Senior Conference Producer - COP31

The Programme Manager role is a rare and important opportunity to play a key role in shaping the world's climate transition. You will lead delivery of Climate Action's flagship programmes: the Sustainable Innovation Forum, convened at the annual UNFCCC COP, and the Climate Innovation Forum, convened during London Climate Action Week and an exciting new launch Climate Implementation Forum during Climate Week New York, alongside key milestone moments across the global climate calendar. You will unite the decision-makers who hold the power to drive positive change.

You will be comfortable operating at the highest levels of the UN, business and government, with a strong working understanding of climate policy and the UNFCCC COP process.

This role suits an ambitious, highly passionate programme producer with sustainability and climate/sustainability knowledge and event content production experience, looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity to help build a world-class portfolio of events that deliver genuine global environmental and social impact.

About Climate Action

Climate Action has been at the intersection of climate change policy, innovation and sustainable finance over the last 19 years, working in formal partnerships with multiple UN Agencies and key stakeholder groups to create and deliver high impact forums, digital content and the Climate Action Coalition. Based in London, but global in reach, our events include the Climate Innovation Forum during London Climate Action Week, the Sustainable Innovation Forum, Climate Implementation Summit and the Climate Action Innovation Zone alongside the annual UN COP meetings, and the Sustainable Investment Forums in Climate Week New York.
For more info visit: about.climateaction.org

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Production & Programme Management

• Produce cutting-edge programmes that balance commercial/sponsor needs with target audience needs
• Curate and shape session formats and topics designed to move beyond surface-level discussion and deliver genuinely fresh, high-impact conversations that leave audiences with something to act on
• Design and continually evolve session formats and topic angles to avoid repetition, ensuring every discussion feels current, sharp, and worth the audience's time
• Take ownership of event content strategy and delivery plan includes programme delivery for in person, digital, hybrid & physical events (incl. conferences, webinars, podcasts, and roundtables)
• Develop, implement, monitor, and ensure event content strategy is delivered, key milestones are met, and event targets are on track through the event life cycle. 
• Refresh programme formats and secure new speakers each event cycle by staying current with industry trends and developments
• Maintain the online agenda (event website) as the live, accurate source of record at all times
• Keep the live agenda accurate and current as the single source of truth
• Ensure agenda content aligns with speaker and sponsor/partner objectives
• Prepare weekly reporting documents to provide team status update on speaker recruitment and agenda delivery
• Submit a weekly production status report to line manager every Friday by end of day
• Ensure each panel or dialogue features at least 2–3 sponsors with strong editorial balance
• Uphold diversity benchmarks:50% gender parity (minimum 40% per gender), 25% ethnicity diversity, No all-male or all-single-region panels
• Research and draft conference programmes, validating them with the market through research calls
• Lead on delivering event briefs for the marketing and sales
• Oversee production assistants and freelance producers supporting programme delivery, as required
• Draft written interviews, scripts and production briefs for moderators and chairs
• Lead programme consultation meetings about themes, speakers, session topics and format

Speaker Acquisition & Stakeholder Management

• Own the speaker pipeline end to end, hitting full confirmation within the set timelines
• Invite, secure and manage high-level speakers such as heads of state, government ministers, heads of UN agencies, climate celebrities, key global CEOs and philanthropists
• Confirm all speakers [principles only] by identifying, inviting and confirming speakers to join the agenda. This includes follow ups on invitations and issue new invitations where required to ensure the profile of speakers are confirmed within the set deadlines
• Participate in VIP/guest speaker prospect calls to secure confirmations
• Identify and close any speaker gaps in a timely manner; Where sessions have speaker gaps due to lack of sponsorship, bridge them with qualified guest speakers
• Ensure all confirmed speakers are registered and profiles published on the website
• Achieve 100% speaker confirmation across the agenda 4-weeks out from event, including sponsor and guest speakers
• Close content gaps proactively with speakers who protect programme quality, not just fill a slot
• Ensure speaker and session briefings are completed within a diligent timeline
• Secure high-level partnerships with UN agencies, governments and multilateral organisations to endorse programmes secure high profile speakers and deliver senior delegate delegations to the event

