Senior Events Manager - Talent Development - London/Birmingham - 12 Month FTC

The Events Manager will play a pivotal role within the Talent Development Centre of Excellence, focusing on the creation and management of an events team dedicated to supporting large-scale face-to-face events. This role involves collaborating with internal Procurement teams and external event delivery vendors to ensure seamless execution of events. Additionally, the Events Manager will work closely with Talent Development professionals to ensure that events effectively convey learning content and meet development objectives.

Your key responsibilities

• You will oversee a portfolio of strategically important, internal events delivered in person or hybrid. These include:

• Student Induction – the annual onboarding event for c.1000 new graduate and school leaver hires, creating a high-impact and engaging experience.

• Career milestone events – large-scale learning and celebration events to mark key promotion stages.

• Scaled learning events – for key populations to build skills though peer-exchange, keynote speakers and communicate strategic messaging from leadership

• Manage a small inhouse Events Team: build and lead a team of L&D professionals whose specialise in event deployment with the expertise to deliver high-quality, large-scale events. Providing subject matter expertise to the wider TD team.

• Event Planning and Execution: Oversee the planning, organisation, and delivery of events, ensuring all logistical details are meticulously managed, providing the central point of contact to bring together the following activities/stakeholders:

• Vendor Liaison: Coordinate with external events delivery vendors to secure services that meet the organization’s standards and requirements.

• Procurement Coordination: Work with internal Procurement teams to source necessary materials and services, ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality.

• Collaboration with Talent Development: Partner with Talent Development professionals to align event content with learning objectives and development goals.

• Stakeholder Management: Engage with key stakeholders to gather requirements, provide updates, and ensure satisfaction with event outcomes.

• Creative management of content, messaging and event design for an exceptional immersive delegate experience that aligns to the EY brand and strategy

• Budget Management: Develop and manage event budgets, ensuring that all events are delivered within financial constraints.

• Quality Assurance: Implement best practices and continuous improvement processes to enhance the quality and impact of events. Proactively identify and resolve risks.

• Continual improvement: Use innovative approaches and new ways of working by creating and championing new ideas, channels and tools. Conduct post-event evaluations to assess success and identify areas for improvement.

• Strong negotiation skills with venues, suppliers and sponsors

• Experience of working in large/matrix B2B organisations, balancing multiple stakeholder requirements

• Exceptional stakeholder management and relationship development skills

• Strong commercial drive and the ability to deliver high-value activities that deliver return on investment

• Creative expertise for event design and content that aligns with the quality and expectations of the EY brand

• A desire to embrace and drive change whilst identifying and supporting process improvements and demonstrating best practice

• Ability to work at pace; adopting a flexible mindset to manage multiple priorities effectively and pivot across changing needs

• Possess a high degree of initiative and independent judgment with excellent troubleshooting, decision-making, and follow-through skills

• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate strategy into achievable creative and commercial plans

• To confidently navigate ambiguity and uncertainty through change, demonstrating tenacity and resilience as a role model to others across the Talent Development function

• Strong understanding of current market trends and opportunities

To qualify for the role, you must have

• Proven experience in project managing large-scale and high profile conferences

• Knowledge of the full spectrum of brand, marketing, and communications disciplines with particular emphasis on marketing automation and digital.

• Experience in managing and leading teams

• Experience in successfully working with third parties to deliver innovative events

• Experience of utilising conferencing software (e.g. Cvent)

We offer a competitive remuneration package where you’ll be rewarded for your individual and team performance. Our comprehensive Total Rewards package includes support for flexible working and career development, and with FlexEY you can select benefits that suit your needs, covering holidays, health and well-being, insurance, savings and a wide range of discounts, offers and promotions. Plus, we offer:

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.

• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.

• Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.

• Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.