Senior Manager: Meeting and Events

Mayer Brown • Chicago, IL

290d • $144,400 - $191,000

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, and diverse 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. If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Business Development and Marketing department in our Chicago office, as a Senior Manager: Meeting and Events. The Senior Manager: Meeting and Events is responsible for setting the overall direction and objectives for all US-based in-person and virtual client events and select intra-company events to ensure that they align with the Firm's business development goals and brand standards. The role will also be directly responsible for managing a combination of national, practice/industry, client team and office-based events as well as involvement with the Global Partners Meeting. Reporting to the Senior Director: Global Business Development and Marketing Operations, the candidate will work closely with industry professionals, Business Development and Marketing teammates, and other colleagues.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required
• CMP, CSEP, or CMM certification strongly preferred
• Minimum 10-15 years professional corporate events planning experience
• Excellent vendor relationships and negotiating skills
• Strong knowledge of destinations, hotels, event facilities and related vendors
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
• Experience and familiarity with InterAction and Vuture a plus
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• 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

Nice To Haves

• Law firm experience a plus

Responsibilities

• Leads the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of all US-based in-person and virtual client events, ensuring alignment with business development goals and brand standards
• Engages with internal clients to determine goals/objectives for client and select intra-company on-and off-site events, providing expert guidance and recommendations
• Employs a comprehensive approach to evaluating the success of events, including outlining a post-event analysis focused on goal achievement and ROI
• 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
• Oversees the development and maintenance of database of venues, vendors and other external relationships to streamline the event planning process
• Develops and manages budgets of varying sizes, tracking and preparing reports for key stakeholders
• Develops and implements best practices, policies, and workflow procedures to ensure the efficient and effective execution of all events, including opportunities for continuous improvement
• 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.
• Negotiate cost-effective prices for all events and related services, utilizing resources in other offices and use established vendor relationships when possible
• Review contracts and interface with procurement and internal legal departments
• Collaborate with our graphic design team on invitations, ads, signage and event collateral and other design projects
• Utilize and keep current Business Development & Marketing department calendar of events
• Create innovative and unique ideas for client events and select intra-company activities
• Coordinate all logistical details for client and select intra-company events that may include monitoring cut-off dates on hotel rooms, guarantee dates, attrition and cancellation clauses, travel, menu planning, transportation arrangements, 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
• Provide on-site management at event as necessary
• Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives

Benefits

• Medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance
• 401(k) savings plan
• Back-up childcare and eldercare
• Generous paid time off (PTO)
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree