Senior Project Manager (event management)

FIRST

New York (NY)

Hybrid

USD 95,000 - 109,000

Full time

9 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

401(k)

Generous Paid Time Off

Wellness Stipend

Discretionary Bonus

Job summary

FIRST in New York is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead client events and conferences across virtual, in-person, and hybrid formats. You will manage end-to-end event operations, from briefing to reconciliation, coordinating budgets, venues, catering, A/V, and speaker programs.

You’ll mentor a team, partner with Marketing, Production, Data, Legal, and Compliance, and travel 20-40% as needed. A Bachelor's degree and 8–10+ years in event management, preferably in financial services, are

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree preferred in Hospitality, Marketing, or related field.
8–10+ years of Event Management experience, preferably in financial services.
Experience managing a team and coordinating large-scale events.

Responsibilities

Full life-cycle planning and execution of multiple key events in virtual, in-person and hybrid formats.
Budget development, expense management and post-event financial reporting.
Vendor management, venue selection and contract negotiations.
Coordinate registration, A/V, catering, travel and speaker programs.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

Vendor management

Team leadership

Communication skills

Event coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree Preferred

Tools

Cvent

Microsoft Excel

Office Suite

Job description

Building a Brand starts with a Story FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency providing Content, Creative, Digital Technology, Management & Delivery, and Data & Insights services. For 30 years, we have utilized three flexible delivery models: Embedded teams, Corporate Campus operations, and a Full-Service Agency. Managing over 37,000 events & projects annually across 110 countries, FIRST serves 130+ brands, specializing in Fortune 500 companies within the Financial Services, Technology, Healthcare, Media, and Professional Services sectors. FIRST is part of the broader Encore family of companies. Encore is a global leader in event production and technology. Consistently recognized for excellence, recent honors include 2026 Chief Marketer Agency of the Year, the Ad Net Zero Award for sustainability, and more.

What You Would Get To Do

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for supporting the client with their internal and/or client-facing events and conferences while consistently delivering exceptional service through excellent project management and creative solutions. This includes the management of all aspects of the event operation, from initial briefing to reconciliation, including but not limited to project plans, collateral, registration, transportation, hotel accommodations, entertainment, food and beverage, gift selection, audio/visual needs, webcasts, staging, speaker selection, execution, reconciliation and so on. There is a requirement for onsite events to travel domestically or abroad as required.

Your Contributions

Full life-cycle planning and execution of multiple key events in a virtual, in-person and hybrid capacity
Financial management, including: budget development and management, expense management and invoice processing, timely post-meeting reconciliation and final financial reporting
Sourcing, negotiating and managing site selections, contract management for venues and suppliers
Coordinate registration, food and beverage, transportation, hotel accommodations, entertainment, gift selection, audio/visual needs, webcasts, staging and speaker selection for all programs; strong focus on vendor management
Work seamlessly with key internal partners on event deliverables (i.e. Marketing for print and digital design and collateral elements, Production on Audio Visual, Event Technology team on web builds, data team on attendee management, Legal and Compliance as required, etc.)
Virtual event planning and project management including confirming appropriate virtual platform, creation of timelines, invitation process, thorough and regular communications to attendees, suppliers and stakeholders
Assist with the training of new joiners
Manage and mentor a team, which may include up to 5 direct reports. Management responsibilities, if applicable, include:

Managing vacation schedules for direct reports ensuring coverage for the client at all times including providing coverage when team members are out of the office on vacation or for an event
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
Create and closely monitor value adds at every opportunity and demonstrate commercial awareness
Share knowledge of best practices, new suppliers, services and venues
Deepen relations with existing clients and maximize on all opportunities to generate new business

What We Are Looking For

Bachelor's Degree Preferred
Hospitality, Marketing, Event Management, Communications, Project Management
8-10+ years’ Event Management experience, preferably in the financial services industry or a corporate environment

Advanced experience of events, conferences, meeting and production management, including but not limited to C-level executive dinners, cocktail receptions, meetings, recognition events, and sponsorships
Extensive experience with managing senior clients in planning and execution of events
Experience managing a team of employees is a plus, but not required as not all Senior Project Manager roles have management responsibilities

Strong proficiency working in Cvent
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office
Advanced project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Extensive industry knowledge of new suppliers, venues, services, and best practices with active participation in the industry
Strong client management skills with the ability to influence and lead by example, fostering a positive environment
Strong team player, able to co-plan with colleagues and the client on large scale programs
Strong ability to create best practice and take on new initiatives independently
Client centric, approachable, ability to adjust to client needs and style and deepen relationships in support of their business and programs; adapt to ever changing demands and different client work styles
Motivated, self-starter, ability to take direction and work independently; ability to think innovatively
Travel 20-40%
Strong communication skills and empathy for complex issues

At FIRST, we believe that our success is driven by the passion, creativity, and commitment of our teams. That's why we offer a range of benefits and perks to support your personal and professional growth

Medical, Dental & Vision, which includes the option of a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health savings account (HSA)
401 (k)
Five Flexible Spending Accounts Options
Generous Paid Time Off Allowance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Life, Disability & Pet Coverages
Wellness Stipend
Mobile Phone Allowance
Complimentary access to Headspace, Teladoc, Maven, Rocket Lawyer, Mobilo & more
Aura Identity Theft Protection
Discretionary Bonus Structure
Global Opportunities: With a presence in 7 countries worldwide, including headquarters in London, New York, and Singapore, you may have the opportunity to work on exciting projects across different locations.

United States Residents:

The base pay for this position ranges from $95,167.00 to $109,441.00. 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. If any candidate feels that they are unable to meet the requirements of the role, please get in touch to discuss adjustments or other suitable roles.

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