for ambitious and motivated people to join our award‑winning teams.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

CloserStill Media (CSM) is looking for an experienced Event Director to launch and scale a new technology show in Japan, building the event – and the team behind it – from the ground up. If you are energised by the challenge of establishing a brand‑new market, enjoy owning a P&L end‑to‑end and want the opportunity to shape an event's future as the face of the brand in Japan, this is the role for you. You will bring a proven track record as an Event Director or Senior Event Manager, ideally with experience launching a new market or inaugural event in Japan or the wider APAC region. You are commercially astute, comfortable setting and delivering against budgets, sales targets and P&L responsibility and confident building strategy across brand, marketing, operations and sales.

THE ROLE:

Develop and deliver effective strategies for the event program, budget, resources and team under the direction of the Commercial Director, ensuring scalable and sustainable growth. Collaborate with internal departments, external partners as well as vendors to ensure smooth planning and execution. Manage budgets against target margins to maximise return on investment, while supporting senior management with wider business priorities as required.

Brands

• Through research, analysis, developing relationships and market intelligence, to implement strategies and initiatives to ensure the on‑going growth and sustainability of the event – writing a business plan for the event (updated annually)
• Produce coherent brand strategy for the event to maintain and increase relevance to target markets, meeting key‑stakeholder expectations
• Ensure that marketing strategy is aligned with the event’s commercial objectives
• Configure a strategic event floor plan in conjunction with the operations team – designed to meet the budget target and optimise the visitors experience and ensure constant and consistent visitor stand traffic for exhibitors
• Identify and implement (where possible and appropriate) additional inventory items, revenue streams and brand extension opportunities
• Monitor and report competitor activity, taking actions where necessary
• Understand event’s market trends and develop event around it

Financial

• Work alongside senior management in setting annual P&L, with accountability for meeting and exceeding budgeted gross and net profit contribution of the event
• Ensure that the PO process is adhered to and any anomalies in the monthly management accounts are spotted early and acted upon
• Monitor (and support where necessary) credit control’s collection of funds, ensuring all payments are received according to agreed schedules
• Provide a monthly report and forecast on show revenues, contribution, manpower and actions that are being taken for the shows to achieve budget

General Management

• Day‑to‑day management of the event team
• Build the Data Centre World Japan (DCWJ) team from the ground up, including recruiting, onboarding and managing staff, as well as collaborating with partners and sales agents ahead of the show’s launch.
• Set clear goals and objectives for all reporting staff
• Set, monitor and evaluate performance targets (with the aid of CRM applications)
• Create, monitor and evaluate individual bonus plans for the show team
• Complete annual and mid‑term staff appraisals as necessary
• Assess, develop and coach all reporting staff (including identifying bespoke training needs of individuals where necessary)
• Motivate the team and foster a high‑performance culture
• Coach and develop the team in all aspects of their roles, creating transition map to expanded roles and promotion where appropriate
• Interdepartmental – manage relationships with supporting departments, ensuring they are aligned to the event’s business objectives and commercial goals

Operations

• Work with the Head of Operations to develop an operational strategy that meets/comes in under budget while ensuring high levels of exhibitor and delegate experiences and production values are maintained
• Ensure the operational plan is being delivered in an efficient and timely manner

Marketing

• Develop campaign strategy with Head of Marketing / marketing team to meet overall visitor numbers (with the right demographics), feature content, visitor and acquisition costs
• Personally manage all key industry partnerships in conjunction with Head of Marketing / marketing team
• Develop an exhibitor campaign strategy including vertical and horizontal activity
• Appoint contractors/suppliers/agencies with the Head of Marketing / marketing team as required
• Conduct press/TV and radio interviews as necessary

Relationships

• Foster positive and professional relationships with key suppliers, associations, media and commercial partners

Sales

• Manage Event Managers and other sales staff within the show
• Develop and manage commercial partnerships aligning with commercial strategy
• Lead by example – achieve personal sales targets
• Develop a campaign strategy with the sales team that meets and exceeds targets including overall numbers of exhibitors, exhibitor mix, stand sales, sponsorship inventory, yield and sponsorship revenues
• Ensure the sales plan is being delivered on target and budget, managing activity targets (outbound call volumes and face‑to‑face meetings) when necessary
• Support the sales team in developing new revenues streams, including creative and complex deals
• Visit and canvas at competitor and industry events and develop a systematic understanding of and monitoring of competitors
• Plan, manage and execute the rebooking process
• Support the sales team frequently on prospecting calls and meetings to identify areas for improvement and enhanced sales performance
• Work with Marketing on developing and managing the prospect database to ensure it is constantly updated and is fit for purpose falling in line with the companies CRM policy.
• Ensure consistent high‑quality conduct in all prospect, exhibitor and partner communications, ensuring the upholding of the business and brand’s reputation

ABOUT YOU:

• Previous experience as an Event Director or Senior Event Manager. Experience launching a new market or inaugural event, ideally in Japan or the wider APAC region, is highly advantageous.
• Experience managing large scale trade shows.
• Collaborative mindset and a team player are a must.
• Passionate, driven, energetic and enthusiastic.
• High personal standards and values.
• A track record of achievement and over‑achievement.
• A proven ability to hit and exceed sales targets.
• Proficient IT skills including Salesforce CRM.
• Fluent in Japanese, with the ability to read, write and pitch confidently to Japanese clients, partners and government stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of Japanese business culture, etiquette and negotiation nuances.

WORK LOCATION:

This role is based in Singapore.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:

CloserStill Media embrace diversity in all its forms and are committed to continuing to develop a diverse and inclusive environment that encourages collaboration and innovation. We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment based on merit without attention to age, ethnicity, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status or disability status.

PERSONAL DATA CONSENT:

The information you provide in your job application will be used and processed by or on behalf of CSM for purposes related to your registration of interest in current or future employment with CSM and for the processing of your application for employment. We will collect and use the personal data that you have supplied to facilitate the processing of your application for employment purposes. We will use personal information such as telephone number and/or email address to contact you on job opportunities. Please note that the information you provide may be used by a third party to enable us to process your application. These third parties may be located outside of Singapore to carry out some of the processing and administrative functions for CSM and would be under duty of care to maintain the appropriate levels or security and confidentiality and only use the information as instructed by CSM. The personal data held by CSM relating to the applicants will be kept strictly confidential. CSM may collect information through other sources for processing and evaluating your application for employment. If your application is successful, the information will be used in the administration of your employment. CSM may provide and/or transfer such data, whether in Singapore or outside of Singapore, to (i) any other departments within CSM or if necessary, with Government agencies; (ii) any third party service provider who provides administrative, data processing, computer or other services to CSM. As part of assessing your suitability to work with CSM, we may use your information to conduct reference checks in accordance with CSM's HR Policy. If your application is unsuccessful, CSM may retain and use the information to deal with any matter which may arise in connection with your application, for purposes of contacting you in connection with ongoing recruitment opportunities, as well as for data analysis and business purposes. If you do not wish to be considered for positions in CSM other than that you have applied for, please write in to [e-mail]. By submitting this job application, you consent and agree to your data being used in conjunction with the recruitment and employment purposes at CSM. In order to maximise your opportunities to work with CSM, you are encouraged to keep the information provided to us up to date at all times. You are responsible for ensuring that the personal data is correct and true. You also have the option to withdraw your consent anytime.