The Opportunity
A senior leadership role at the heart of what makes AIME work. The hosted buyer programme is the engine of AIME's curated meetings model. The quality of the buyers in the room is what delivers genuine business outcomes for exhibitors and keeps AIME ahead of a growing field of competing events. This is the role that owns that.
As Buyer Engagement Director, you will set the recruitment strategy, build the pipeline, lead the team, and bring your personal industry network and credibility to attract the region's most influential event planners to AIME each year. You will work across the corporate, incentives, associations, and PCO sectors, represent AIME domestically and internationally, and report directly to the Event Director.
* Own and drive the hosted buyer strategy for one of Asia‐Pacific's most recognised business events
* Lead a team of two and set the direction, standards, and culture of the hosted buyer function
* Leverage your existing industry network to attract senior, high‐quality buyers from across the MICE sector
* Represent AIME at industry events and partner meetings, domestically and internationally
* Work from home flexibility plus the benefits of our St Kilda Rd office
The Company & Our Values
AIME is Asia‐Pacific's premier qualified business events forum, held each February at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Owned by Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and operated by Talk2 Media & Events, AIME connects pre‐qualified hosted buyers with exhibitors from around the world through a curated, appointment‐based meeting format that prioritises quality over quantity. With 760 exhibitors (38% international), 700 hosted buyers, and approximately 5,000 attendees, AIME is a significant and growing platform.
AIME is produced by Talk2 Media & Events (Talk2 ME), a bespoke trade event company based in Melbourne. We create and organise innovative, premium trade events that bring communities together face‐to‐face. Our culture is guided by six core values: Free, Fun, Flexible, Family, Fulfilment and Fire.
* Flexibility to work from home
* Company laptop and mobile phone contribution
* Additional time in lieu for event weekends worked
* Domestic and international travel opportunities
* Free monthly breakfast and excellent end‐of‐trip facilities
* Regular networking events and team activities
* Great team environment in a premium St Kilda Rd office
The Role
Reporting to the Event Director, the Buyer Engagement Director is a newly created senior position with full ownership of AIME's hosted buyer function. You will develop and execute the recruitment strategy, manage the team, and be the senior face of AIME's buyer programme in the market. This is both a strategic and relationship‐driven role. You will set direction, and you will also do the work.
* Develop and own the hosted buyer recruitment strategy, aligned to AIME's commercial and event objectives
* Identify growth opportunities across buyer verticals to protect and grow volume and quality in a more competitive market
* Monitor competitor activity and shifts in the buyer landscape, adapting plans accordingly
* Set and report on annual KPIs for recruitment, quality, and retention
* Contribute to AIME's broader strategic direction as part of the senior leadership team
Buyer Recruitment & Relationships
* Lead recruitment across corporate, incentives, associations, and Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) verticals
* Draw on your personal network and industry standing to attract senior, commercially valuable buyers
* Manage and grow the hosted buyer database in Salesforce, maintaining data integrity and pipeline depth
* Develop and refine the invitation and application process for consistent, high‐quality buyer flow throughout the year
* Work with the marketing team to align collateral, EDMs, and digital campaigns with recruitment goals
* Manage the telemarketing function to support pipeline generation
* Develop and manage strategic initiatives to grow the buyer pool across all sectors and levels of seniority
* Partner with hotel accommodation partners and intermediaries to extend reach
* Engage with industry bodies and associations as a credible AIME representative
Buyer Qualification & Standards
* Own and continuously refine the criteria by which buyers are assessed and approved
* Oversee vetting of domestic and international applications to maintain programme quality
* Oversee reference checks for international buyers, with attention to cross‐border event delivery experience
* Oversee the end‐to‐end programme timeline and ensure all milestones are met
* Manage post‐acceptance administration: terms and conditions, flights, visa support, and accommodation
* Oversee pre‐ and post‐AIME family programme for international buyers
* Liaise with MCB on the Uncover Melbourne programme
* Oversee buyer IT platform requirements including applications and meeting matching
* Draft and administer the post‐event buyer survey and contribute to MCB reporting
* Lead, mentor, and develop a team of two hosted buyer professionals
* Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and conduct formal performance reviews
* Foster a high‐performance, collaborative team culture
External Representation
* Represent AIME with authority at industry events and partner meetings, domestically and internationally
* Build and maintain senior relationships with key stakeholders and associations
* Act as a brand ambassador for AIME, promoting its curated, quality‐first positioning to the buyer community
What You'll Bring
* Minimum 5–8 years' experience in the business events (MICE) industry, with demonstrable seniority
* A well‐regarded profile within the Asia‐Pacific business events community and strong existing networks across corporate, incentives, associations, and PCO sectors
* Proven track record in buyer recruitment, senior business development, or stakeholder engagement within the MICE, Hotel or events industry
* Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams
* Commercially minded, with a clear understanding of how buyer quality and volume drive event and exhibitor outcomes
* Experience with CRM platforms (HubSpot preferred) and event registration or management systems
* Willing and able to undertake domestic and international travel
* Flexible to work across event periods, including some out‐of‐hours requirements
* Tertiary qualifications in business, events management, communications, or a related discipline
* Experience working with or alongside Melbourne Convention Bureau or similar destination organisations
* Familiarity with appointment‐based or curated meeting formats
Personal Attributes
* A connector, you are known in this industry and people take your calls
* Strategic and decisive, you can set a direction and bring the team with you
* Relationship‐first, but commercially sharp, you understand that great relationships drive great results
* Calm under pressure and adaptable when priorities shift
* Proactive and self‐motivated; you follow through without needing to be chased
* Genuinely invested in AIME's quality‐first, curated positioning and what it means for the industry
Why This Role
AIME is a well‐established event entering an ambitious next chapter expanding selectively into new international markets and deepening its reputation as Asia‐Pacific's premier curated business events forum. The hosted buyer programme is central to everything that makes AIME work, and this is the role that leads it.
\"You'll have genuine strategic ownership, a respected team and Event Director to work alongside, and the satisfaction of seeing your work come to life on the show floor each February.\" If you're a senior MICE professional who is ready to lead, and who wants to shape the future of one of the region's most recognised events, this is the role for you.
How to Apply
If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you. Please apply with a cover letter detailing why this role appeals to you and how your experience and network align with what we're looking for, along with your CV.
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