Job Description

FAN EXPO HQ is the largest comic con event producer in the world. Our mission is to deliver the ultimate fan experience through our growing portfolio of events, which includes MEGACON Orlando, FAN EXPO Dallas, FAN EXPO Boston, FAN EXPO Denver, FAN EXPO San Francisco, FAN EXPO Canada, Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo, FAN EXPO Vancouver, and more.

FAN EXPO HQ is a division of Informa, the world’s leading events company, and together we create opportunities for fans to explore and celebrate all things pop-culture, through operational excellence, fandom expertise, and out-of-this-world content.

Just as no two days are the same, at Informa Connect we recognise that no two people are the same, putting diversity and inclusivity at the heart of what we do. This doesn’t happen by chance. We actively work to create a shared culture. It’s a place where individuals bring their own experience and insights to discover new opportunities and build a varied career. We want you to thrive as part of a fantastic community. We champion you.

Ready to embark on a new and exciting adventure? Read on.

The Guest Acquisition Manager will be responsible for researching and recruiting the talent for all FXHQ events.

Reporting to the Director of Strategy of Business Development and working closely with the President of Fan Expo HQ, this role will be responsible for achieving celebrity content objectives for events within Fan Expo HQ and for development of guest acquisition and negotiation strategies with the President of Fan Expo HQ.

Who you are:

• Highly energized professional
• Frequent flyer, excited by travel
• A strong negotiator with a heightened sense of detail
• Knowledgeable about pop culture, and able to develop strategies to quickly understand new genres / trends as required
• Commercially minded, able to help craft deals that minimize risk to the business, as well as providing financial upside
• Personable – you are a smooth talker and know how to get people to better understand value in deals / partnerships

Key responsibilities:

• In collaboration with FX President and genre experts, build guest lists for all content genres including (but not limited to) A-List Celebrities, Comic creators, Voice actors, Gaming Stars, Cosplayers and more, for all FXHQ events.
• Interact and build strong, lasting relationships with booking agents, talent agencies.
• Support, and from time to time lead, negotiations and contracting discussions with agents and agencies.
• Transfer negotiated terms to contracting team. Assist during high volume periods to create contracts.
• Establish and maintain research and advisory teams from in-house experts across the business to inform and develop strategy.
• Research the pop culture convention market to ensure Fan Expo HQ content has a high value proposition for fan communities and for sponsors/endemic partners
• Build and maintain comprehensive records/database of historic guest appearances across all events, taking into account actor profiles, their earnings (fan demand) and other data points to support talent acquisition
• Manage and communicate guest rankings, photo op team ups and other specific guest classifications as required to inform marketing and promotion of talent.
• Monitor competitive events to ensure FAN EXPO is offering a premier product against other offerings in the industry.
• Manage, track and notate all open conversations with prospective talent in collaboration with FX President to ensure all opportunities are fully explored and closed.
• Manage the non-compete with some of the guests against competitive events.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Have a keen understanding of celebrity news, culture, and events
• Have the ability to negotiate complex contracts following the company’s business strategy and revenue plans
• Good judgement and problem solving
• Able to travel to shows
• Have a strong understanding of Social Media trends
• Have effective communication skills in both English
• Be proficient in Microsoft Excel, Office, and on Social Media Platforms
• Be creative
• The pay range for this position is $70,000 - $85,000 depending on experience
• This posting will expire 6/14

Additional Information

We work hard to make sure Life at Informa is rewarding, supportive and enjoyable for everyone. Here’s some of what you can expect when you join us. But don’t just take our word for it – see what our colleagues have to say at LifeAt.Informa.com

Our benefits include:

• Freedom & flexibility: colleagues rate us highly for the flexibility and trust they receive, and we support a range of working patterns

• Great community: a welcoming culture with in-person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World charity day and active diversity and inclusion networks

• Broader impact: take up to four days per year to volunteer, with charity match funding available too

• Career opportunity: the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms and on-demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning. When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves

• Time out: 15 days PTO rising to 20 after three years and 25 after six years, plus 10 national holidays, a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year

• Competitive benefits, including a 401k match, health, vision and dental insurance, parental leave and an ESPP offering company shares at a minimum 15% discount

• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, free access to a wellness app and more

• Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programs

As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world, we’re not solely focused on a checklist of skills. We champion energy and ambition and look for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up, join in and help make things happen. If it sounds like a match and you have most – although not all – of the skills and experience listed, we welcome your application. At Informa, you'll find inclusive experiences and environments where all perspectives and backgrounds are welcomed. As part of this approach and our diversity and inclusion commitments, we are also formally an Equal Opportunities Employer. This means we base decisions on relevant qualifications and merit and do not discriminate on the basis of key characteristics and statuses, including all of those protected by law. Ask us or see our website for full information.