VP, Programs and Operations
Informa Festivals marks an exciting new chapter in B2B events, bringing some of the world's most influential creative, technology, and business festivals together. We're combining prestigious events like Cannes Lions, Black Hat, Money20 / 20, GDC, and London Tech Week with cutting-edge marketing intelligence platforms and advisory services to deliver unmissable experiences and insights.
Our festival-led approach reimagines traditional B2B events, creating powerful, immersive experiences that drive innovation and industry advancement. Building on decades of expertise and powered by Informa's international reach, we're shaping the next generation of business festivals.
This role is based in our New York Office. We're looking for a VP, Programs and Operations to join our team in New York as part of our Effie Awards function. As the VP, Programs and Operations you will oversee operations, planning, and execution of our Awards program. You will bring strong programs focus, overseeing multiple aspects of the Awards development, scheduling, logistics, and data integrity.
Travel Requirements : This role requires travel up to 15% of time, including domestic and occasional international travel.
Key Responsibilities
Program Management & Development
- Oversee the strategy, development, and execution of the Effie Awards programs ensuring all components from entry submissions to judging and post-event recognition run smoothly and meet deadlines.
- Collaborate across internal teams (e.g., Marketing, Data, Insights) to align efforts and ensure a seamless awards process.
- Continuously identify and implement process improvements across the awards lifecycle to increase efficiency and reduce complexity, including areas such as entry submissions, judging, and data collection.
- Assist in the growth and development of the awards program, including contributing to pricing models, product updates, and the addition of new award categories.
Operational Efficiency & Technology Integration
Work closely with the product and technology teams to improve the efficiency of the awards software platform, ensuring any updates or changes align with program requirements and improve overall program operations.Ensure data integrity, accuracy, and across all systems, taking the lead on identifying opportunities to capture valuable data that can inform decisions and improve program effectiveness.Lead and oversee the entry collection and publication process, ensuring a seamless and efficient workflow to support the growth and accessibility of the Effie Case Library.Team Leadership & Development
Identify opportunities for growth and development within the team to support long-term success.Oversee the onboarding and training of new staff members, ensuring they are set up for success and understand organizational processes.Establish and maintain processes for documenting key operational knowledge, ensuring continuity and reducing risk for the organization.Strategic Leadership & Awards Program Growth
Stay up to date on market trends, shifts in the marketing industry, and changes in competitive awards programs to ensure the Effie Awards stay relevant and continue to lead the field.Proactively represent the Effie Awards to external stakeholders, including agencies, industry leaders, and potential partners, promoting the value and prestige of our brand.Act as a key public-facing representative for Effie, often moderating sessions or acting as a liaison during judging events, ensuring smooth communication and coordination.Qualifications :
At least 15 years of experience in project management, operations leadership, or program management, agency experience required.Proven track record of managing and motivating teams, with the ability to provide clear direction and manage cross-functional projects.Strong background in leading large, complex projects with multiple stakeholders, timelines, and moving parts.Experience identifying and implementing process improvements, streamlining workflows, and driving automation in a project-based environment.Ability to manage data-related aspects of projects, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and security across platforms and systems.Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage internal teams, industry leaders, and external partners.Experience in managing international programs or cross-regional projects is a plus.Proficiency with MS Office applications, project management and CRM software (e.g., Asana, Salesforce). Event Management software experience is desired.