Team Lead & Corporate Event Planner

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: New York, NY (Hybrid) Must reside in the tri state area to be able to go into office 4 days a week, subject to change.

What You Would Get To Do

The Team Lead is responsible for collaborating with FIRST Leadership to understand the strategic approach to the client account, while providing on-the-ground insight into the client business and potential opportunities. This role will manage several company and client initiatives at a time, supporting C-level and senior stakeholders and will also be responsible for key business relationships and team management. This role will be a key contributor in  Event Delivery, oversight of the team, and direct liaison with department leadership to support business needs. 

Your Contributions 

Team Management

• Collaborate with the Team Manager understand the strategic approach to the client account, providing on-the-ground insight into the client business and opportunities, while offering input on key challenges and driving the business with a strong understanding of the larger organizational picture
• Mentor and develop 5-12 direct reports, conducting performance development conversations and managing the process
• Oversee the team's workload, ensuring a clear understanding of capacity and pressure points through regular 1:1 meetings. Field questions and offer advice to team members to assist with creative problem solving and knowledge sharing. Manage vacation schedules.
• Ensure the team maintains strong, positive relationships with clients
• Collaborate with the Team Manager to ensure development opportunities, effective business coverage, and continuity, including succession planning.
• FIRST ambassador; participate and engage with FIRST initiatives and extracurricular where possible
• Lead and motivate the team to work efficiently, fostering positive communication and an open, inclusive environment that ensures good team morale.
• Liaise with the Team Manager and P&C team on talent development and recruitment for open direct report roles, while overseeing the onboarding and offboarding processes. 
• Active training and development of the FIRST team.  Encourage direct reports to be knowledgeable of best practices, new suppliers, services, and venues and to be proactive with ideas and creative solutions.
• Liaise with stakeholders to refine workstreams for efficiency, meet evolving business requirements, and proactively assist with ad hoc projects, troubleshooting problems and optimizing workflows, particularly during periods of change
• Refine and drive best practice; ensure team adheres to firm’s SOP and compliance requirements
• Manage up; raise and escalate potential concerns and successes to management on a regular reporting basis

Project Management

• End to end project management / event delivery  of assigned events
• Work seamlessly with key internal partners and stakeholders on event deliverables and to understand and drive event objectives forward; consistently maintain excellent client relations even in challenging situations
• Travel for on-site management when necessary

 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. Please contact recruiting@firstagency.com if you need accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. 

• 8-10+ years’ event coordination experience, in a corporate or financial services environment
• Bachelor's degree preferred
• People management experience
• Advanced experience of events and conferences including but not limited to C-level executive events, cocktail receptions and meetings and conferences 
• Experience with venue sourcing including extensive knowledge in  contracting, negotiation and commission collection may be required
• Experience with event and registration technology, particularly Cvent and Dealogic / Conference Manager may be required
• Experience with virtual platforms including but not limited to; Zoom, Webex and On24 may be required
• Extensive experience in working with and managing senior clients
• Strong leadership experience; both leading and motivating colleagues in a manner that enhances working relationships and encapsulates the company brand and values
• Advanced project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent written and oral communication skills at all levels
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, specifically Excel
• Extensive industry knowledge of new suppliers, venues, services, and best practices
• Strong client management skills with the ability to influence and lead by example, fostering a positive environment
• Ability to create best practice and take on new initiatives independently
• Client centric, approachable, ability to adjust to client needs and style and deepen relationships in support of their business and programs; adapt to ever changing demands and different client work styles
• Motivated, self-starter, ability to take direction and work independently; ability to think innovatively
• Leadership/influencing/negotiation and decision-making skills
• Travel (10% annually)

Administration and General

• Build excellent relations with clients and colleagues through positive communications
• Work intelligently and ensure your manager is aware of problems or issues which negatively affect productivity
• Adhere to, meet, and exceed SLA’s and KPIs consistently across all work
• Strict and accurate adherence to company’s time tracking policies and systems
• Assume responsibility for own environment, ensuring adherence to health and safety policies while having clean smart surroundings
• Act as an ambassador for the FIRST brand, leading by example and displaying the company’s core values (Ambition, Creativity, Excellence, Integrity, Teamwork)

United States Residents: The base pay for this position ranges from $100,000 - $130,000. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

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