Senior Events Manager

Orrick currently has an excellent opportunity for a Senior Events Manager in our Houston, Austin or Chicago offices.

The Objective: As a Senior Events Manager you will be responsible for leading the strategic planning and flawless execution of a wide range of internal and external events, as well as strategic projects. Events will include virtual events and webinars, as well as in-person gatherings, from intimate client dinners to major conferences, sponsorships, and retreats. You will serve as a strategic partner to stakeholders globally, ensuring a consistent and high-quality events offering throughout. Our ideal candidate will have a proven track record of planning and executing high-level events with a white glove approach. You should be highly skilled in project management and adept at collaborating across teams and regions.

How will I spend my time? You will spend most of your time on these responsibilities:

Event Planning

• Oversee the entire lifecycle of events from inception to completion, including stakeholder meetings, internal vendor coordination, budget management, and internal and external communications.
• Act as a primary liaison for event planning, ensuring all events reflect the firm's broader Events strategy, branding, and overall experience.
• Coordinate with event speakers, manage pre-event communication, preparation calls, and on-site management. Develop and maintain working relationships with industry venues, event contacts, and vendors.
• Define and establish event goals, responsibilities, project plans, and approved budgets well and execute seamlessly on all.
• Oversee all logistical aspects, including venue selection and creative vision, catering, AV/IT requirements, event schedules, staffing, materials, name tags, signage, promotional items, post-event follow-ups, and ROI tracking.
• Collaborate with internal departments to address event needs, such as design, content creation, and accreditation processes.
• Propose, procure, and manage the distribution of client takeaways and gifts (including branded items).
• Develop and manage budgets for all events and sponsorships, closely monitoring expenditures to ensure alignment with budgetary constraints and to maximize ROI.

1. Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor team members, providing guidance on best practices around events, strategy, communications, and overall standards of excellence.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment, encouraging open communication and the sharing of ideas.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to support professional growth and development.
• Help to build and maintain processes and detailed tracking across systems to ensure efficiency and consistency in event planning and execution.
• Delegate tasks effectively, ensuring team members are empowered and equipped to take ownership of their responsibilities.
• Organize and lead team meetings to align on goals, track progress, and address any challenges or opportunities.
• Develop and implement training programs to enhance team skills and knowledge in event management and related areas.
• Act as a point of escalation for any issues or conflicts within the team, working to resolve them promptly and effectively.
• Recognize and celebrate team achievements and milestones to maintain high morale and motivation.
• Collaborate with senior management to recruit and onboard new team members, ensuring they are well-integrated and supported.

1. Communications

• Lead the strategic development and deployment of event invitations and collateral, ensuring seamless RSVP management and post-event attendee tracking through the CRM system.
• Produce comprehensive briefing materials on event attendees, incorporating financial and competitive intelligence, as well as detailed biographical information.
• Compile and present thorough post-event materials, including final attendance reports, budget summaries, and follow-up reports for attorney action.
• Oversee the promotion of events on internal tracking calendars, Orrick.com, and the Orrick portal, ensuring maximum visibility and engagement.
• Evaluate the need for additional promotional efforts, coordinating with relevant teams such as social media, press, and other marketing channels to enhance event reach and impact.

1. Strategy

• Collaborate closely with BD, Sales and Client teams to identify market trends, client needs, and competitor strategies, leveraging these insights to inform and optimize event opportunities.
• Help to maintain a comprehensive event calendar encompassing all internal and external events, sponsorships, and speaking engagements globally.
• Ensure the CRM and document management systems are consistently updated with all relevant materials, data, and budget totals.
• Evaluate sponsorship opportunities by analyzing their benefits, providing recommendations on their value, and ensuring firm brand accuracy across relevant events to maximize ROI.
• Act as the regional expert for onsite logistics, offsite venues, and vendor management.

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Business, Marketing or another relevant field; Or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years' experience in event planning and management is required.

• Proven experience leading teams, ideally within a professional services environment, or equivalent high-performing organization.
• Integrity, tact, and professionalism in dealing with sensitive information and maintaining client confidence.
• Absolute trustworthiness, confidentiality, and discretion.
• Demonstrated superb, consistent judgement.
• Exceptional project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with a high degree of detail and accuracy.
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate needs, identify opportunities, and drive initiatives to completion. Strong problem-solving skills.
• A collaborative and team-oriented mindset, with the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, results-driven environment.
• A passion for challenging the status quo, a hunger for greatness, and an unwavering commitment to achieving extraordinary results.
• A good listener with a growth mindset and proven ability to adapt quickly to change and exhibit a high degree of flexibility.
• Self-confident without being self-important, intellectually curious, thoughtful, considerate, and decent. A disdain for organizational politics, gamesmanship, and positioning.
• Able and willing to travel at least once per month as required for events and team needs, but typically no more than twice per month.

Who is Orrick? Orrick is a global law firm focused on serving the technology & innovation, energy & infrastructure and finance sectors. Founded more than 150 years ago in San Francisco, Orrick today has offices in 25+ markets worldwide. We are recognized worldwide for delivering the highest-quality legal advice through our diverse teams and for our culture of innovation and collaboration. Financial Times selected Orrick as the Most Digital Firm of 2020, and in the past five years, the Most Innovative Law Firm of the Year three times and runner-up twice. For the ninth year in a row, Fortune named Orrick to its 2024 list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For. Learn more about our awesome employee experience here: Fortune 100 Great Place To Work certified company*.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is between $88,000 - $113,000.

Orrick is committed to providing a comprehensive, competitive, and thoughtful total compensation package to our attorneys and staff, wherever they work. This compensation and benefits information is based on the Orrick's estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant experience or education, particular skills or expertise, geography. Other compensation may include an annual discretionary merit bonus, which would be determined by Firm and individual performance.

We offer a full range of elective health benefits including medical, dental, vision and life insurances; robust mental well-being benefits; child, family, elder, and pet care benefits; short- and long-term disability benefits; a health savings account (w/applicable medical plan), flexible spending accounts, long-term care insurance, and a 401K program. This role is eligible to employees will receive compensated time off through our Flexible Time Off program, generous Parental leave benefits, and paid holidays.

Please visit www.orrick.com for more information about the firm.

How to Apply: If you are searching for a chance to create an impact, you have a little grit and you love working with a team, we want to talk with you. To submit your resume and cover letter for this position, please visit our Staff and Paralegal Opportunities Listings at www.orrick.com/Careers. Orrick accepts applications for this position on an ongoing basis, until filled.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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