Director of Meetings and Events

Brand: Emota

Location: Ashby-de-la-Zouch or Manchester (hybrid working min 2 days a week in office)

Reporting to: Head of Meetings and Events, UK and Europe

Direct reports: Project Directors and Senior Project Directors

A bit about the role … As an experienced Leader in the field of Meetings and Events (M&E), this vitally important position requires you to oversee one of our 8 teams in the delivery of meetings, events and congresses for a portfolio of world-renowned clients. Your creative vision will guide the seamless planning and delivery of different meetings and events. Collaborating with company partners and teams across the whole of Emota and Inizio Engage XD, you will be at the forefront of our business' mission to create extraordinary experiences, achieve our client's goals and help support the Emota Leadership Team to grow our business.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to you including volunteer days, enhanced annual leave with an option to buy/sell, company pension, life and health insurance and many other benefits.

You will…

• Client Relationship and Growth: Put yourself front and centre of building client relationships; and through excellence in meeting and events delivery and leadership, you will position us for organic business growth. Maintain the highest agency and client standards. Identify new prospects by partner relationships. Partner with Inizio Engage XD Client Engagement team to develop M&E growth strategy for your accounts while identifying opportunities to cross-sell existing work into new areas. Fulfil the implementation of the projects in the growth plan. Lead the pitch process in collaboration with internal creative and strategy teams, working with Client Engagement to tailor content to clients tone and business strategy. Prepare and participate in client review meetings and provide metrics for M&E. Be accountable for compliance (both personal and team) with company and client regulations and compliance records, service level agreements and other contract terms.
• Projects: Develop and fulfil briefs including accountability for scope of work. Project lead appropriate projects. Attend on-site at Meetings and Events held both nationally and internationally.
• Financial Management: Competently work within our financial tools to manage team and client financials. Be accountable for the commercial health of the sum of the team projects. Collaborate with Client Engagement, prepare and provide M&E financials for the monthly forecast submission. Be accountable for financial compliance for all projects following client and company policy. Be responsible for budget approvals and margin accomplishment of projects for your accounts. Manage team utilization targets in collaboration with the Operations team. Demonstrate commercial acumen.
• Staff Development and Management: Work with the Operations team to ensure resources are managed to maximise profitability while promoting work/life balance of your team members. Be accountable for the development, training, and engagement of your team in collaboration with line managers and by using company training resources and our performance review process. Conduct scheduled 1:1s with your direct reports to ensure they are supported to fulfil their roles and mentored in their career journey. Foster a supportive and growth-oriented environment through proactive performance management addressing employee-related challenges (through collaboration with HR Partners) to enhance team productivity and satisfaction. Empower Project Directors whilst building a relationship with the client that enhances long-term partnership and white space growth.
• General: Be an ambassador for the agency. Ensure compliance with all company platforms and procedures including those relating to Health & Safety. Ensure adherence to healthcare compliance regulations. Promote an environment of respect, collaboration, transparency and fun where no one is more important than another. Attend and positively contribute at management meetings as applicable. Comply with and monitor all holiday and sickness of your team. Participate in the interview process and comply with company policy with regard to recruitment of your team. Understand, apply, and promote our mission, vision and values. Mindful of environmental sustainability in all aspects of your role and incorporate this mindset in your approach. Attend industry and supplier events for networking and knowledge.

What do you need to have …

• A solid background (11+ years) within the Meetings and Events industry in both project delivery and team leadership roles.
• Experience working for pharmaceutical / healthcare clients in event delivery.
• International event and agency experience.
• Client management and relationship experience.
• Solid financial knowledge with previous experience managing an annual revenue and staffing budget.
• The ability to lead on RFP opportunities for Emota Meeting and Events.
• A customer-centric attitude.
• An attitude that fosters a culture of respect and inclusivity, with clients, team and supplier partnerships.
• A proven ability to manage a happy and motivated team.
• Previous experience applying your knowledge of a client's business to the implementation of M&E projects – goals, strategy, operational service level agreements, tools and methodologies, structures and platforms.
• A flexibility and desire to travel both nationally and internationally and manage busy event schedules on-site.
• The flexibility and desire to commute between offices to provide a physical presence and support to your team.

A bit about us …. Emota is an award-winning global events agency that creates and delivers engaging, impactful experiences. Part of Inizio Engage XD, we are an unusually shaped communications group that creates experiences that inspire lasting change. We partner with clients to provide employee engagement, learning and training solutions, scientific engagement and capability building, all underpinned by applied behavioural science. We engage internal and external audiences through the delivery of live and virtual experiences, film, digital, and immersive content.

Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! Our company is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role, but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others.