Employment Type: Fixed Term
Location: London
Work Site Type: Hybrid
Building a Brand Starts with a Story
FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency providing Content, Creative, Digital Technology, Management & Delivery, and Data & Insights services. Operating as a full-service agency partner or through embedding specialist talent into client teams, FIRST brings brands and people together through creative, connected experiences.
FIRST works with clients across 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 ours, 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.
- 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.
- Creative teams that enjoy challenging work with an ability to make an impact on those around them.
*THIS IS A 12 MONTH FIXED TERM CONTRACT POSITION*
The Senior Project Manager is part of the global Events & Experiences team within FIRST and will consistently deliver exceptional service to our clients through superior project management. This position is an integral part of our EMEA team and will be responsible for leading, managing and executing the coordination of various events.
What You Would Get To Do
- Manage, prioritise, and oversee execution of multiple key virtual, hybrid and in-person events globally
- Lead the full project lifecycle from creative concept and development through initial briefing, to planning, execution and reconciliation
- Maintain client relationship and ensure scope and agreements are monitored and achieved throughout the project planning process
- Lead clients on how best to deliver virtual, hybrid and in-person meetings, conferences, and events
- Manage the project team to ensure adherence to client and all FIRST standards and practices connected to successful project management
- Create and manage budgets for assigned events including invoice management, cashflow and timely budget reconciliation
- Create and closely monitor profitability at every opportunity, liasing with Project Accounting and Account Director
- Track and maintain project team time spent to projects to accurately reflect the work being done
- Manage venues, vendors, clients, project team members and project timelines within the assigned total budget
- Sourcing, negotiating, contracting and managing supplier selection, increasing profitability where possible
- Capture key intelligence to enable knowledge sharing, efficiency, and future improved performance
- Ensure continual improvement of our supplier base by seeking new event industry innovations, deepening of supplier and venue relationship
What We Are Looking For
- 8+ years experience into end–to-end event management (ideally corporate)
- Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent practical experience
- Proficient with G suite, Zoom and Microsoft Office Suite (including Outlook and Excel, Teams and SharePoint)
- Proficient in Excel Budget management and reconciliation
- Excellent presentation creation and formatting skills
- Familiarity with web-based event platforms
- Awareness of Technical Production and Creative Asset Management fulfilment preferred, not required
- Knowledge of venues and suppliers in key cities
- Cvent experience desirable
- SalesForce experience desirable
Education and Qualifications
- Proficient in English
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Good presentation skills
- Good attention to detail
- Ability to adapt, be flexible and collaborate with team members in a diplomatic manner
- Willing to travel to various locations for site-visits and on-site management of events
- Resourceful individual with the ability to take direction and work independently; be proactive with ideas and creative problem solving
- High organizational skill
- Hybrid role, in-office a minimum of 2 days a week
#LI-TS1
FIRST is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. FIRST is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We stand firm: FIRST will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. If any candidate feels that they are unable to meet the requirements of the role, please get in touch to discuss adjustments or other suitable roles.