Jim Hughes
Sunbury on Thames
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in team leadership, collaboration, and mentoring. Proven track record in talent development, business development, and sales, driving significant growth and client partnership success. Adept at relationship management and strategic event management, with a strong background in project management and event technology software development. Passionate about digital innovation and leveraging AI for events to enhance client experiences.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
SENIOR DIRECTOR - DIGITAL PRODUCTS
Encore
London
01.2023 - 12.2024
- Global Product Leadership: Oversaw the strategic direction and execution of digital product initiatives across the US, EMEA, and APAC regions
- Team Management: Led and mentored a team of 22+ software development professionals
- Product Innovation: Collaborated across multidisciplinary product teams to develop, launch, and maintain digital solutions; and launched an innovative AI-powered product suite in 2024
- Revenue Generation: Spearheaded revenue growth initiatives, achieving $10 million in direct digital product revenue and a total of $78 million in digital-enabled revenue
- Revenue Growth: Consistently delivered 15% year-over-year revenue growth in 2023 and 2024
- Client Acquisition: Supported major global accounts, MSA renewals & strategic partnerships
- Operational Excellence: Reengineered project management and delivery processes to scale operations and improve effectiveness and reducing costs
- Product Innovation: Successfully launched groundbreaking products, including AI-powered solutions
- Client Satisfaction: Consistently achieved high levels of client satisfaction with product delivery, reflected in Net Promoter Scores averaging 9.5 and OSAT scores exceeding 92 for project delivery
- Effective Team Builder: Built and led a high-performing team, fostering collaboration, motivation, and professional development to deliver world class events
- Creative Collaborator: Successfully bridged sales, operations and delivery teams, collaborating with multidisciplinary specialists to delivery projects on time and on budget, and delight customers
- Strategic Visionary: Demonstrated a strong ability to conceptualize and execute client briefs, met project objectives, solved problems, and aligned with the overall business strategy
- Innovative Leader: Cultivated a culture of innovation and experimentation, drove the development of cutting-edge digital solutions, and built teams with the talent to operate at the highest levels
- Results-Oriented: Consistently delivered products targeted for revenue growth, tracked revenues, maintained forecasts and budgeting to ensure profitability, and recommended course-corrections
- Recruited and trained department staff to boost employees productivity.
- Devised corporate policies for improved operational efficiency.
- Drove business transformation projects for better customer satisfaction.
- Guaranteed compliance with industry regulations by implementing stringent checks and balances.
- Facilitated cross-departmental collaborations resulting in stronger teamwork.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives and selling techniques.
- Cultivated strong industry rapport, networking with thought leaders and key regional touchpoints to build exceptional partnerships.
- Designed and implemented training to further develop staff based on business goals.
- Developed empowering employee culture focused on equipping staff to independently meet customer needs.
- Increased customer retention rates by overseeing exceptional customer service standards.
- Fostered a positive work environment by promoting open communication.
- Handled negotiations with outside vendors and service agencies to meet group needs.
- Implemented actions from staff and customer feedback to improve service.
GENERAL MANAGER
Concise Ltd
01.2019 - 12.2022
- Operational Leadership: Managed the day-to-day operations, including sales, project management, production and delivery
- Team Management: Led and mentored a UK team of 44, fostering a high-performance culture, with low churn, and consistent delivery quality
- Collaborating with extended teams in US, EMEA & APAC
- Strategic Planning: Developed and execute strategic plans to drive growth and profitability
- Client Relationship Management: Built and maintained strong relationships with key clients & partners
- Financial Performance: Managed the P&L with a $4m budget, revenue forecasting and reporting ensuring financial targets were met
- Revenue Growth: Achieved a 15% YoY increase through strategic initiatives and leadership
- Operational Efficiency: Implement process improvements and streamlined operations, reducing labour and delivery costs by 10%
- Successful Pivot: Successfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, pivoting the business to virtual events and streaming technologies - and back again
- Team Development: Developed and implemented a comprehensive talent development program, resulting in increased employee engagement and retention
- Client Satisfaction: Maintained high levels of client satisfaction, with a Net Promoter Score of 9.3
- Results-Oriented Leader: Proven track record of delivering results and exceeding expectations
- Client-Centric Approach: Strong focus on building long-term relationships with clients and understanding their needs
- Adaptability and Resilience: Ability to adapt to changing market conditions and overcome challenges
- Effective Team Leadership: Motivated and developed teams inspired delivery exceptional results
- Financial Acumen: Commercialised products, maximized profitability, managed forecasts, and consistently met financial objectives
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Concise Ltd
06.2014 - 01.2019
- Sales Leadership: Led and motivated sales teams in UK, US and APAC to achieve $8M revenue targets
- Business Development: Delivered strategies that identified and actively pursued new business opportunities, resulting in an expanded client base and increased market share
- Client Relationship Management: Built and maintained strong relationships with key clients
- Revenue Growth: Consistently exceeded sales targets, driving significant revenue growth
- Client Acquisition: Successfully acquired and onboarded new clients
- Customer Satisfaction: Delivered exceptional customer service and maintained high levels of client satisfaction and trust
- Team Development: Developed and mentored high-performing sales teams
- Proven Sales Leader: Demonstrated strong leadership and sales skills
- Results-Oriented: Consistently achieved sales targets and exceeded expectations
- Customer-Focused: Prioritized client needs and built long-lasting relationships
- Effective Team Builder: Motivated and developed teams to achieve high performance
Business Development Director
EventPad (Now Duuzra)
09.2012 - 05.2014
Account Director
Crystal Interactive Engagement Solutions
06.2008 - 09.2012
Sales Director
KEEpad Audience Response Systems
02.2006 - 06.2008
Event Manager
Q2Q Event Management Agency
09.1996 - 02.2006
Education
BSc (Joint Honours) - Business Studies & Sport Sciences
Brunel University
09.1993 - 07.1996
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Collaboration
- Mentoring
- Talent Development
- Business Development
- Sales
- Client Partnership
- Relationship Management
- Strategic event management
- Project management
- Event technology software development
- Digital innovation
- AI for Events
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Additional Information
Lifetime Apple User., Specialist in Event Technology., Familiar with Event Registration solutions including Cvent.
Affiliations
- Rowing at Twickenham Rowing Club
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
SENIOR DIRECTOR - DIGITAL PRODUCTS
Encore
01.2023 - 12.2024
GENERAL MANAGER
Concise Ltd
01.2019 - 12.2022
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Concise Ltd
06.2014 - 01.2019
Business Development Director
EventPad (Now Duuzra)
09.2012 - 05.2014
Account Director
Crystal Interactive Engagement Solutions
06.2008 - 09.2012
Sales Director
KEEpad Audience Response Systems
02.2006 - 06.2008
Event Manager
Q2Q Event Management Agency
09.1996 - 02.2006
BSc (Joint Honours) - Business Studies & Sport Sciences
Brunel University
09.1993 - 07.1996
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