Audience Development Manager

About the Role 

We are looking for an experienced, commercially aware Audience Development Manager to join our UK and EMEA audience and events team. The main focus will be taking ownership of audience development for our VIP Germany events, initially across CRN / Channel audiences, with scope to support Computing Germany over time as that portfolio develops.

This is a more autonomous role suited to someone who already has experience in audience development, delegate acquisition, events, business development or a similar relationship-led environment. You will work closely with our German editorial, sales, marketing and operations teams, often leading conversations in German and representing the audience function. You will also support selected CRN / Channel events, wider Computing events and European programmes, including XChange EMEA.

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead audience development for VIP German events, taking ownership of research, sourcing, outreach, qualification, senior delegate engagement and attendance delivery across priority German audiences.

• Build and maintain a strong German-speaking audience network across the IT channel, including MSPs, VARs, system integrators, solution providers, vendors, advisory board members and senior end-user technology leaders where relevant.

• Lead German-language delegate conversations with confidence, explaining event themes, discussion topics, peer groups and the value of attending to senior technology and channel leaders. 

• Manage the German advisory board relationship, including communication, meeting preparation, follow-up, feedback capture and ensuring advisory input is shared with editorial, sales, marketing and event stakeholders.

• Assess delegate applications against event criteria, ensuring each audience is relevant, senior and aligned with the purpose of the event, whether channel-focused, end-user-focused or a curated VIP format.

• Support and, where appropriate, lead audience recruitment for selected CRN / Channel events, wider Computing events and European programmes such as XChange EMEA, working closely with internal teams to understand audience needs and event priorities.

• Act as a useful audience voice for the German market, sharing delegate feedback, market insight, topic appetite, audience challenges and relationship intelligence with editorial, sales, marketing and operations teams.

• Use a mature mix of phone, email, LinkedIn, referrals, desk research, advisory board relationships and in-person networking to develop the German and wider European audience network.

• Liaise with confirmed delegates to encourage attendance and participation, including calendar invites, bespoke emails, reminder calls and pre-event communications in German and English where appropriate.

• Maintain accurate records in event trackers and internal systems, including outreach, responses, registrations, confirmations and cancellations.

• Own clear reporting on audience progress, pipeline quality, registration status and attendance risks, ensuring internal stakeholders have timely visibility of event audience performance.

• Attend relevant local events in Germany, as well as selected UK and European events where required, networking with senior contacts, representing the brand professionally and helping to strengthen the German audience community.

• Work closely and independently with German editorial, sales, marketing, customer success and operations teams to support event delivery, improve audience quality and ensure German-language audience activity is aligned with wider business priorities.

What We’re Looking For 

• Fluent German and English language skills, with the confidence to communicate professionally with senior technology and channel contacts in both languages.
• This is a remote role, but candidates based near Munich are preferred, as the rest of the team is located there.

• Proven experience in audience development, delegate acquisition, event recruitment, business development, partnerships, sales, community management or a similar relationship-led role is required.

• A confident relationship-builder who can develop trust with senior IT, technology and channel professionals, manage senior conversations independently and represent The Channel Company in a professional, human and credible way.

• Commercially aware, curious and comfortable researching companies, job titles, technology themes, channel market trends and potential attendee communities across Germany, the UK and wider Europe.

• Organised, self-motivated and resilient, with the ability to manage multiple events, senior stakeholders and deadlines at the same time with limited day-to-day supervision.

• Comfortable working towards targets, tracking progress and taking ownership of results.

• Comfortable working with German-speaking internal teams and external stakeholders, including advisory board members, senior delegates, sponsors and local market contacts.

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook; experience with LinkedIn Sales Navigator, CRM systems or event platforms would be useful but is not essential.

• Willingness to travel for local German events and relevant UK or wider European events when needed.

What you can expect from us: 

As well as working with the most interesting, talented and fun people in media, we operate a culture where success is recognised. You will be supported throughout your career at The Channel Company, tailoring your development through management support, internal and external training courses, and on-the-job training. 

Our perks and benefits:

• 35 hours per week- Monday to Friday

• Opportunity to join a growing business with lots of opportunities to influence.

• Remote working

• International Temporary Remote Working

• Employee referral scheme

• A tailored training and induction plan - we want you to succeed!

• Regular recognition rewards - be recognized and rewarded for day-to-day actions where you go above and beyond, and consistently deliver

• Volunteering days

• The opportunity to work within a globally diverse team

• The opportunity to learn new skills in an ever-changing and adaptable business support line.