Team Lead (corporate event management experience required)

FIRST; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) plan

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Life & Disability

Wellness stipend

Headspace access

Aura identity protection

Discretionary bonus

Global opportunities

Job summary

FIRST, a global brand experience agency, seeks a Team Lead to collaborate with the Team Manager on strategic client accounts and provide on-the-ground insight across multiple initiatives. You will manage onboarding, staffing, and performance development for 5–12 direct reports while ensuring outstanding client relationships and adherence to SOPs.

Travel for on-site events up to 10% may be required. The role requires 8–10 years in event management, especially for financial services or corporate

Qualifications

• 8-10 years’ event management experience, preferably in financial services or corporate environments.
• Experience with high-profile executive events, cocktail receptions, and conferences.
• Experience with venue sourcing, contracting, negotiation, and commission collection.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 5-12 direct reports; conduct performance conversations.
• Oversee workload, capacity planning, and monthly expense approvals.
• Maintain strong client relationships; ensure delivery aligns with client objectives.
• Collaborate with Team Manager on talent development, onboarding, and continuity.

Skills

Executive events

Team leadership

Client management

Project management

Venue sourcing

Event technology

Budget management

Vendor negotiations

Stakeholder communication

Job description

Location: New York, NY or Jersey City, NJ

Work Site Type: Hybrid

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.

Location: Must be able to work in the NYC office or Jersey City, NJ office 2-3 days per week, subject to change at any time.

The Team Lead is responsible for collaborating with the Team Manager for a dedicated account, understanding the strategic approach to the client account, while providing on-the-ground insight into the client business and potential opportunities. This role will manage several company and client initiatives at a time, supporting C-level and senior stakeholders and will also be responsible for key business relationships and team management. This role may be required to support a book of work for planning, venue sourcing, attendee data management, roadshow management or event technology, depending on the role alignment.

Team Management

• Collaborate with the Team Manager to understand the strategic approach to the client account, providing on-the-ground insight into the client business and opportunities, while offering input on key challenges and driving the business with a strong understanding of the larger organizational picture
• Mentor and develop 5-12 direct reports, conducting performance development conversations and managing the process
• Oversee the team's workload, ensuring a clear understanding of capacity and pressure points through regular 1:1 meetings. Field questions and offer advice to team members to assist with creative problem solving and knowledge sharing. Manage vacation schedules, and approve monthly expenses.
• Ensure the team maintains strong, positive relationships with clients
• Collaborate with the Team Manager to ensure development opportunities, effective business coverage, and continuity, including succession planning.
• FIRST ambassador; participate and engage with FIRST initiatives and extracurricular where possible
• Lead and motivate the team to work efficiently, fostering positive communication and an open, inclusive environment that ensures good team morale.
• Liaise with the Team Manager and P&C team on talent development and recruitment for open direct report roles, while overseeing the onboarding and offboarding processes
• Active training and development of the FIRST Team. Encourage direct reports to be knowledgeable of best practices, new suppliers, services, and venues and to be proactive with ideas and creative solutions
• Liaise with stakeholders to refine workstreams for efficiency, meet evolving business requirements, and proactively assist with ad hoc projects, troubleshooting problems and optimizing workflows, particularly during periods of change
• Refine and drive best practice; ensure team adheres to firm’s SOP and compliance requirements
• Manage up; raise and elevate potential concerns and successes to management on a regular reporting basis

Project Management

• If applicable, this role may be required to support a book of work for planning, venue sourcing, attendee data management, roadshow management or event technology, depending on the role alignment within a specific client account, which includes end to end project management for the book of work assigned
• Work seamlessly with key internal partners and stakeholders on event deliverables and to understand and drive event objectives forward; consistently maintain excellent client relations even in challenging situations
• Travel for on-site management when necessary

There is a requirement for onsite events to travel domesticabroad as required - up to 10%.

Your Contributions:

What We Are Looking For

• 8-10 years’ event management experience, preferably in the financial services industry or a corporate environment
• Advanced experience of events and conferences including but not limited to C-level executive events, cocktail receptions and meetings and conferences
• Experience with venue sourcing including extensive knowledge in contracting, negotiation and commission collection may be required
• Experience with event and registration technology, particularly Cvent and Dealogic / Conference Manager may be required
• Experience with virtual platforms including but not limited to; Zoom, Webex and On24 may be required
• Extensive experience in working with and managing senior clients
• Strong leadership experience; both leading and motivating colleagues in a manner that enhances working relationships and encapsulates the company brand and values
• Advanced project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent written and oral communication skills at all levels
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, specifically Excel
• Extensive industry knowledge of new suppliers, venues, services, and best practices
• Strong client management skills with the ability to influence and lead by example, fostering a positive environment
• 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
• Leadership/influencing/negotiation and decision-making skills

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
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Life, Disability & Pet Coverages
• Wellness Stipend
• 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 $129,450.00 - $148,868.00 . This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

Please note that the national salary range listed in the job posting reflects the new hire salary range across various U.S. locations that would be applicable to the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

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.