Event Management Team Lead

Event Management Team Lead

Location: Greater London, England, United Kingdom

FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency serving clients in various industries, including financial services, technology, new & traditional media, aerospace, healthcare, and professional services. FIRST has received numerous accolades, including being listed among the 2025 Most Innovative Marketing Agencies of the Year by Chief Marketer, named Top Agency of the Year 2024 by Event Marketer, highlighted as a Global Agency of the Year, over 100 Employees by C&IT, and listed among the \”200 Top Marketing Agencies\” in 2024, 2023, & 2022 by Chief Marketer.

What You Would Get To Do

The Event Management Team Lead will assume a key role within the organization by leading and motivating colleagues in a way that enhances working relationships and encapsulates FIRST values and our client’s brand. The individual will ensure the project team delivers consistently exceptional service to our clients through excellent project management and delivers world‑class events that exceed client expectations. The position is ideal for a corporate event planning professional with prior experience managing and motivating team members.

• Coordinate staff assignments and workload for both on‑site and digital events.
• Review requests sent by the event intake team and confirm space, approvals, and other pertinent information prior to assigning.
• Advise on the planning and execution of events for designated high‑profile groups, overseeing execution of larger‑scale events.
• Support and coordinate the delivery of events as needed.
• Handle event escalations.
• Manage monthly audit reports as required by client and internal management.
• Partner with the client on various strategic initiatives and projects.
• Directly manage a team of direct reports.
• Develop, mentor, and provide feedback to team members on an on‑going basis.
• Oversee the workload of the team ensuring day‑to‑day understanding of capacity/pressure points and offering guidance on team events where required.
• Manage vacation schedules, ensuring appropriate team coverage and review all expense reports.
• Oversee the onboarding/offboarding process for all employees.
• Ensure the team adheres to standard operating procedures and compliance processes.
• Manage and promote communications to all team members to ensure maximum efficiency.
• Partner with FIRST People & Culture on all company initiatives, recruiting, and employee relations matters.
• Ensure the team maintains positive relationships with clients.
• Ensure the team is providing value to clients and seeking value‑adds where possible.
• Encourage and motivate the team to be knowledgeable of best practices and services, and to be proactive with ideas and creative solutions.

What We Are Looking For

• 8‑10+ years’ experience in industry.
• Strong people‑management skills with the ability to lead by example.
• Will be assigned to a primary location but will require flexibility to be deployed to support across the campus(es) as required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills at all levels.
• Decision maker and problem solver with a collaborative/team‑player attitude.
• Positive and caring approach to team management.
• Experience working cross‑functionally with all levels of stakeholders in a fast‑paced environment.
• Creative problem solver, resourceful, team player.
• Adaptability to situations and ever‑changing demands.
• Highly organized with the ability to handle multiple tasks to meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent time management and multitasking skills.
• Ambitious and proactive with a calm and flexible approach to handling pressure.
• Experience working on large and complex databases.
• Must be fluent in English.

Benefits

• Private Medical Insurance with BUPA from day one.
• 28 Days Annual Leave PLUS Bank Holidays.
• Personal Volunteer Day.
• 20 Days of Sick Pay each Year.
• Enhanced Parental Leave (Maternity & Paternity).
• Wellness Stipend.
• Complimentary access to Headspace, Rocket Lawyer & Maven.
• Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Season Ticket Loan.
• Mobile Phone Allowance.
• Pension Scheme Enhancements.
• 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.

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.