Senior Conference Manager, Logistics in Egham

Role Purpose: To lead and manage the EMEA conferences, to design and deliver flawless, cohesive conference experiences and manage two direct reports.

What you will do:

• Primary Responsibilities:

• Flawless conference delivery of EMEA (primary focus) conferences.
• Oversee operational delivery of all logistics elements across complex in-person conferences.
• Project management including the ownership and adherence of conference timelines and templates to accurately deliver.
• Venue management including but not limited to rooms, meeting facilities, F&B, A/V production.
• Lead onsite staffing, including pre-conference trainings, briefings and creation of staff plan.
• Constantly evaluate the experience, feedback and results then implement changes accordingly.
• Create detailed post-event analysis reports and event de-briefs for review with manager/operations leads.

• Lead communication and collaboration across EMEA conference team leads.
• Ensure that decision making and recommendations align with corporate strategy and objectives.
• Support conference teams to transition from the design and delivery of individual parts to intentionally crafting an end-to-end audience journey.
• Drive consistency and innovation across the EMEA region.

• Develop detailed action plans to achieve growth including optimized space planning & capacity solutions.
• Select and effectively manage strategic partnerships with vendors.
• Clearly understand and translate the needs of the audience.
• Champion change and drive creative solutions.

• Collaborate with COE leaders to identify trends and regional impacts.
• Partner with financial planning team on overall budget health and managing risk.
• Manage and cultivate key vendor relationships.
• Negotiate on everything.

Expected Results:

• Achieve operational excellence and execute conferences on time, within budget and with great attention to detail.
• Build and maintain excellent working relationships, both internally and externally.
• New processes implemented that will help to improve operational efficiency of the team.

Key Contacts:

• Internal Contacts: Conference Financial & Future Planning, Program Management, Conferences Strategic Planning, Conference Business Solutions, Conference Exhibitor Operations, Conference Content, Creative & Research & Advisory.
• External Contacts: Third party suppliers and contractors.

What you will need:

• 8+ years Event Management experience.
• Proven event operational skills including production schedules, budget management and event staffing.
• 1+ years of proven people management/direct reports experience.
• Project management experience on detailed programs with multiple variables and dependencies.
• Proven experience in managing agency and vendor partners.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills especially with senior level professionals, cross-functionally.
• Creative, innovative and strategic thinker with a strong attention to detail.
• Strong financial management skills.
• Motivated team player with desire to learn and grow.
• Excellent written/oral communication and presentations skills.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt, implement and manage change and strive for continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive in high pressure situations.
• Confident decision maker.
• Willingness to travel approximately 15% to attend Gartner Conferences to lead operational requirements and onsite teams, both domestic and regional.