Events Manager

We are recruiting an Events Manager into our fast paced and ambitious Marketing and Business Development department. The Events Manager will develop and implement plans for successful events aligned with the strategic priorities and objectives of the firm.

About Macfarlanes

We are a distinctive London-based law firm with a unique combination of services built and shaped around the needs of our clients. Our unrivalled blend of expertise, agility and culture means we have the flexibility to meet their most challenging demands and adapt to the changing world around us. While many of our services can be found at other firms, the mix cannot.

We find, recruit and train talented people from all backgrounds, building careers for the long term, to one day shape and lead the firm. We know each other personally which means we work together with more cohesion, and less formality. Our culture is thoughtful, challenging and supportive, and we are a place where everyone, at whatever level, can thrive. We remain focused on equal treatment in recruitment, retention and promotion.  

The role

The Events Manager will plan, execute and review events both in person and online.

The successful candidate will have in-depth involvement in the identification and planning phases for events, making proactive recommendations to stakeholders and the business development team, adhering to events best practice, and providing effective, full-service events support.

The events will mainly be client or intermediary focused events, however, the team also leads on certain internal events (e.g. larger events such as the firm’s summer party and partner conference as well as some D&I related events). Most of our events take place in London, however, we also support on some international events (either from London or, for one or two, onsite). The size of the events will vary greatly from smaller dinners and roundtables to large drink receptions (up to 300 people).

The Events Manager will be part of the events team which is led by a Senior Event Manager and includes an event executive and an event assistant. Over time it is likely that the individual will take on line management for the event assistant (once settled into the role).

The Events Manager will work very closely with the Business Development team as well as the wider Marketing and Business Development team and key stakeholders in the wider business.

Duties will include:

• providing a total event management package for client, intermediary and certain internal events;
• communicating with and gaining the confidence of key stakeholders to ensure that they are fully briefed and engaged during the event lifecycle;
• adhering to policies, protocols, guidelines, best practices and metrics to ensure a high level of programme consistency, cost management, continual improvement and meeting host and attendee satisfaction;
• reviewing the appropriateness of events and hospitality and evaluating the differentiation against competitors and their effectiveness to the overall relationship with the firm’s clients (status reports);
• the team supports on a wide variety of events, including large, complex events (i.e. 150+ attendees) to smaller dinners/roundtables from event conception, to engaging the relevant stakeholders, to post-event administration and reconciliation of costs;
• ensuring all Macfarlanes events are brand compliant and in keeping with the firm’s values;
• will need to be commercially minded and adapt at contract review and negotiations of event related supplier contracts for competitive pricing and budget planning in compliance with firm policy, and in the production of event statistics to monitor spend and benefits of events;
• providing pre-event and on-site assistance;
• collaborating with the business development and marketing team, supporting and guiding them with their event activity with regards to responsibilities, processes, policies and events best practice;
• facilitating key supplier/vendor meetings throughout the year, building and fostering relationships to mutual advantage;
• co-ordinating, comply and report to procurement and office leads on all sourcing, process, budget reporting, contracts, technology, catering agreements, or other as required; and
• monitoring changing laws affecting meeting industry and track industry standards.

This job description encompasses the main duties of the role and is by no means exhaustive. It is anticipated that duties may vary from time to time according to the needs of the department.

The candidate

The successful candidate will ideally possess the following:

Knowledge and experience

• the ideal candidate will have extensive event management experience gained within a corporate environment, ideally within professional services;
• track record in creating and executing successful and measurable events and programmes independently, across a wide range of event types including seminars, conferences, VIP dinners, roundtables and hospitality;
• proven experience and a strong background in end-to-end event management at a senior level and responsibility for a significant budget; and
• extensive industry knowledge and strong established relationships with external suppliers e.g. London venues, speaker bureaus and hospitality providers.

Required skills

• the successful individual must have strong self-motivational and people skills: ability to work autonomously, develop highly functioning working relationships, exercise independent judgement, be very hands-on with solid problem solving ability;
• ability to organise and project manage resources and channels to optimise campaign impact and ensure team alignment around event activity;
• excellent written, presentation, and verbal communication and messaging skills with good interpersonal and influencing skills;
• commercially minded with strong negotiating skills;
• good key stakeholder management, to ensure buy-in and support for events;
• ability to manage and adapt to change;
• excellent IT skills including Microsoft, e-marketing software and event registration tools;
• meticulous attention to detail, an aptitude for learning, and ability to multi-task across competing projects and deadlines;
• execution-focused and results-oriented;
• positive approach and ability to remain calm under pressure; and
• willingness to work extra hours when required (e.g.: breakfast training programmes, dinners etc).

Application screening

Any offer of employment with us is subject to our pre-employment checks which are conducted by a third-party screening provider. These may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, any criminal records and employment references. These checks will be initiated with your consent and your offer will be subject to the successful completion of these checks.

Our commitment to inclusion

Inclusion is one of our key priorities and it is a goal we are actively working towards. We believe that an inclusive, forward-thinking culture is intrinsically important and enables us to provide innovative solutions to our clients.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, bringing different perspectives and experiences, making Macfarlanes an exciting and stimulating place to work. We seek to recruit the best candidates, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation or any other characteristic.

As part of this commitment, we will ask you certain diversity data questions. We would really appreciate you and/or your recruiter completing these questions when submitting an application to Macfarlanes as this data enables us to measure our progress and identify any actions needed to continue to support an inclusive culture. This data is anonymised to maintain the privacy of applicants. If you have any questions relating to how this data is used, please contact a member of the recruitment team.

Should you require any adjustments during the application and/or interview process, please do not hesitate to inform your recruiter or a member of the recruitment team. Please note, the job description is available in other accessible formats (for example, large print)

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who best meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme, please email the recruitment team at recruitment@macfarlanes.com.