Events and Practice Support Manager

Seyfarth; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Seyfarth is seeking an Events Manager in New York to coordinate high-profile client-facing events and support the NY office. You will collaborate with office leadership, practice groups, and the Marketing team to ensure events meet brand standards and drive business development.

Ideal candidates have 5–7 years in corporate event planning, preferably in a law firm setting, and can design engaging invitations and programs using modern tools and technology.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 5–7 years as a corporate event planner, law firm experience preferred.
• Ability to design and produce creative events and invitations using modern tech.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of high-profile, client-facing events.
• Collaborate with Marketing to support business development and brand.
• Coordinate with office leadership and practice groups for NY events.
• Manage budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships.
• Improve event design with fresh themes and technology.
• Handle in-office events and guest experience from setup to wrap.

Skills

Event planning

Client-facing

Vendor coordination

Budget management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Why Seyfarth

At Seyfarth, we understand that great people are the key to our success, and we provide the opportunities to match. If you join us, you’ll work with state-of-the-art technology in a friendly and professional environment, and we will continue to invest in your professional development. If you want the freedom to grow at a firm that is invested in your future, keep reading.

The Opportunity

As an Events Manager, you will be responsible for coordinating events and providing support for the New York office. On a given day, you will be working closely with office leadership, various departments and practice groups within the New York office.

The Day-To-Day

On any given day, you will:

High-Profile and Client-Facing Events

• Lead the planning and execution of high-profile, client-facing events, including receptions, seminars, breakfast briefings, dinners and milestone celebrations, with every detail meeting the firm’s standards of excellence.


• Work with the Marketing department to plan and deliver events that support business development goals, strengthen client relationships and showcase the firm’s brand.


• Serve as the on-site host and main point of contact for firm functions within your purview. Create a warm, welcoming experience for clients, guests and attorneys while managing real-time logistics with poise.


• Research outside venues and conduct site visits for top choices. Make recommendations based on location, ambiance, offering and budget.


• Select menus and plan the guest experience, considering the number and makeup of attendees, dietary needs and budget.

Hospitality and Guest Experience

• Champion a hospitality-first culture so that every client, guest and colleague feels valued from arrival to departure.


• Work closely with the Conference Center Manager on in-office events, from space planning, setup and catering to AV and guest flow, to deliver a consistent, elevated experience.


• Anticipate the needs of VIP guests, clients and firm leadership, and handle sensitive or high-visibility events with discretion and professionalism.

Creative Direction and Event Innovation

• Bring a creative, forward-thinking approach to event design. Introduce fresh themes, formats and experiences that elevate both internal and external NY office events.


• Design and produce engaging invitations, announcements and event materials with the Marketing team, using the latest technology and tools and following firm brand standards.


• Stay current on event and hospitality trends, and gather post-event feedback to keep improving the attendee experience.

Office Leadership and Internal Engagement

• Work collaboratively with the NY Office Managing Partners and leaders of all NY practice groups and teams to plan internal events that strengthen culture, connection and engagement.


• Serve as the liaison for practice group meetings. Set meeting calendars with practice leaders and keep group members and office personnel informed about time, place and agenda. Solicit and suggest agenda topics, prepare and distribute agendas, and attend and contribute to meetings as appropriate.


• Coordinate with the firm’s practice group managers, marketing and professional development staff to ensure the best possible outcome.


• Identify ways to improve how practice groups operate, whether through better communication, business development focus or workload distribution. Raise suggestions with the responsible group leader and, once there is consensus, work with key stakeholders to reach the goal.


• Build strong working relationships with all personnel to support the success of each department and its goals.


• Coordinate seasonal sports tickets, organize the office softball team, handle gifts for attorney promotions and holiday gifts for building staff, and order Seyfarth-branded merchandise.

Budget, Contracts and Vendor Management

• Receive, evaluate, negotiate, revise and sign contracts for the firm meetings and events you are responsible for. Review associated invoices and submit payment requests.


• Prepare and manage the budget for NY events, catering and meetings, delivering maximum impact and value.


• Build trusted relationships with venues, caterers and other event partners to support consistently high-quality events.

From a Pro Bono and Community Perspective

• Work closely with the NY Pro Bono Partner, the NY pro bono team and the Head of the firm’s Pro Bono program to encourage 3% billable-hours participation by all attorneys and paralegals. Give the OMPs updates on the office’s pro bono participation, coordinate pro bono clinics in the office several times a year, and plan the annual pro bono dinner honoring those with the most participation hours.


• Handle all charitable donation requests for the NY office. Schedule and coordinate NY office volunteer opportunities (e.g., Habitat for Humanity, Bowery Mission).

You Have

• A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience)


• A minimum of 5-7 years as a corporate event planner. Experience in a law firm environment preferred.


• The ability to design and produce creative and exciting, well-thought out events, invitations and announcements for the New York office and marketing team, using the latest technology and tools available.


• Ability to work within a team setting.

What We Provide

Seyfarth provides competitive salary and benefits at all levels, and our culture embraces the entrepreneurial spirit of its professionals like no other firm. Our professional staff are a collaborative team, helping to define the unique client experience offered by the firm. We understand that it takes more than attorneys to build a successful legal practice; everyone participates in our commitment to excellence.

More About Seyfarth

With approximately 1,000 lawyers across 19 offices, Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides advisory, litigation, and transactional legal services to clients worldwide. Learn more about The Seyfarth Experience at www.seyfarth.com/careers/.

Seyfarth Shaw is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, change of sex or transgender status, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law.

Location Specific Language

The salary range for this role is $100,000 - $135,000annually, which is based on a 40 hour work week]. This range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in New York. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on numerous factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, and business or organizational needs. This job is also eligible for an annual merit increase and bonus pay.

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This position is based in New York, NY 10018