We are recruiting for an Events Manager to join our team in London on a 6 month FTC.

Department purpose
The business development, marketing and communications team is integral to the setting and achievement of the firm’s global client strategy, which includes guiding the partners and associates in their pursuit of becoming the clients’ trusted advisers, building and maintaining long-lasting, deep institutional client relationships, winning new clients, increasing the visibility of the firm globally, and positioning the firm as the thought leader and most advanced law firm among the global elite law firms. The function works as one team across the globe with very close collaboration between the central groups, such as communications, and the professionals working in local offices, practice groups, sectors and clients

The Central Events Team is a medium size team of events professionals based in A&O Shearman’s London office.

• The team delivers an end-to-end event management solution for A&O Shearman’s client and internal events
• Individuals have in-depth involvement in the identification and planning phases for event marketing activities
• The team makes recommendations, implements best practice globally and provides outstanding event marketing support to the business's client relationship programme
• The team is responsible for a variety of strategic events varying from creative London based dinners and drinks receptions to training based global offsites and content rich conferences

Role purpose
The Events Manager runs market-leading global events with creative execution to ensure our events are differentiated from our competitors in the market.

This person has in-depth involvement in the identification and planning phases for events and is fully aware the role events marketing plays in achieving the wider firm’s strategic vision. They are able to confidently make recommendations to partners and senior business development colleagues whilst implementing events best practice globally.

Role and responsibilities

• Responsible for the delivery of internal conferences in the UK and Europe, from event brief to execution (100-350 pax)
• Lead on client-related events with multiple partners (across our global offices and practice groups) from the initial brief through to onsite execution and debrief
• Assessing the business value of an event and giving guidance where appropriate
• Supporting the head of the team with special strategic-focused projects
• Demonstrates expertise in event production, supplier negotiation, event contracting, logistics, and delegate management
• Devising creative and innovative event concepts which meet objectives and budget
• Communicating with and gaining the confidence of the fee-earners in relation to their events
• Ensuring that the reputation of the business and A&O Shearman's values is reflected at events
• Qualitative and quantitative post-event analysis for holistic ROI reporting
• Giving full support to any member of the business undertaking client entertainment (within the team threshold)
• Supporting team members pre and on site with events, as required
• Promoting compliance with the firm's risk management and other policies and working practices
• Developing best practice and implementing and maintaining consistency in team template documents
• Introducing innovative new ideas to contribute to the business's strategic priorities through event marketing
• Staying abreast of competitor activity and all new developments / venues / suppliers within the events industry 

Key requirements

• Experienced UK and Europe conference manager
• Confident in developing virtual platforms and app technology with suppliers and internal stakeholders
• Relevant experience in all areas of event marketing at an equivalent manager level within an in-house professional services or client-focused corporate agency environment
• Excellent London and European venue knowledge preferential
• Knowledge of virtual event technology and delivery platforms
• Committed to demonstrating the strategic value of event marketing
• Meticulous attention to detail with an exceptional standard of delivery and service
• Excellent project management skills – communicating actions, progress and concerns promptly and regularly
• Thrives on deadlines with an ability to flex agreed processes appropriately to meet tight time frames
• Exceptional organisational, verbal and written communication skills, with solid problem solving ability
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills to ensure buy-in
• Resilient and comfortable with limited resources, always remaining calm under pressure
• Strong commerciality, negotiation skills and sound judgement
• Displays a passionate, confident, determined, friendly and approachable outlook
• Encourages knowledge-sharing approaches and actively seeks, and learns from, others’ perspectives
• A critical thinker who challenges established thinking and processes, continually learning and seeking new ideas
• Embraces change and communicates change effectively
• Willingness to work additional hours when required (eg: breakfast seminars and dinners)
• Willingness to travel overseas for work as and when required
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, and experience of using events management software eg: Monday.com, Eventogy, Vuture etc. and virtual event technology platforms eg: MS Teams, Zoom, WebEx etc.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

We recognise the value of flexible working and embraces hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do however remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Additional information - External

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.