Who are we?
No longer a ‘start up’, Kisaco Research is proud after five years of phenomenal growth to be a ‘stay up’ conference business. Five years ago we could see new markets emerging and old ones being disrupted. An opportunity for us to respond quickly, creating conferences for these new networks of scientists, venture capitalists and business executives to meet and inspire each other to act.
We are a business where, after reading an article in the business or consumer press, a small team working at pace and with ambition can take an abstract concept and turn it into a well-researched conference programme. We then host that meeting, six months later, anywhere from London, Sao Paulo, Tokyo and New York to Hong Kong and Silicon Valley. It’s exciting and exacting!
Kisaco is not a place for the faint hearted, we welcome both new grads with high IQ’s, grit and determination that we can develop and help learn quickly, as well as those with deeper business experience. We operate under tight deadlines and at pressure and not for everyone, but you will learn and develop quicker than in any other industry. And if you can handle that, you’ll thrive here and enjoy the smart ambitious people you’ll work alongside.
We hire people who want to make a mark, who see an opportunity and aren’t afraid to run with it. Our people are creative thinkers, problem solvers, effective communicators, relationship builders and commercially astute, but above all are team players who can roll their sleeves up and get stuck in from day 1. We strongly believe in giving responsibility early on in your career and know that a huge part of our success comes from this strategy, to keep the best people we support them in building their own ‘businesses within our business’. The sheer satisfaction of creating a meeting where people’s lives and careers can be changed for the better is going to be demanding but never stops feeling worthwhile.
Key Roles
We do not currently have any open vacancies, however we are always keen to receive speculative applications. Please send your CV and covering letter to [email protected].
Our culture
The Kisaco culture is unique; warm, supportive, enthusiastic and fun. We work hard, but we also plan regular social and fundraising events, as well as Christmas and summer parties. Some people say their workplace is like a family, we’re not (who wants to work with their family?) but we would agree with analogy of a high performing sports team – rugby, athletics, football, whatever rocks your world; individually we work hard and are at the top of our game, but we come together as a team to deliver some truly market leading events across a whole host of industries worldwide.
We also pride ourselves on how we promote diversity, gender equality and inclusion. We have employees from all over the world (19 languages at last count) and truly believe that this contributes to making Kisaco a great place to be as we all bring something unique to what we offer to our clients. Kisaco’s Culture Day is becoming one of our favourite calendar events, last year we went on a culinary adventure from Puerto Rico, to Africa, Spain, Scotland and France. We then walked that off on a 26 mile hike along the Thames in June in support of Macmillan Cancer, more fun than it sounds.
We subscribe to the Chief Talent Officer at Netflix’s approach…
‘The best thing you can do for employees — a perk better than foosball or free sushi — is hire only “A” players to work alongside them. Excellent colleagues trump everything else’.
Meet the Team
Kathryn Beaumont
Sarah Clayton
Guy Clayton
Rhian Collinson
Ben Edwards
Jess Spiandore
Stephanie Wright
Karen Owen
What do we offer you?
Financially, we are committed to paying competitive salaries with generous commission schemes to reward the hard work you put in. We also actively promote a healthy work life balance with flexible working patterns this year, last year we added an extra 16 days holiday to the mix. Some employees work US hours to meet our client’s needs, some work school hours to meet their family needs, but more than that, we reward you with an opportunity to fast track your career.
We strongly believe in giving responsibility early on in your career and know that a huge part of our success comes from this strategy, to keep the best people we know we need to keep it challenging and reward the hard work.
With our focus on training and development from day 1, there’s no limit to where your career with Kisaco can take you. Where else can you learn the ins and outs of a successful conference business, master the art of prioritising and juggling a number of projects, learn from some truly inspirational people, build relationships at the most senior level within industry, and all within your first year.
We host twice-yearly company events, an extended chance to have fun, find out more about current company strategy and really recognise and reward our colleagues for great work. We have an active social and fundraising calendar, dress down Fridays, regular wellness activities and an openness to your ideas.
Profiles
In 2017, I joined Kisaco Research as a Marketing Manager with 5+ years’ experience. At the time there were only four of us in the team and circa 25 people in the company. Back then, I’d never imagined how quick I’d see the team and the company grow and I’m enjoying being a part of this journey.
Joining a start-up environment was a first for me, and I’ve been given the opportunity to have a big impact and in turn, climb the career ladder. I’m proud to have recruited and established a high performing marketing team, which will be up to 14 by the end of 2020, and it doesn’t stop there. Being in a fast-paced, pressured environment has pushed me to do more and step into a leadership position, something I didn’t think would be possible in such a short space of time.
Managing Director, Sarah Clayton and Chief Strategy Officer, Guy Clayton saw something in me early on and have encouraged me to take on more responsibility, which is what has enabled me to grow both professionally and personally into Kisaco’s Head of Marketing. I’m a big believer in leading by example, so whilst growing the team I’ve also launched some of our most successful events, including AI Hardware Summit and our Skin Microbiome Series – which is always great fun, seeing something really work and the reason I got into marketing in the first place!
I’ve never worked somewhere where everyone is so invested in their own and the company’s success and this ambition is contagious. We’re all so dedicated and it’s fair to say we work hard, play hard, with regular socials, drinks, Summer and Christmas parties, book club, football club and so on!
I’m proud to say my team are super-friendly and very much form a key part of the culture here and Kisaco’s commercial success so far, and I can’t imagine any one of them not being here. You have to take hold of every opportunity and run with it, it’s truly an environment you can thrive in.
If I could sum up my experience so far, I’d say it’s been ambitious and demanding but so rewarding!
When I first joined Kisaco I was genuinely surprised at how diverse the team was, the people here are from all walks of life. This is such a fun, high energy, place to work and there are many opportunities for those who get up and take them. We work across project teams meaning we constantly change and interact who we’re working with which keeps life interesting!
