Corporate Events Associate Manager

Overview

At our global CPG client the consumer is at the heart of everything we do. Join the team and make a difference to consumers with one of America’s leading producers and distributors of hot and cold beverages helping to satisfy every consumer’s beverage need, anytime and anywhere.

Our client is seeking an experienced corporate event planning professional to fill the role of an Associate Manager, Corporate Events on the Corporate Events and Business Travel Team. This position contributes to company growth by creating and executing national brand sponsorship events, domestic/international sales incentives, and ELT-level corporate meetings for over 15,000 internal and external customers annually.  This associate will be responsible for assisting the manager in the development and execution of strategic planning initiatives through priority events that bring impact across business units and/or brand portfolios. They will collaborate, communicate, and interact with stakeholders, customers and suppliers to maximize the event execution and effectiveness. This role requires significant ‘customer first’ orientation, strong project management, keen attention to detail and ability to effectively manage multiple priorities. An ideal candidate will actively seek to contribute to a best- in-class team on a daily basis and demonstrates high personal levels of judgment, drive and influence.

This is a hybrid with 3 in-office days each week and based at our new Frisco, TX headquarters. This role requires up to 20% travel including extended overnight stays 4-9 days.

Accountabilities:

Event Skills –

• Strong understanding and vast experience within the corporate event management industry to design, develop, and execute sponsorship events, domestic/international sales incentives, and ELT-level corporate meetings.
• Development of program structure/elements for assigned corporate events (planning lead or planning team member) based on key brand initiatives and marketing objectives
• Demonstrates strong understanding of the event management industry, including dynamic of working with sponsorship partners, hotels, F&B vendors, AV vendors, transportation providers, international destinations/suppliers and understands the workings of Corporate Travel.​
• Plan all or various facets of events which may include sourcing, RFP’s, negotiations, site inspections, contracting, program communications, F&B, transportation, VIP requirements, registration, audio/visual production, product/brand provisioning, and post event evaluation process, etc.
• Ability to leverage KDP custom technology inside Cvent platform in full capacity and develop outputs like registration websites, event apps, and reporting, etc.
• Develop copy for websites, emails, mobile apps and stakeholder presentations and event recommendations
• Evaluate and recommend program structure changes or enhancements for continuous improvement.

Project Management –

• Employs general manager mindset to define project vision and direction. Has the ability to own, create and manage event processes, timelines, vendors, and budgets. Manages and motivates cross-functional teams and suppliers to elevate events.
• Takes lead role for project, coordinating the efforts of others planning members and agency vendors and required to collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders such as sales, marketing, legal, risk, etc.
• Has the awareness to change communication styles to be most effective; understand audience and different ways to communicate information either through emails, decks or presentations
• Ability to identify and prioritize critical projects/tasks and keep team on task to meet deadlines
• Ability to explain plans/ideas in motivational terms and persuade others of the benefits of recommendation; demonstrates that potential objections have been taken into consideration and addressed proactively

Negotiation & Partner Management –

• Ability to participate in negotiation strategy to achieve best value and maximize savings. Capable of leveraging new and existing partners to get the best output from them and hold them accountable. ​
• Identify strategic partners and participate in negotiations that drive value​
• Able to articulate expectations and shape scope for suppliers (create RFPs, etc.)​ and ability to spot issues
• Full management of vendor financials, including negotiation of work and tracking to contractual terms​
• Direct written and verbal communications with internal/external suppliers including procurement, graphics, hotels, destination management companies, and third-party travel suppliers.

Financial Acumen –

• Ability to manage complex budgets over $500K within technology platform, accurately reconcile spending and spot opportunities for added value and savings.
• Understands the value of all elements within a budget, so that elements can be changed or removed based on their priority to the event or project​
• Ability to create win-win situations when necessary to ensure that budget approvals are maintained or increases in spend are justified and approved​
• Full management of vendor financials, including tracking to contractual terms and ability to change scope of work to suit the parameters of the budget​
• Ability to analyze and document deviations in financials, and recognize when they require visibility/escalation

Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 3-5 years’ experience in Corporate meetings/incentives/sponsorship events
• Prior experience with Cvent, OnArrival and PPT and Excel
• Strong oral, written and presentation skills with different management levels
• Excellent project management and leadership skills
• Negotiation experience

The target hiring compensation range for this role is $40.00-$43.00 Per Hour. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location. Additional benefits offered may include; medical health insurance and dental insurance, life insurance, and eligibility to participate in 401k plan with company match.