Senior Event Project Manager - Pharma

Overview

Senior Event Project Manager to join Strata and work across a broad range of events within the pharmaceutical sector. This pivotal role supports a new team, delivering events globally and leading multiple parties through the project lifecycle. The role requires experience delivering events across the globe, and the ability to lead a project team to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery with a strong focus on attendee management in pre-production, on-site, and post-production.

The successful candidate will be the key day-to-day project contact for the client, responsible for coordinating all logistics of registration, travel and accommodation to ensure a flawless delegate experience. You should be able to build registration websites, create bespoke reporting, and write/oversee delegate communications (save the dates, invitations, registration chasers, joining instructions, departure notices, etc.).

Travel within Europe averaging around 1-2 times per month is required. The ideal candidate is agile, professional, calm under pressure, process-driven, consistent, and has impeccable attention to detail. Experience in the pharmaceutical industry is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example, delivering at an exceptional level and setting standards for the project team.
• Act as the first point of contact for clients and delegates on a project-by-project basis.
• Organise and coordinate logistics and administration of registration, travel and accommodation.
• Manage events ranging from 10 to 500 attendees.
• Oversee multiple complex projects (up to e500+), with multiple meetings/dinners, in a calm and efficient manner.
• Experience in congresses, pharma standalone meetings, advisory boards, product launches, working across departments (delegate management, warehouse operations, logistics).
• Multitask, prioritise, and manage client and internal expectations in a fast-paced environment.
• Interpret client briefs and develop compelling, thorough proposals.
• Manage client relationships and provide constructive challenges or alternatives when needed.
• Develop and maintain a granular project plan with milestones to ensure timely delivery.
• Lead and coordinate a team to ensure clear roles and seamless delivery at all levels.
• Chair conference calls with client agencies to ensure productive sessions and clear actions.
• Negotiate with suppliers to achieve savings and favorable terms within contractual guidelines.
• Maintain strong, global venue knowledge; oversee venue searches and client site visits.
• Coordinate all supplier communications to ensure delivery to a high standard.
• Oversee accommodation blocks and manage attrition; create transfer manifests.
• Manage resource to keep scope in check and maximise margins; monitor budgets in multiple currencies with accuracy.
• Develop and justify management fees aligned with commercial objectives.
• Lead onsite teams to ensure seamless event delivery and exceptional client satisfaction.
• Facilitate development of an Event App and ensure content is used throughout the event.
• Prepare Health & Safety and Crisis Management documentation for proactive disaster recovery planning.
• Attend client offices in Marlow as required.
• Produce innovative proposals for new business opportunities; participate in face-to-face pitches if needed.
• Conduct post-event debriefs, identify improvements, and share best practices.
• Reconcile events within timelines and ensure required paperwork is completed; ensure compliance and high standards.
• Mentor junior team members and maintain key hotel and destination supplier relationships.
• Produce and review event documentation including health and safety and crisis management plans; prepare minute-by-minute team schedules.
• Create delegate communications plans and produce all written delegate communications with proofing and editing as required.

Requirements

• Significant experience delivering events in pharma or related sectors; global event delivery experience required.
• Experience managing end-to-end event logistics (registration, travel, accommodation) and attendee management.
• Strong ability to manage large, multi-faceted projects and budgets; experience with complex scheduling and multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent client relationship management and communication skills; ability to challenge and suggest alternatives.
• Proven leadership and team management capabilities; ability to mentor more junior staff.
• Experience in negotiating with suppliers and managing contracts/SLA expectations.
• Strong knowledge of venue selection, site visits, and risk management.
• Willingness to travel across Europe (~1-2 times per month).
• Professional, calm, and detail-oriented work style; ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Pharma industry experience is essential.

Employee Benefits

• 25 days annual leave, plus usual Bank Holidays
• Health Insurance *
• Cycle to work scheme

*On completion of 6 months’ probation period

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Project Management

Industries

Events Services