We’re building a different type of newsroom, for a slower, wiser news. Now more than ever it’s important to have calm, clear journalism you can trust. We’re not chasing breaking news, but revealing what’s driving it. Built to cover stories not as they happen, but when they’re ready. Where everyone has a seat at the table. Tortoise sets out to bring people together to try and make sense of the world. We’re here to build journalism that lasts. 

At Tortoise, we work with partners to build bespoke products and communications solutions built on Tortoise’s code of journalistic values of organised listening, independence and openness.

We are building membership-driven content, events and market intelligence business for C-suite executives and industry professionals. Our Responsible Business Forums attract some of the highest profile CEOs who run the world’s most influential organisations. Supported by world-class industry research, our members pay to access peer-to-peer discussion forums, networking dinners, roundtables and newsletters. We are quickly building a reputation for providing distinctive and influential events and content that attract extremely high calibre members. In addition, our B2C offering drives a scale through our audio content and a smaller but highly desirable audience through our newsletter content.

What’s my personal contribution?

The Live Content and Programming Director will have editorial and operational responsibility for all Tortoise Live events output, across both B2B and B2C. You will lead a newly centralised team of talented event professionals, including programming / talent booking, editing and tech direction, operations and customer experience. You will work closely with the editorial and commercial teams to develop and deliver differentiated, intelligent, purposeful and entertaining live events that deliver Tortoise editorial strategy and meet commercial targets for attendance and sponsorship revenue.

They will represent the team editorially to internal and external stakeholders and support business development efforts where required. 

What are my responsibilities & accountabilities?

• Design and lead a new annual event planning strategy and delivery cycle to ensure all events are delivered to the highest possible editorial and operational standards.
• Leverage market and customer insights to develop fresh, innovative ideas and set the strategic direction for the B2C and B2B programming calendar.
• With support from the programming team, research, write and produce nuanced, distinctive, entertaining live programmes (digital, hybrid and in-person) for all our Partners and B2C members.
• Manage the central programming team, setting objectives and giving clear direction so that the team can deliver against business goals.
• Oversee day-to-day operational delivery of the B2C and B2B programming teams.
• Recruit and manage our Forum Co-Chairs and Advisory Board relationships, chairing the meetings, managing the consultation process and written outputs.
• Liaise with Tortoise Media’s wider team of Editors and Reporters to ensure that we have a deep understanding of industry and public issues and produce programmes of the highest calibre for our individual, professional members and partners.
• Commission op-eds to provide our individual and professional members with unique industry insights and perspectives.
• Work closely with the Business Development teams to ensure fulfilment of commercial deliverables.

What do I know? Useful knowledge, skills and experience.

• At least 8 years’ experience in conference production, public affairs or corporate communications and a strong understanding of the B2B events industry.
• Instinctively creative – an ideas machine and a confident copywriter.
• Brilliant interpersonal skills and a black book to die for.
• Experience working in a creative environment with multiple teams balancing different priorities (commercial and delivery).
• Experience working closely with the most senior people across sectors, adept at gear-shifting between politics, business and the arts.
• Proactive – able to take an initial idea, and run with it.
• A sense of humour and a never-say-die attitude.
• Unflappable under pressure – work with tight turnaround time.

What do I show? Essential behaviours.

• Strong leadership skills which balance long term strategic goals with day-to-day operational delivery need.
• You will need to be highly organised and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines concurrently as well as working effectively as part of a busy cross-functional team.
• Intellectual curiosity.
• Confident communicator with excellent verbal and written skills.
• Excited about being in a high growth start-up environment and being able to think strategically whilst at the same time balance day to day practical needs and goals.
• A genuine personal interest in and sound knowledge of current affairs, the public discourse and popular culture.

Salary & benefits

• Competitive salary & bonus (team and individual)
• 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Bunk off birthday (because who wants to work on their birthday?)
• Company pension
• Private healthcare
• Group Life Assurance
• Snacks on tap and regular treats including free lunches, massages and after-work socials
• Tortoisestock – once a year we all head out to the countryside for a weekend of fun and plotting

Working with us

We are a new and progressive business with a diverse, motivated team; a mix of veterans and young people starting out on their careers. We are committed to equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for all our employees, and we welcome applicants regardless of ethnic origin, national origin, gender, race, colour, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or age.

How to apply

Send a CV and a short cover note to recruitment@tortoisemedia.com.