I started as a Marketing Manager working on predominantly life science events despite having no experience in them, I can now hold a conversation about immuno-oncological cell therapies which I genuinely did not expect to happen! We launch so many events that the opportunity to work across different portfolios and in different industries is limitless. After a year of working here I was promoted to Senior Marketing Manager which comes with a whole new set of skills to be learned, challenges and responsibilities.
As self-appointed Chief Social Officer, people at Kisaco are always looking for ways to inject some fun into the workplace. We’ve had epic Summer and Christmas parties, drinks most Fridays, KFC (Kisaco Football Club), Yoga, book club, wellness week – we even have an upcoming salsa night! Most of these things are born from someone seizing an idea and running with it – which is a definite theme to working at Kisaco. No one is scared of innovation or seeing through an idea, even if it doesn’t go fully to plan.
If I had to summarise Kisaco, I’d say: work hard, play hard.
My journey with Kisaco Research began in 2018 as a Delegate Acquisition Executive. With a life sciences background, this sales position was an ideal role to combine my knowledge with new selling techniques, to demonstrate my understanding and an opportunity to generate revenue.
I successfully passed my probation with training and the support of my peers and managers. This wasn’t a simple period as it required mental strength and hard work. Very quickly I progressed to become a team leader as I took the responsibility of collating weekly reports and illustrating leadership skills to my peers. As a result I was given a clear career path to becoming a Sales Manager that was supported with internal and external management training.
I have never come across as unique a culture to operate in - one which uplifts your mood during those difficult days. The people you work with really have an impact on you My colleagues know how to have a good laugh as well as how to work hard. We have a healthy competitiveness as we all want to be the best seller, to be rewarded and recognised with weekly/monthly incentives.
Our company is growing at such a rapid pace and I’m proud to be a part of it. It provides me with an extra motivation knowing I’m part of the growth of connecting thousands across the globe who attend our events!
Exciting times lie ahead as I look forward to discovering new opportunities and challenges as I continue to grow here at Kisaco Research.
I’m a psychology graduate with a keen interest in tech and I work at Kisaco Research as a conference producer. I joined the team about 6 months ago and it has been a whirlwind ever since! I’ve produced two events in the AI & Tech portfolio and I am in the middle of producing the AI Hardware Summit US, which is the portfolio’s flagship event. It’s a very exciting opportunity, producing such a large event for my third project, as well as a lot of responsibility. At Kisaco you are given the opportunity to take on large projects at very early stages if you demonstrate that you are dedicated and passionate about the success of your events.
In the short time that I have been working as a conference producer I have experienced great highs where an event is successful in the market, but also some challenging days where you have to take each problem one at a time and work to resolve them with your team. It’s really great to work as part of a team in this role. It gives you the chance to bounce ideas off teammates and validate your ideas. Every member of the team has a common goal, and everyone’s input is important to the success of the events. Kiasco has a very vibrant and chatty atmosphere, so you mix with everyone across teams and divisions.
I joined Kisaco last year in search of a smaller company atmosphere and a new challenge in a new section of the event industry. Within a month I was really pleased with the move I had made. I found the company to be such an open and progressive environment where ideas were shared across the teams and departments.
In Operations, our role can range from coordinating AV and signage briefs to deciding on event lunch menus. We liaise heavily with the venues to decide on the room set up and onsite logistics. No day is ever the same which means we need to be prepared for anything!
One of my main reasons for taking the role was the travel side to the job. Since starting I have been lucky enough to have travelled to Brussels, Frankfurt, Mountain View - California and Austin - Texas. I always make the most of my free times in the evening to get out and see the local sites and eat the local cuisines.
Kisaco is a very welcoming, passionate company to work for. It is great to be part of a growing at such speed and working on such varied successful events.
I started at Kisaco three years ago after completing an MA in history. Having had no prior experience in commercial partnerships I found the first few weeks a little daunting, but the collegial spirit and breadth of experience here means there’s always someone to turn to. Working in such a fast-paced, high-growth environment has its challenges, yet overall makes Kisaco both a dynamic and exciting place to build a career. Over the last few years I’ve learnt there’s no set prescription – people move into different roles fluidly and creativity flourishes; new ideas are met with enthusiasm and good work is rewarded accordingly. Being at the very forefront of innovation across various sectors means no two days are ever the same, and we get to be real agents of change in a rapidly evolving world.
I’ve been working at Kisaco for 4 months now and already feel that I have been here for years. Though only a short amount of time I feel very integrated into the business, working with people in all teams and at all levels.
Kisaco has a very fast paced environment which means every day is different and there are always new problems to solve. Kisaco are also very big on creating business minded individuals, since being here I have attended multiple talks from external people about how to better yourself in the work environment, mentally and financially!
I look forward to learning more at Kisaco in the future.
When I first started at Kisaco Research I didn’t have any corporate experience and was really worried that I wont be able to fit in and understand the role. First week into Kisaco I was met with kindness and understanding which allowed for a comfortable training week and got rid of all the nerves and doubts I had as I quickly saw that I will receive a lot of support from each department to make sure I can do my day to day tasks. Got up and running in a month and my manager at the time didn’t just let me get on with it but thoughtout my probation period, I was guided and given constructive feedback helped me go from 10k months to 30k months +.
We have a great internal promotion process which allowed me to get promoted from Senior – Junior – Team leader – Manager in less than 2 years. For anyone who’s looking for progression, responsibility and a career path that’s mapped out with realistic goals for ambitious individuals. This is the place to be. Great culture and a DS Team that have an ideology that if 1 fails we all fail and it really shows, the way everyone is always helping each other is amazing, especially for new starters.