Project Manager (Events & Experiences)

Building A Brand Starts With Our Story

FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency serving clients in various industries, including financial services, technology, new & traditional media, aerospace, healthcare, and professional services. FIRST has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the Top 150 Event Organizers & Agencies in the USA by Eventex, being listed among the "200 Top Marketing Agencies" in 2023, 2022 & 2021 by Chief Marketer, being recognized as one of the "50 Top Event Companies" by Special Events, being included in the Top 100 "Best Places to Work in NYC" by Crain's New York Business, and being listed as one of the "1000 Companies to Inspire Britain" by The London Stock Exchange Group. 

FIRST also understands that businesses worldwide, including us, need to adopt more sustainable and socially responsible practices. Our vision of sustainability at FIRST is about fostering a People centric, Purpose driven & Planet conscious culture.

Learn more at www.firstagency.com

Our story started over 25 years ago growing through collaboration, innovation, strong culture, and a focus on people, specifically our people. Our people inspired, developed, and grew FIRST to the incredible brand experience creator it is today. 

And our hope is that you become the next page of our story in developing how our agency connects more people beyond what they thought was possible.

A welcoming, creative and ambitious workplace that offers personal and professional growth for all individuals. At FIRST, you'll find:

• A welcoming workplace that fosters diversity and belonging with a focus on team members feeling valued, respected, and supported. 
• Creative teams that enjoy challenging work with an ability to make an impact on those around them.
• An experiential organization that cares about the development and career experience of each employee, focusing on excellence and flexibility with the right balance of structure to thrive.

Location: Newport Beach, CA (In Office Requirement)

What You Would Get To Do:

In this capacity, the ideal candidate would represent the FIRST brand embedded within a Solutions account for a financial services company. FIRST Solutions is the proprietary strategic meetings management model offered by FIRST, which embeds specialist talent into organizations to provide Content, Creative, Digital Technology, Management & Delivery, and Data & Insights. The Project Manager will consistently deliver exceptional service to our high-touch clients through excellent project management and creative solutions. This position will support virtual, in-person and hybrid domestic events which include but are not limited to; internal programs, client-facing events including conferences, hospitality, thought leadership, sporting, and cultural programs. 

Your Contributions 

• Full life-cycle planning and execution of multiple key events in a digital/virtual capacity, and in-person
• Event planning and project management including creation of timelines, invitation process, thorough and regular communications to attendees, suppliers and stakeholders
• Financial management, including: budget development and management, expense management and invoice processing, timely post-meeting reconciliation and final financial reporting 
• Sourcing, negotiating and managing site selections, contract management for venues and suppliers
• Coordinate registration, transportation, hotel accommodations, entertainment, gift selection, audio/visual needs, webcasts, staging and speaker selection for all programs; strong focus on vendor management
• Work with the team to ensure adherence to the client’s standards of operation and policies; ensure compliance and risk guidelines are followed
• Travel (when applicable, no more than 20% annually) for site inspections and on-site management of live events to ensure full coordination of logistics and on-site teams for in-person events
• Post event wrap up including final attendees, budget reconciliation, observations, as well as client debriefs for year over year improvements
• Co-plan with colleagues and the client on larger scale programs; strong team player
• Create and closely monitor value adds at every opportunity and demonstrate commercial awareness
• Share knowledge of best practices, new suppliers, services and venues
• Deepen relations with existing clients and maximize on all opportunities to generate new business

What We Are Looking For

Please be aware that we know experience does not always look like we describe it. If you believe you would be an excellent fit for this role, please apply - we would love to see how you could fit at First. 

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent practical experience
• 5-7 years Event Management experience required, in a corporate or financial services environment preferred 
• • Advanced experience of events, conferences, meeting and production management, including but not limited to C-level executive events, cocktail receptions and dinners, meetings and multi-day events
  • Extensive experience in working with and managing senior clients 
  • Advanced project management skills, including: budget creation, management and reconciliation
• Motivated, self-starter, ability to work independently and project plan; ability to think innovatively
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously; proven ability to work well under pressure to meet established deadlines
• Proven ability to mentor team members, development operations, organizational systems and processes 
• Proven ability to think innovatively to bring events/programs to fruition
• Resourceful individual with the ability to take direction and work independently; be proactive with ideas and creative solutions
• Customer focus, approachable; ability to adjust to client needs and style and deepen relationships in support of their programs; adapt to ever changing demands and different client work styles
• Strong client management skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ambitious, proactive and highly organized
• Willing to travel to various locations for site-visits and on-site management of events
• Experience working with large and complex databases, Cvent experience preferred
• Proficient with Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of venues and suppliers in key US cities 
• Mentor team members or manage a team, which may include up to 3 direct reports. Management responsibilities, if applicable include:
  • Managing vacation schedules for direct reports ensuring coverage for the client at all times including providing coverage when team members are out of the office on vacation or for an event
  • Oversee workload of the team ensuring day to day understanding of capacity/pressure points
  • Management of personal development reviews for direct reports
  • Lead and motivate direct reports, encouraging a productive and positive atmosphere

ADMINISTRATION & GENERAL

• Work intelligently and ensure that the Operations Manager is aware of problems or issues which negatively affect productivity
• Strict and accurate adherence to company’s time tracking policies and systems
• Ensure knowledge is shared within the team through positive communications
• Flexible and willing to work long hours (evenings, weekends) and travel 
• Work on ad hoc requests from clients as required
• Assume responsibility for own environment, ensuring adherence to health and safety policies while having clean smart surroundings

United States Residents: The base pay for this position ranges from $70,000 to $100,000. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

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