Manager of Global and BD Event Operations

Finnegan•Washington, DC

1d•$125,000 - $145,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Finnegan is more than just a law firm – we are a powerhouse of innovation and strategy growth. We pride ourselves on providing top-tier intellectual property services globally. Our success is rooted in our emphasis on relationships with our clients and each other. We care about every individual, and it is why many professionals have spent their entire careers at Finnegan. The Manager of Global and BD Event Operations is responsible for leading the planning, execution, and evaluation of firm-wide events that support marketing, client engagement, and business development (BD) objectives, as well as supporting large firm events, retreats, and summits, in addition to internal events for building staff morale, culture, and community. This role serves as one of the leads in the design and execution of the firm’s most complex and high-impact events globally.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, hospitality, or a related field.
Minimum of 6-8 years of event management experience, preferably in a law firm, professional services, or corporate setting.
Combines strong event management expertise with business development awareness.
Requires both strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with regular interaction with firm leadership and practice group chairs.
Proven experience managing a team and overseeing multiple complex events simultaneously.
Demonstrated executive presence, with the ability to communicate confidently, credibly, and professionally with senior firm leadership, partners, and external vendors, including presenting complex information clearly and exercising sound judgment in high visibility situations.
Strong organizational and project management skills with keen attention to detail.
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with a client-service mindset.
Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage tight deadlines.
Proficiency with event management software (Cvent), Microsoft Office Suite, and CRM systems (e.g., DealCloud or similar).
Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, able to prioritize multiple tasks, and complete simultaneous assignments with minimal supervision.
Ability and willingness to be a team player as well as work outside of standard business hours and travel regularly for events, as required.

Responsibilities

Works closely with the Senior Director, Global Events and Meetings to develop and implement event strategies that bring the firm’s brand differentiators to life in compelling, memorable ways and align with the firm’s overall marketing and BD initiatives across a global footprint.
Identifies and drives the adoption of scalable guidelines, streamlined processes, best practices, and standard operating procedures that elevate client event execution across the organization. Develops new client event programs that align with integrated marketing campaigns and practice and industry growth targets and novel event approaches to drive client engagement through events.
Partners with marketing and BD teams and practice group leaders to identify event, sponsorship, and membership opportunities that support client relationship-building and thought leadership relevant to the international presence for the firm and its offices.
Oversees the planning and execution of firm-sponsored marketing events and receptions, including coordinating with others to support table seat assignments and allocation of complimentary passes, producing invitee/RSVP/attendee reports, and other logistics related to the execution of the event.
Identifies the necessary support for attorneys when coordinating special events, including dinners and receptions for clients and other business development-related contacts.
Serves as a right-hand to the Senior Director, Global Events and Meetings to successfully create and execute creative experiential events that bring firm members and external clients and BD contacts together in compelling and memorable ways for events such as: Attorney Retreats, Partner Retreats and Meetings, Finnegan FORWARD Summit, and VISION Summit. This includes:
Developing a vision for the event flow, catering, and decor, identifying entertainment as needed, and managing vendor relationships.
Coordinating with others to identify the agenda and substantive topics for programming.
Working with the other team members on the event technology needs and the graphic designer to create and distribute collateral and supporting materials for the design of the event.
Serves as an internal firm lead for staff morale and community events, such as monthly heritage cultural celebrations, staff morale events in the DC office (ex. Annual Zoo Picnic, etc.), DC/Reston Holiday Party, and others. Primary responsibilities include:
Leads others across firm departments to build the events and timeline for successful execution, being mindful of the target audience and event goals.
Coordinates with vendors and others in the firm to execute invitation, speaker logistics, venue needs, among other details as needed.
Provides and assigns day-of staffing and onsite logistical support.
Supervises, mentors, and grows events team members including the Marketing Specialist, Marketing Event Planner, and Events and Administrative Coordinator.
Oversees performance and support for professional growth of team members. Maintains and creates procedure sheets and training guidelines.
Develops and manages event budgets, track expenditures, and reports ROI metrics.
Works with others to support pre- and post-event communications, contact targeting, and performance analytics. Assists with producing reports for firm practice leads, management, and others as requested.
Works with the others to manage event technology and vendor relationships and identifies interactive technologies to engage audiences.
Monitors and measures event metrics and prepares reports on event performance and key learnings to inform future planning.
Provides assistance, as needed, with other projects.