Senior Manager: Meeting and Events

Overview

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial, collaborative, and diverse firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Business Development and Marketing department in our Chicago office, as a Senior Manager: Meeting and Events.

The Senior Manager: Meeting and Events is responsible for setting the overall direction and objectives for all US-based in-person and virtual client events and select intra-company events to ensure that they align with the Firm’s business development goals and brand standards.  The role will also be directly responsible for managing a combination of national, practice/industry, client team and office-based events as well as involvement with the Global Partners Meeting.  Reporting to the Senior Director: Global Business Development and Marketing Operations, the candidate will work closely with industry professionals, Business Development and Marketing teammates, and other colleagues.  

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:     

• Leads the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of all US-based in-person and virtual client events, ensuring alignment with business development goals and brand standards
• Engages with internal clients to determine goals/objectives for client and select intra-company on-and off-site events, providing expert guidance and recommendations
• Employs a comprehensive approach to evaluating the success of events, including outlining a post-event analysis focused on goal achievement and ROI
• Researches, solicits proposals from, and conducts site visits and inspections of potential event properties, including hotels and resorts, restaurants, bar/lounges, and special event spaces. Prepares visual presentations and/or cost-comparison spreadsheets of venue recommendations, as requested
• Oversees the development and maintenance of database of venues, vendors and other external relationships to streamline the event planning process
• Develops and manages budgets of varying sizes, tracking and preparing reports for key stakeholders
• Develops and implements best practices, policies, and workflow procedures to ensure the efficient and effective execution of all events, including opportunities for continuous improvement
• Develops and manages event timelines, communicating deadlines and assignments to marketing business services professionals and consultants, as necessary
• Uses the firm’s CRM system to run reports, manage lists, and track RSVPs, attendance, follow-up, etc.
• Negotiate cost-effective prices for all events and related services, utilizing resources in other offices and use established vendor relationships when possible
• Review contracts and interface with procurement and internal legal departments
• Collaborate with our graphic design team on invitations, ads, signage and event collateral and other design projects
• Utilize and keep current Business Development & Marketing department calendar of events
• Create innovative and unique ideas for client events and select intra-company activities
• Coordinate all logistical details for client and select intra-company events that may include monitoring cut-off dates on hotel rooms, guarantee dates, attrition and cancellation clauses, travel, menu planning, transportation arrangements, meeting room set-ups, audio visual equipment, speakers, recreational activities, management of invitation/rsvp process and execute any other related services in conjunction with the event
• Provide on-site management at event as necessary
• Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives

Qualifications

Education/Training/Certifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered in lieu of the degree when the experience has been directly related to the functions of the job
• CMP, CSEP, or CMM certification strongly preferred

Professional Experience: 

• Minimum 10-15 years professional corporate events planning experience
• Excellent vendor relationships and negotiating skills
• Strong knowledge of destinations, hotels, event facilities and related vendors
• Law firm experience a plus

Technical Skills: 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
• Experience and familiarity with InterAction and Vuture a plus

Performance Traits: 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm and outside vendors
• Ability to work in a diverse team environment and effectively support the demanding needs of the Firm
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines with shifting priorities
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative
• Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
• Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills

Management Accountabilities:

• Manages processes for direct reports in regards to performance appraisals, annual compensation, goal setting and performance counselling
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience
• Operational budget analysis and recommendations
• Conducts analysis of staffing levels and participation in the recruitment process
• Able to determine and implement change processes to improve workflow efficiencies
• Process- and service-oriented with strong leadership and project management skills
• Able to set priorities and delegate in an efficient manner

Physical Requirements:

• May require occasional travel to other offices and venues in the US

The typical pay scale for this position is between $144,400 and $191,000, although the actual wage or salary could be lower or higher if the candidate’s education, experience, skills and internal pay alignment are different from those specified. 

The above is a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

The Firm may modify and amend this job description at any time at its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

Thank you for your interest in Mayer Brown. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities and disabled veterans. To request a reasonable accommodation related to the application process and/or job interview, please email uslateralrecruiting@mayerbrown.com. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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Salary : $144,400 - $191,000