Session Briefing & Pre-Event Preparation

• Lead all briefing calls and prepare high-quality briefing documents
• Develop and deliver a comprehensive run of show and brief/share with relevant parties
• Brief and prepare event hosts/chairs for full alignment and readiness
• Prepare Main Stage holding slides with the design and AV production teams

Commercial Strategy & Sales Support

• Research and develop agendas that are commercially validated through research calls, competitor analysis and overview (content, format, pricing)
• Lead weekly sales-production meetings commencing to align the sales team on key sponsor prospects per session
• Prepare sponsor target list aligned to each session /event
• Collaborate with the sales team to align sponsors with relevant sessions and maximise participation
• Join sponsorship calls to provide content angles and help secure deals
• Build agendas that are commercially strong while staying editorially independent
• Ensure every session carries genuine editorial balance alongside sponsor participation
• Ensure all programmes are commercially viable while holding impact
• Establish content / speaking inventory to meet revenue targets
• Confirm speakers that support and drive revenue targets and audience delivery 
• Support the commercial team to ensure we reach revenue targets

Editorial & Marketing Content

• Working closely with the Marketing to create messaging playbook per event
• Collaborate with marketing to manage comms schedule aligned with production priorities to spotlight trending topics, sessions and featured speakers
• Review marketing copy to ensure value proposition is clear
• Ensure that event content is correctly presented and positioned and aligned with the industry to demonstrate the event’s unique value proposition and position as a must attend event for all industry leaders
• Produce compelling marketing copy for email campaigns, sponsorship brochures, social media, websites and video scripts to drive registrations and sponsor lead generation
• Develop Q&A questions for sponsor filmed interviews and written interviews where required
  

Onsite Delivery

• Oversee onsite conference programme delivery to ensure smooth running with minimal speaker gaps on stage
• Update and manage the live run of show as required throughout the day
• Manage moderators/chairs/hosts in collaboration with the show caller
• Set up Slido for live audience Q&A and live polling including develop and schedule live polling questions aligned to the run of show
• Coordinate speaker arrivals on stage and manage any no-shows proactively
• Manage smart tablets for session moderators with relevant questions where applicable
• Engage audiences with live polling and Q&A throughout the day
• Verify (pre-event) all holding slides are in the correct order with accurate speaker names, partner logos, and housekeeping information, must match run of show before event opening session
  

Post-Event Delivery

• Send tailored thank-you communications to all speakers and requesting testimonials
• Produce a conference outcomes report for marketing use
• Compile internal debrief notes with key learnings and recommendations for next edition planning 
• Review on-demand video content where required to ensure its correctly presented on-demand
• Complete any outstanding sponsor deliverables, including written Q&A interviews for post event wrap up

Requirements

• A minimum of 4 years' experience creating, managing and delivering programmes for international B2B conferences funded by sponsorship and delegate or membership revenue, ideally in sustainability, climate, finance, energy or agriculture
• Extensive knowledge of climate change, policy and sustainability, including subnational climate commitments and the UNFCCC COP process
• Deep experience in a single market sector with strong relationships across the industry , for example sustainable innovation, energy transition, transportation, cities and the built environment, industrial sectors, agriculture and agribusiness, international climate finance, sustainable business or supply chains
• Genuine alignment with Climate Action's mission and business objectives
• A track record as an impactful leader who can drive ideas forward, build community alliances and navigate complex networks
• A proactive, independent approach to delivering tasks and achieving project objectives
• Strong multi-tasking and organisational skills, with close attention to detail, timelines and budgets
• A team-player mindset, comfortable supporting colleagues alongside strategic, senior-level activity
• The adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure events environment, managing multiple priorities with ease
• Desirable: A sustainability or climate-related qualification, an academic or professional background in sustainability, climate science, or a related field

Benefits

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience, plus a generous and achievable bonus scheme
• The opportunity to work alongside globally recognised sustainability and climate leaders
• A role within a rapidly growing, mission-led company making a genuine positive impact on the planet
• 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working: 2 days remote, 3 days in our Victoria WeWork offices (may be subject to change)
• 10 additional flexible remote working dates after probation
• Ethical pension plan with a 3% employer contribution
• WeWork wellbeing benefits, including yoga and meditation sessions, on-site barista, community bar, table tennis, showers, and the option to bring your pet to work
• Benenden Health Scheme