Senior Events Specialist

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in London seeks a Senior Events Specialist to lead strategic events across the UK and Europe, collaborating with sales, BD and the US events team to ensure a cohesive global program.

The role focuses on end-to-end planning of virtual and in-person events, sponsorships, and client engagements, delivering high-level experiences with a white-glove approach and strict budget control.

Qualifications

• Proven experience planning high-volume events in professional services.
• Ability to navigate a complex, multi-tiered organization.
• Excellent communication and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as main contact for event planning across UK and Europe, connecting external events, campaigns and internal events.
• Independently lead virtual and live events from inception to close, updating stakeholders and BD team.
• Establish goals, responsibilities, project plan and approved budget in advance of event.
• Manage all logistics including venue, F&B, AV/IT, run of shows, staffing, materials, signage, swag, post-event follow ups, ROI tracking.
• Partner with internal departments on event needs (design, content, accreditation, etc.).
• Propose, order and manage client takeaways and gifts across UK and Europe.
• Build and manage budgets and ROI across hosted events and sponsorships.

Skills

Event Planning

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Budget Management

Communications

Relationship Building

Travel Flexibility

Tools

CRM system

Job description

Overview

The Objective: As a Senior Events Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in the strategy, oversight, planning and execution of events, sponsorships and special projects across the UK and Europe, supporting firm goals and ensuring brand & process cohesion in the region.

What will I do? You will lead the logistical planning and execution of all types of internal and external events - from virtual events and webinars to those in-person, ranging from small client dinners to major events and sponsorships. You will be a strategic partner to our UK-based sales and business development team, as well as EU counterparts, while collaborating closely with the wider US-based events team to ensure consistency in our events offering globally.

Our ideal candidate will have a strong track record in planning successful high-level events with a white glove approach and be skilled in project management and collaboration across teams and regions.

Responsibilities

Your main responsibilities will include the following:

1. Event Planning

• Serve as main point of contact for event planning across the UK and Europe, connecting the dots across external events, strategic campaigns and internal events.


• Independently lead virtual and live events from point of inception through close out, collaborating with and updating event stakeholders and wider BD team throughout the planning process.


• Establish goals, responsibilities, project plan and approved budget in advance of event


• Manage all logistics related to venue, food and beverage, AV/IT, run of shows, staffing, materials, name tags, signage, swag, post-event follow ups, ROI tracking, etc.


• Partner with internal departments on event needs including design, content creation, accreditation processes, etc.


• Propose, order, and manage process for client takeaways and gifts (including branded items) across UK and Europe.


• Build and manage approval for budgets across all hosted events and sponsorships, keeping a close eye on budget and overall spend to ensure maximum ROI will be reached.

2. Creative & Communications

• In collaboration with our Creative team, as needed, develop a cohesive design scheme and vision for events large and small, keeping Orrick's event offering on the cutting edge.


• Lead the creation and deployment of invitations and other collateral, as well as RSVP and post-event attendee tracking via CRM.


• Produce briefing materials on event attendees, with financial and competitive intelligence as well as biographical information of individuals.


• Produce event follow-up materials, such as final attendance reports, budget summaries and post-event reports for lawyer follow-up.


• Manage promotions on internal tracking calendar, Orrick.com and Orrick portal


• In collaboration with our Communications team, assess whether additional promotion is worthwhile - social media, press, etc.

3. Strategy

• Work closely with local BD and Sales teams to identify market trends, client needs, and competitor strategies to inform event opportunities.


• Maintain a comprehensive event calendar for all events (internal and external), sponsorships and speaking engagements across region.


• Ensure CRM and document management folders are kept up to date with all relevant materials, data and budget totals.


• Analyze the benefits of sponsorship opportunities, provide recommendations on the value, and confirm accuracy of firm brand across relevant events - ensure maximum ROI is reached in relation to sponsorship dollars.


• Serve as regional resource for onsite logistics, offsite venues, preferred vendors and restaurants.


• Ensure events planned in the region align and reflect the firm’s wider Events strategy, branding and experience.

Qualifications

• Proven experience planning complex events at a high volume, ideally within a professional services environment, or equivalent high-performing organization


• Adept at navigating a complex and multi-tiered organization


• Integrity, tact, and professionalism in dealing with sensitive information and maintaining client confidence.


• Absolute trustworthiness, confidentiality, and discretion.


• Demonstrated superb, consistent judgement.


• Exceptional project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with a high degree of detail and accuracy.


• Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.


• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate needs, identify opportunities, and drive initiatives to completion. Strong problem-solving skills.


• A collaborative and team-oriented mindset, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic, results-driven environment.


• A passion for challenging the status quo, a hunger for greatness, and an unwavering commitment to achieving extraordinary results.


• A good listener with a growth mindset and proven ability to adapt quickly to change and exhibit a high degree of flexibility.


• Self-confident without being self-important, intellectually curious, thoughtful, considerate, and decent. A disdain for organizational politics, gamesmanship, and positioning.


• Flexibility to travel as required to fulfil the responsibilities of the role.