Event Operations Director

**ABOUT OUR COMPANY**

FIRST is a leading global events agency with teams in New York, Los Angeles, London, Dublin, Singapore and Hong Kong. Some of the world’s most recognized companies trust us to develop strategies, and design, plan and produce engaging events. FIRST clients span many industries including financial services, aerospace, technology, consumer electronics, medical and healthcare, automotive, media and the non-profit sector. We are on Event Marketer’s “Top 100 Event Agencies” and “Best Places to Work in Events” lists. We’ve also been recognized by Crain’s New York Business as one of the Top 100 “Best Places to Work in NYC”.

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Track and manage staffing and availability (FT, PT, & Contract)
- Maintain accurate project calendars and project records
- Full budget responsibility for all projects and reconciliation
- Salesforce maintenance for projects and suppliers
- Maintain project tracking compliance in project management tools
- Act as resource to support team in the supplier vetting process
- Assist with onboarding new staff and suppliers per FIRST compliance requirements
- Assist with supplier management and relationships including evaluation of suppliers and services, supplier meeting scheduling, negotiating pricing and master agreements
- Ensure adherence to FIRST SOPs and client standards of operation
- Share knowledge of best practices and suppliers
- Responsible for tracking, maintaining and communicating SOP updates
- Manage intranet to maintain accurate and up to date SOP materials
- Manage SOP update initiatives as directed by VP, Planning & Production and COO
- Train, mentor and offer advice to team members as needed
- Assist with creative problem solving
- Support projects onsite as needed
- Lead client relationships as required
- Active involvement in pitch process and delivery
- Facilitate production and operation training for the region

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- 8+ years’ experience in event management
- Technical production knowledge
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Project management skills with experience in conference, meeting, experiential and production management
- Experience in managing people and process in a fast-paced, ever changing environment
- Excellent supplier knowledge and negotiation/supplier management skills
- Creative problem solver and decisive decision maker
- Proven team leader

**DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS**
- Team player with demonstrated skills in collaboration and diplomacy
- Adaptable to ever-changing situations and demands
- Highly organized - ability to handle multiple tasks to meet strict deadlines with a positive, inspiring attitude
- Ambitious, proactive and resourceful; solutions-oriented
- A calm and flexible approach to handling pressure and stress
- Resourceful and self-directed with ability to work independently
- Knowledge of Salesforce, MS Office, Excel and project management tools
- Experience implementing and maintaining SOP’s
- Experience working in a global organization
- Be solutions focused and comfortable working in an environment which demands strong deliverables along with the ability to identity problems and drive appropriate solutions.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously - orientated on results
- Proven ability to network across geographies in the organization to cultivate strong partnerships and influence at all levels of the organization
- Experience in identifying and resolving complex issues, assuming leadership roles in unfamiliar or ambiguous circumstances
- A solid sense of accountability and sound personal judgement.

**ADMINISTRATION AND GENERAL**:

- Assume responsibility for own environment, ensuring adherence to health and safety policies while having clean smart surroundings
- Build excellent relations with team through positive communications
- Proactively contribute to the growth of the agency