Project Manager, Portfolio Specialist, Bespoke Corporate Events

Firstagency; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic and innovative agency that thrives on creativity and collaboration! As a Project Manager, Portfolio Specialist, you will be at the forefront of delivering exceptional hospitality experiences for high-profile clients. This role demands a keen understanding of luxury service, strong relationship management skills, and the ability to navigate fast-paced environments with grace. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with C-suite executives, ensuring their dining and event experiences are nothing short of extraordinary. If you're passionate about creating memorable moments and building lasting connections, this is the perfect role for you!

Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Diversity and Inclusion Programs

Professional Development Opportunities

Team Building Activities

Qualifications

• 5-8+ years in event management or luxury concierge services.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and event management platforms.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute high-end dining experiences for C-suite executives.
• Manage event lifecycle including venue sourcing and logistics planning.
• Cultivate relationships with top-tier restaurants and hospitality partners.

Skills

Event Management

Luxury Hospitality

Relationship Management

Attention to Detail

Communication Skills

Time Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Cvent

Job description

FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency serving clients in various industries, including financial services, technology, new & traditional media, aerospace, healthcare, and professional services. FIRST has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the Top 150 Event Organizers & Agencies in the USA by Eventex, being listed among the "200 Top Marketing Agencies" in 2023, 2022 & 2021 by Chief Marketer, being recognized as one of the "50 Top Event Companies" by Special Events, being included in the Top 100 "Best Places to Work in NYC" by Crain's New York Business, and being listed as one of the "1000 Companies to Inspire Britain" by The London Stock Exchange Group.

FIRST also understands that businesses worldwide, including us, need to adopt more sustainable and socially responsible practices. Our vision of sustainability at FIRST is about fostering a People centric, Purpose driven & Planet conscious culture.

Our story started over 25 years ago growing through collaboration, innovation, strong culture, and a focus on people, specifically our people. Our people inspired, developed, and grew FIRST to the incredible brand experience creator it is today.

And our hope is that you become the next page of our story in developing how our agency connects more people beyond what they thought was possible.

A welcoming, creative and ambitious workplace that offers personal and professional growth for all individuals. At FIRST, you'll find:

• A welcoming workplace that fosters diversity and belonging with a focus on team members feeling valued, respected, and supported.
• Creative teams that enjoy challenging work with an ability to make an impact on those around them.
• An experiential organization that cares about the development and career experience of each employee, focusing on excellence and flexibility with the right balance of structure to thrive.

Location: New York, NY (Hybrid) Must reside in the tri-state area to be able to go into the office 3 days a week, subject to change.

What You Would Get To Do

The Project Manager, Portfolio Specialist will play a pivotal role in delivering high-touch hospitality experiences for the Investment Banking Division of a major financial institution. Acting as the primary point of contact for executive-level dining and event arrangements, this individual will curate and manage high-end dining experiences, cultivate relationships with top-tier restaurants, and ensure seamless execution for senior banking executives and VIP clients.

This role requires an understanding of luxury hospitality, strong relationship management skills, and the ability to anticipate and deliver white-glove service in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

Your Contributions

• Plan, coordinate, and execute intimate, high-end dining experiences and events for C-suite executives and VIP clients, ensuring flawless service and attention to detail.
• Oversee the full event lifecycle, including venue sourcing, contract negotiation, logistics planning, guest management, and budget reconciliation.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with top-tier restaurants and hospitality partners to secure priority reservations, exclusive access, and VIP experiences.
• Work closely with internal banking stakeholders to align dining and event experiences with business objectives, client engagement strategies, and relationship-building goals.
• Conduct site visits, evaluate new and existing venues, negotiate partnerships, and stay informed on hospitality trends to enhance event offerings.
• Secure tickets for premium entertainment experiences through direct contacts, brokers, or concierge services, ensuring seamless booking, budget approval, and reconciliation.
• Prepare detailed client briefings for every dinner and event, track attendees, and maintain a database of concierge activity, integrating insights with broader marketing and event initiatives.
• Manage and mentor a team, which may include up to 5 direct reports. Management responsibilities include:
• Managing vacation schedules for direct reports ensuring coverage for the client at all times.
• Oversee workload of the team ensuring day to day understanding of capacity/pressure points.
• Management of staffing assignments considering individual team members capacities and capabilities.
• Management of personal development reviews for direct reports.
• Lead and motivate direct reports, encouraging a productive and positive atmosphere.
• Work with the team to ensure adherence to the client’s standards of operation and policies; ensure compliance and risk guidelines are followed.

What We Are Looking For

Please be aware that we know experience does not always look like we describe it. If you believe you would be an excellent fit for this role, please apply - we would love to see how you could fit at FIRST. Please contact [e-mail] if you need accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process.

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent practical experience.
• 5-8+ years in event management, corporate hospitality, or luxury concierge services, ideally in the financial or corporate sector with exposure to C-suite executives.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications such as PowerPoint and Excel.
• Experience with event management platforms (e.g., Cvent) to track attendees, budgets, and venue data for reporting and strategic planning.
• Strong network and established relationships within the fine dining and hospitality industry in major cities; knowledge of key restaurants in global financial hubs is a plus.
• Exceptional ability to build and maintain partnerships with high-end venues, vendors, and executive clients.
• Ability to manage multiple high-touch requests simultaneously while maintaining precision and discretion.
• Willingness to work outside traditional business hours to accommodate executive schedules, and fast-paced environment.

Administration and General

• Build excellent relations with clients and colleagues through positive communications.
• Work intelligently and ensure your manager is aware of problems or issues which negatively affect productivity.
• Adhere to, meet, and exceed SLA’s and KPIs consistently across all work.
• Strict and accurate adherence to company’s time tracking policies and systems.
• Assume responsibility for own environment, ensuring adherence to health and safety policies while having clean smart surroundings.
• Act as an ambassador for the FIRST brand, leading by example and displaying the company’s core values (Ambition, Creativity, Excellence, Integrity, Teamwork).

United States Residents: The base pay for this position ranges from $85,000 - $115,000. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

FIRST is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. FIRST is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We stand firm: FIRST will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.