Fortune Live Media: Program Director (Contract Role)
Location: Remote or Hybrid (Applicants in APAC or EMEA region preferred)
Retainer Period: 1 September 2026 – 1 May 2027
OVERVIEW:
Fortune is seeking a Program Director for a high-level convening of business and policy leaders taking place in the APAC region in April 2027.
The Director will be tasked with overseeing all aspects of program development and execution for the event – from the booking of all speakers and high-level talent to agenda development and sponsored content. They will also manage and direct a small team of producers and work with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure all aspects of convening are of the highest editorial quality and representative of the key issues facing global business.
The position will report to CEO of Fortune Asia and to Fortune's Executive Director, Global Programming, working alongside programmers and other editorial team leads.
WORK SCOPE:
General Management/Leadership:
- Collaborate with Company stakeholders (including Fortune APAC leadership team, Editorial Directors, and Fortune editorial co-chairs) and clients/sponsors to define program direction, content themes, and speaker selections.
- Lead internal support team, including program manager(s), speaker relations manager(s), and scriptwriter.
- Ensure that all program content meets Fortune's editorial standards for live journalism and is of high editorial and journalistic value.
- Pre-Event Execution: Oversee comprehensive program development strategy and agenda execution:
- Prepare program overview document to include framework agenda, general mission statement, and program themes and topics.
- Create program execution timeline and ensure all key milestones are achieved.
- Organize and lead bi-weekly program team and co-chair calls.
- Participate in weekly cross-functional team meetings to share relevant program updates.
- Participate in client/sponsor advisory meetings and conference calls.
- Submit weekly updates on program progress and speaker recruitment to Company (via email) and to clients/sponsors (via client services teams).
- Define and set content parameters for all mainstage and breakout sessions, advising program manager and sales team on editorial direction and booking strategy, while ensuring alignment with both client and editorial goals.
- Oversee the recruitment and confirmation of all approved speakers for the program. This process will include:
- Creating speaker invitation template and supporting speaker pitch materials.
- Extending speaker invitations and confirmations (including both written, live and/or virtual delivery and communication as needed).
- Ensuring all speaker information and contacts are updated in internal speaker tracking documents.
- Writing and/or editing session headlines and abstracts.
- Participating in speaker pre-interview calls and final speaker/moderator prep calls.
- Preparing and/or copy-editing text for website and marketing materials, including program overviews, session and format descriptions, and other related documents.
- Collaborate with production team to ensure all event experiences and activities align with program content/themes and enhance attendee experience.
- Approve, copy-edit, and assist with the delivery of speaker and moderator briefing documents for all sessions (both mainstage and breakout), including final approval of all talking points.
- Review and copy-edit all draft scripts and host remarks (both mainstage and breakout sessions)
On-Site Event Execution:
- Review and copy-edit all final scripts, pronos, and speaker titles.
- Ensure agenda is updated to reflect all change and communicate all changes to all stakeholders.
- Participate in all on-site staff and production meetings.
- Green room management to include managing speaker wrangling/greeting assignments, managing VIP meet/greets or other high-touch speaker interactions.
- Breakout session proctoring and/or room monitoring.
Post-Event:
- Deliver post-event evaluations and recommendations through debrief meetings and written reports, including content analysis and key takeaways.
- Send necessary follow-up correspondence and thank-you notes to speakers.
- Finalize internal docs and materials (including agenda, scripts, speaker tracking documents, and other ancillary files) for archives.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 10+ years of relevant experience in live journalism, television news programming, conferences and/or high level convenings.
- Demonstrated experience producing content and/or booking speakers for high-profile events involving public and private sector officials.
- A robust rolodex of contacts across global business and policy-making, particularly in Europe, Asia, and Middle East regions.
- Excellent research and writing skills, with ability to quickly synthesize information and develop news-making session content.
- Excellent communication, relationship management, and negotiation skills with the ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders.
- Strong judgment, discretion, and attention to detail in handling sensitive information and high-visibility engagements.
- Demonstrated experience leading teams, with ability to manage projects across multiple workstreams and meet deadlines in a fast-paced events environment.
- Willingness to travel and work outside standard business hours as event schedules require.
