Event Designer/Producer

Kehoe Designs Inc • Chicago, IL

5h

About The Position

THE EVENT DESIGNER AND PRODUCER DESIGNS AND MANAGES EVENT PROJECTS, INCLUDING CONCEPTING EVENT DESIGNS, DEVELOPING AND MANAGING SALES CONTRACTS, AND COORDINATING THE DEVELOPMENT OF EVENT DESIGNS INTO PRODUCTION. THIS POSITION MANAGES CLIENTS WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACT, PRICING, AND EVENT DETAILS AND ENSURES THE CLIENTS’ NEEDS ARE MET THROUGH COMPLETION OF THE EVENT. THIS POSITION MAY CROSS-SELL/REFER ALL BRANDS TO CLIENTS, INCLUDING KEHOE DESIGNS DÉCOR, BLACKOAK TECHNICAL PRODUCTIONS, AND THE GERAGHTY. THIS POSITION USES INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT AND REPORTS TO AND TAKES DIRECTION FROM THE DIRECTOR OF SALES.

Requirements

• Associates' or Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• 5 years’ experience in sales event production (particularly in a creative or event décor industry).
• Strong Microsoft Word, Excel computer skills.
• Ability to compute costs and analyze pricing and contract specifications.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to deal effectively with diverse individuals at all organizational levels.
• Excellent customer service skills, including tact and diplomacy.
• Proven ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced setting.
• Demonstrated ability to share skills and knowledge with others.
• Effective problem-solving and mediation skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal communications and conflict management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, highly organized, with outstanding follow-up skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in floral design/floral production is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Meets with clients to conceptualize and develop event design themes and styles and secure event business.
• Interprets clients' needs, style, and story and sets appropriate design budgets to effectively create designs both in-house and on-site.
• Collaborates with Creative Services and other Event Designers as needed to develop event themes and designs.
• Demonstrates senior knowledge of floral design, construction, props, fabrication, and lighting.
• Show continuous growth and innovation to develop unique original designs.
• Writes and negotiates profitable proposals and sales presentations within accordance of company guidelines.
• Secures client commitment regarding down payment, signed contracts, and future payments according to department standards.
• Could seek out and target new customers and sales opportunities to secure new business.
• Successfully develops, maintains, manages, and improves business relationships with new and existing clients.
• Meets and exceeds target sales volume each year, and if applicable, new business sales goals each year.
• May cross-sell/refer all brands to clients, including Kehoe Designs Décor, Kehoe Designs Event Technology, The Geraghty, and Entertainment.
• May create sales projections, sales development plans, and tools.
• Acts as a liaison and process expert with clients to answer questions, adjusts contracts and event specifications, and ensures clients are satisfied with the sales and execution processes.
• Coordinates key production elements and cost-related items with the Samples Department to develop customer samples and verify pricing.
• Collaborates with Event Assistants to prepare all event-related paperwork and pull-sheets on time and with accuracy.
• Works with Event Designers to document event components and design elements to translate the designs into production requirements.
• Manages event projects. Informs and instructs Production departments on key elements and timelines for each event; tracks production to ensure all event details are accurately produced according to schedule. Troubleshoots issues that may arise with a professional demeanor and provides reasonable resolutions.
• Manages venue specifications to include contacting venue staff to get floor plans to ensure that power requirements, room dimensions, etc. are appropriate for the successful completion of event; troubleshoots any issues that might arise by working directly with venue staff and production to resolve issues; and conducts walk-throughs of venues.
• Determines all rental items needed for execution of event and facilitates order with vendors, working directly with venue staff and clients.
• Manages execution of events to include scheduling and participating in Production Meetings to finalize any details necessary for the execution of an event, including final table counts, reviewing the prop sheet, and determining set up and strike times with client/venue.
• Attends events as expected, needed, and directed at the discretion of management to ensure clients are satisfied and event is executed successfully and according to contract.
• Develops and maintains cooperative work relationships with all internal departments and external clients.
• Understands inventory components and pricing, how inventory components relate to each other, inventory quantities, and naming conventions.
• Understands navigation through event planning software to find and “pull” inventory items.
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, increase profitability, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality, seamless event production and design.
• Complies with department and company safety guidelines, procedures, rules, and training expectations.
• Establishes safety guidelines and expectations and ensures that staff follows all company and departmental safety guidelines, procedures, and rules.
• Mentors safe work practices to co-workers and team.
• Interfaces professionally with all people, internal and external, in a kind and respectful manner.
• Tracks and enters time and assigns hours and tasks to appropriate events and jobs in time and attendance system. Ensures staff do the same.
• Completes all Human Resources and Payroll tasks and notifications through the Employee Self Service Online Portal on a weekly basis, as directed and within established timelines. Ensures staff does the same.
• May perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision insurance options available full-time.
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company matching.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): In compliance with Illinois State Law.
• Training & Development: Opportunities for skill development and career advancement.
• Flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend availability.
• Safe and supportive work environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree