Event Operations Director - DMC Events Agency

If your two great loves are brilliant event delivery and London as a destination.. then this fab role is for you! Bring your key passions together leading the operational delivery of varied group event programmes for top level in-bound international clients for this highly regarded Events Agency.

Our client is a leading London-based Destination Management Company (DMC), handling business and special interest groups visiting Great Britain (75% London) from overseas, primarily to attend corporate or association meetings and incentive travel programmes. The company is highly regarded and long established, and prides itself in superb customer service, creative product design delivering bespoke, innovative and memorable experiences for their clients. You will be part of a dynamic and collaborative team where your passion and expertise will contribute to shaping the future of their brand.

THE ROLE

They are looking for an experienced event professional to join the Event Operations Team to plan and manage incoming group programmes to the UK (75% London). Ideally someone with senior level experience in the DMC / incoming travel business or creative event management, comfortable handling international clients, and sizeable groups.

Working as part of a team, the Project Director will plan the logistics, manage and physically operate complex corporate group travel programmes in the UK (across all aspects, hotel/accom, catering, hospitality/entertainment/tours, conference/meeting elements, transfers/staffing etc). Know knowledge of London and Great Britain as a destination is essential along with the confidence to represent the company in this client-facing role operational role. Building relationships with clients and varied event suppliers is key, so is the ability to cope under pressure, be a creative problem solver, have a strong visual imagination and excellent attention to detail.

Working as part of a team, the Project Director will design and implement complex and detailed group programmes requiring someone with financial awareness to manage budgets along with excellent soft skills to work in a team environment and interact with clients and suppliers alike. In exchange, you'll be joining a flexible, collaborative informal team who are highly respected leaders in their field.

As Programme Director your responsibilities will include:

• Planning, managing and implementing complex programme operations on-site, which can entail long & unsocial hours
• Programme budget management from initiation to final invoice, including deposit schedule and the maximization of profit
• Post programme wrap-up: Debriefs, invoicing & final accounting, supplier liaison, archiving
• Maintain relationships with key suppliers negotiating preferential terms and representing the company in person at industry events
• Research venues and services to develop new events, products & services
• Support the sales team, as needed, preparing proposals (using well-supported technology platform) with customized solutions for our clients
• Management and nurture of client relationship (often international) with the awareness of differing cultural styles, along with the handling of VIP guests
• Supplier coordination and liaison, including the booking of staffing, transportation, entertainment, décor
• Handling high-profile security conscious VIP guests
• Preparation of detailed programme documents, and database management (ie: attendee travel data)

You:

We are looking for an experienced Event Manager/Director, who loves managing the complex logistics, and delivering excellent event programmes.

Specifically you'll bring:

• Experience (min 4 years) of planning and managing group events, preferably within an agency setting
• Knowledge and curiosity about London and the UK as a competitive business tourism market
• Ability to work with executive-level clients to develop customized programme solutions to meet their needs
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills
• Awareness of latest industry trends and insights - and natural passion to discover more
• Commercially astute with excellent negotiation skills
• A master juggler who is great under pressure, collaborative and solution orientated

And highly desirable additional skills include:

• Experience in the DMC or UK incoming travel business - enthusiasm to learn about London & Great Britain
• Live production, event management skills including designing visually appealing, dynamic environments and coordinating entertainment, food & beverage etc …
• Knowledge of audio-visual services
• European languages an advantage but not essential

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