Manager: Meetings & Events

Mayer Brown • Chicago, IL

23h • Hybrid

About The Position

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do. We are a collegial, collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm. The Meeting and Events Manager will be responsible for managing all aspects of in-person both client and select intra-company events to ensure that the Mayer Brown brand is upheld, lawyers leverage these opportunities to develop business and promote best practices. The Meeting and Events Manager will handle a combination of national, practice/industry, client team, alumni, NextGen, learning & development and office-based events. Reporting to the Senior Manager: Meetings & Events, this role will work closely with industry professionals, Business Development & Marketing teammates, and other business services colleagues.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered in lieu of the degree when the experience has been directly related to the functions of the job
• Minimum 7-10 years professional corporate events planning experience
• Excellent vendor relationships and negotiating skills
• Strong knowledge of destinations, hotels, event facilities and related vendors
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm and outside vendors
• Ability to work in a diverse team environment and effectively support the demanding needs of the Firm
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines with shifting priorities
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative
• Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
• Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Manages processes for direct reports in regard to performance appraisals, annual compensation, goal setting and performance counselling
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience
• Operational budget analysis and recommendations
• Conducts analysis of staffing levels and participation in the recruitment process
• Able to determine and implement change processes to improve workflow efficiencies
• Process- and service-oriented with strong leadership and project management skills
• Able to set priorities and delegate in an efficient manner
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products

Nice To Haves

• CMP, CSEP, or CMM certification strongly preferred.
• Law firm experience a plus
• Experience and familiarity with InterAction and Vuture a plus

Responsibilities

• Manages coordination of all aspects of in-person client and select internal events, from planning and development to execution and post-event follow-up, in collaboration with the Business Development & Marketing team and other departments such as Alumni, NextGen, Opportunity & Development and Learning & Development.
• Meets with internal clients to determine goals/objectives for client and select intra-company on-and off- site events.
• Researches, solicits proposals from, and conducts site visits and inspections of potential event properties, including hotels and resorts, restaurants, bar/lounges, and special event spaces.
• Prepares visual presentations and/or cost-comparison spreadsheets of venue recommendations, as requested.
• Establishes and maintains a database of venues and client needs.
• Creates and manages budgets of varying sizes, tracking and demonstrating ROI and preparing reports for key stakeholders.
• Implements best practices, policies, and workflow procedures to ensure the efficient and effective execution of all events.
• Develops and manages event timelines, communicating deadlines and assignments to marketing business services professionals and consultants, as necessary.
• Uses the firm’s CRM system to run reports, manage lists, and track RSVPs, attendance, follow-up, etc.
• Negotiates cost-effective prices for all events and related services, utilizing resources in other offices and use established vendor relationships when possible.
• Reviews contracts and interface with procurement and internal legal departments.
• Monitors cut-off dates on hotel rooms, guarantee dates, attrition and cancellation clauses.
• Collaborates with our graphic design team on invitations, ads, signage and event collateral and other design projects.
• Utilizes and keep current Business Development & Marketing department calendar of events.
• Creates innovative and unique ideas for client events and select intra-company activities.
• Coordinates all logistical details for client and select intra-company events that may include travel, menu planning, transportation arrangements, hotel accommodations, meeting room set-ups, audio visual equipment, speakers, recreational activities, management of invitation/rsvp process and execute any other related services in conjunction with the event.
• Provides on-site management at event as necessary.
• Post event, meets with client to determine if event goals were met and identify opportunities for future improvement.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives.

Benefits

• We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees