Overview

AIJA, the International Association of Young Lawyers, is the only global association devoted to lawyers and in-house counsel 45 and under. Since 1962 AIJA provides international opportunities for young lawyers to network, learn and develop. AIJA currently has a community of over 6,000 people in 100+ countries. The AIJA community includes members from law firms of all sizes and cultures, as well as in-house counsel, in both the private and public sectors. AIJA activities are coordinated by 18 academic commissions, which organise events around the globe and keep members up to date in their areas of practice. AIJA is committed to defending and promoting core legal principles such as the rule of law and human rights, and to advancing cross-cultural understanding among members and others in the legal profession.

Location: Brussels, BE (Hybrid) or Global (Remote)

Start Date: ASAP

Application Deadline: October 31, 2025

Timezone: Central European Time (UTC+01:00) typically; UK/CEST preferred as noted.

Job Summary

The International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA) is seeking a dedicated and experienced Events Manager to lead the planning and execution of AIJA’s main flagship event, the Annual Congress, and to develop, implement, and maintain an event project management system to optimize standardization and operational efficiency across the events team. There is scope to plan and execute smaller events and seminars (e.g., Annual Regional Meetings) as capacity allows. The Annual Congress typically gathers 500 to 1,000 attendees and is a core component of AIJA’s mission to provide valuable experiences for members. The Events Manager will be the principal point of contact for this high-profile event, collaborating with the Organising Committee, the Bureau, and the AIJA Team. The role is an individual contributor position, responsible for end-to-end planning and execution, and for leading the development of project management standardization to improve efficiency. The role reports to the Managing Director and provides regular updates to the AIJA Bureau on event progress.

You will become part of a talented Events Team and will maintain a high standard for AIJA events through rigorous organisation and effective communication.

Key Responsibilities

1. 1. Annual Congress – Conceptualisation and Project Management
   • Conceptualise and implement event ideas that align with the association’s mission and goals.
   • Lead the diverse teams involved in all aspects of event planning, providing clear direction and guidance.
   • Develop and manage event budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and strict cost control.
   • Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and partners (e.g., convention bureaus) to enhance outcomes.
   • Stay updated on latest event industry trends and position AIJA at the forefront of these trends.
2. 2. Annual Congress – Overall Coordination
   • Organise onsite visits prior to the events and secure/contract suitable venues (hotels, social programmes, etc.).
   • Identify and liaise with vendors (hotels, AV, catering, meeting support materials, DMCs) and provide them with meeting specs.
   • Negotiate contracts with events vendors, particularly hotels and DMCs.
   • Develop and monitor event budgets and drive sustainability initiatives and practices.
   • Coordinate and manage programme details including meeting room setup, AV, registration, hospitality, food functions, onsite team, and transportation.
   • Collaborate with the Community Manager to oversee Academic Coordinators (content, speaker coordination, schedule management).
   • Guide and supervise technical teams with AV setup and the event mobile app.
   • Work with the Community Manager on event-related marketing and communication efforts.
   • Engage with AIJA entities (e.g., SCILL Commission, Sustainability Board) as appropriate.
   • Collaborate with the Organising Committee on fundraising and sponsorship preparation, and manage confirmed sponsors.
   • Organise onsite AIJA internal meetings for commissions and leadership; ensure quality control in all events.
   • Lead team briefings, delegate tasks, and manage timelines for event execution; manage post-event tasks and feedback processes; handle VAT-related matters in budgeting.
3. 3. Event Planning, Project Management, and Operational Efficiency
   • Develop systems and templates for detailed project plans, timelines, and workflows across all events.
   • Collaborate with other event managers to create project management collateral for different event types.
   • Streamline workflows and standardize reporting across the event team.
   • Monitor masterplans and adjust plans to meet changing needs and constraints.
   • Implement tools to improve timeline reporting, scheduling, vendor management, reporting, and document sharing.
   • Identify and resolve operational bottlenecks to enhance delivery.
   • Analyze event surveys and post-event evaluations to identify areas for improvement.
   • Work with the events team to produce best practices, SOPs, and event playbooks.
4. 4. Other AIJA Events and Qualifications
   • Organise three to five additional events including year-end dinner, Annual Regional Meetings, retreats, and seminars.
   • Minimum 8+ years of experience in event management with a track record of large-scale events.
   • Self-starter with a positive attitude, able to work in multicultural, multistakeholder environments.
   • Strong project management skills and experience implementing project management systems.
   • Experience with project management tools (e.g., Monday.com) or advanced spreadsheet proficiency.
   • Excellent organisational, multitasking, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
   • Highly detail-oriented with a focus on efficiency and time management.
   • Fluency in English (written and spoken) required; additional languages are an advantage.
   • Willingness to undertake international travel as required.
   • Team player with a growth mindset; adaptable to change and able to manage competing demands.
   • Identifies and resolves problems promptly by gathering and analysing information.

Details

Contract type: Full-time, long-term commitment with an attractive compensation package.

Work arrangement: Hybrid or remote work.

Location: Brussels, BE (Hybrid) or Global (Remote)

Start Date: ASAP

Application Deadline: October 31, 2025

EEO/Eligibility: Access to professional development opportunities; an inspiring and evolving work environment; innovation-focused culture.

Application Process

Enthusiastic candidates should submit their CV, cover letter, and event portfolio to jobs@aija.org by October 31, 2025. Please note that only applicants selected for interview will be contacted.

Join AIJA: Be a part of a team that’s driving innovation and excellence in the legal world.