Senior Project Manager - Pharma

Location: London/Brackley (plus travel as required)

We are Strata! Imagine being part of a fast and exciting brand experience agency whose clients include specialists in new technology, creators of some of the most stunning electric vehicles on the planet, financial institutions, and global leaders in pharmaceutical solutions. As an agency, we elevate these brands and make them heard through immersive and memorable virtual and face-to-face experiences. As a people-first business, we encourage ambition, support and reward. We are always listening and open to your ideas, just as we do with our clients.

Job Overview

Strata are seeking a Senior Project Manager to join their expanding team and work across a broad range of events within the pharmaceutical sector. This is a pivotal role in a new team. It is essential that this individual has significant experience in delivering events across the globe and can confidently lead multiple parties through the lifecycle of a project. Regularly leading a project team, the successful candidate will be responsible for guiding and supporting colleagues to ensure seamless delivery of allocated events on time and on budget. You will have an additional focus on attendee management in pre‑production, on‑site and post‑production. This role will suit an individual who is always evolving, constantly innovating and has exceptionally high standards of delivery.

You will be the key day‑to‑day project contact for the client and be responsible for organising and co‑ordinating all the logistics of registration, travel and accommodation to ensure a flawless delegate experience. You should have the ability to build registration websites, create bespoke reporting and write/oversee delegate communication plans for the project (save the dates, invitations, registration chasers, joining instructions, departure notices etc). In addition, this role requires travel within Europe averaging around 1‑2 times per month.

We are looking for a candidate that is agile and flexible with a professional and calm headed working style who is process driven, consistent and has impeccable attention to detail.

• Experience of working with pharmaceutical clients in the events industry is essential.
• The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the below experience:

• Lead by example, operating to an exceptional level of delivery and demand this from all members of the project team.
• Act as the first point of contact on a project‑by‑project basis for both client and delegates.
• Efficiently and successfully organise and co‑ordinate the logistics and administration of all registration, travel and accommodation requirements.
• Manage variety of events ranging from 10 to 500 attendees.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage multiple complex projects of up to €500+ with multiple meetings/dinners in a calm and composed manner.
• Experience in congresses, pharma standalone meetings, ad boards, product launches working across multiple departments in the agency i.e. delegate management/warehouse operations & logistics.
• Be able to multitask and prioritise to manage all client and internal expectations in a fast‑paced environment.
• Interpretation and delivery of the client's brief through creating compelling, creative and thorough proposals.
• Strong management of the client relationship throughout and the ability to challenge and suggest alternatives where necessary.
• Creation and management of a granular project planner detailing all milestones and ensuring the project is delivered in a timely and efficient manner.
• Management of a team of colleagues to ensure all roles and responsibilities are clear and the project is delivered seamlessly at all levels.
• The ability to chair conference calls with all client agencies (i.e. Med Comms, Media, PR), ensuring sessions are productive and all parties are clear on actions and deadlines.
• Confidently negotiate with all suppliers ensuring that SLAs for savings and negotiations are achieved and contractual terms and conditions are favourable.
• Must have strong, global venue knowledge.
• Oversee venue searches, making informed recommendations and leading client site visits.
• Ongoing liaison, communication and management of all suppliers, ensuring that all arrangements are fully understood and delivered to an exceptional level.
• Oversee accommodation room blocks, including managing attrition and create logical transfer manifests.
• Supervision of resource to ensure that scope is managed and projects are delivered within agreed timeframes to maximise margins.
• Preparation and ongoing management of large, complex budgets in multiple currencies, ensuring 100% accuracy and fluctuations are justified.
• Putting together and justifying management fees for projects in line with corporate commercial objectives.
• Leadership of onsite team, ensuring the delivery of the event is seamless and exceeds the client's expectations.
• Facilitate the development of an Event App ensuring quality content and working with the client to ensure that the App is utilised throughout the event.
• Preparing and collating all Health & Safety and Crisis Management documentation to ensure proactive and thorough disaster recovery is in place for all events.
• Attend the client's offices in Marlow as/when required.
• Produce exciting, forward thinking and creative proposals for new business opportunities within the account.
• Confidently participate in face‑to‑face pitches for new business should the need arise.
• Facilitate post‑event debriefs (both internal and client) employing a critical eye and ensuring continuous improvement in all areas and sharing best practice across all involved.
• Reconcile all events within agreed timelines, ensuring all relevant paperwork is supplied in the required format.
• Be the gatekeeper at all times for compliance, ensuring the high standards of the events are met but within the requisite guidelines.
• Mentor and develop more junior members of the team.
• Experience in maintaining key hotel and destination supplier relationships.
• Produce, review, monitor and action all event related documentation, including health and safety documents, crisis management plans, onsite manuals and detailed minute by minute working schedules for the entire team.
• Creation of delegate communications plan for each event and production of all written delegate communication; proofing and editing of mailing elements and communications.

Employee Benefits

• 25 days annual leave, plus usual Bank Holidays
• Birthday day off
• Private Health Insurance*
• Workplace pension scheme
• Death in service scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Regular social events

*Upon successful completion of a 6‑month probation period

Our Principles

We are a people‑first brand experience agency with a set of core principles that guide our every action by measuring:

• A win for the client: Client success is at the forefront of everything we do. We measure our success by the impact we make for our clients. We strive to exceed your expectations, delivering moments that matter with results that matter.
• A win for the company: We believe in long‑term partnerships and sustainable growth. When your business prospers, so does ours. Our commitment to excellence and innovation means we're always ahead of the curve, offering you the best brand experiences.
• A win for the team: Our team is the lifeblood of our agency. We celebrate diversity, promote collaboration, and foster an inclusive culture where every team member feels valued and empowered. When our team thrives, their passion and dedication is reflected in everything we deliver.
• A win for you: Whether you're engaging us for your events, already fostering a career at Strata, or considering one, our goal is to create a win for you. We're dedicated to providing our employees with an enriching workplace that supports their growth and well‑being. For our clients, a win means achieving your objectives and making your brand shine.
• A win for the planet: We are committed to making environmentally responsible choices in our work. We recognise our responsibility to minimise our impact on the planet and contribute to a sustainable future. From eco‑friendly event practices to conscious resource management, we aim to create events that are a win for the environment.

Diversity at Strata

At Strata, people are at the heart of who we are. We recognise and value the diverse and unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that each individual brings. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels respected, heard, valued, and empowered. We strive to create an innovative, creative, and inclusive environment where all employees and applicants can thrive. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Recruitment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, and business needs. Embracing diversity isn't just our goal, it's our strength, driving us towards a more inclusive future.