Global Events Manager
Travelport
- Langley, Berkshire
- Permanent
- Full-time
- In partnership with Commercial Marketing colleagues, provide strategic oversight for the end-to-end annual event plan, working with key stakeholders across Travelport Commercial Teams to build a strategy aligned to commercial goals.
- Oversee successful planning and execution of events in line with the annual event plan; manage event budgets, negotiate contracts with vendors, and oversee logistics, including booth design and build, venue/space selection, sponsorship packages, catering, audio-visual requirements, and event collateral (marketing materials, SWAG etc.) - ensuring the best price points are being achieved.
- Ownership of event experience, ensuring that employees, customers, and prospects receive optimal onsite support and engagement, and all onsite operational and administrative functions are well managed.
- Provide end-to-end visibility and overall coordination of event-related workstreams, especially pre-event execution (booth design and build, content, branding, sales engagement and readiness, and awareness through digital and social media) - and post-event execution, to evaluate event performance, commercial impact, provide post-event reporting and lessons learned to optimize future events.
- Collaborate with Commercial Marketing and Brand teams on themes, messaging, and design to ensure events align with brand messaging and corporate strategy, supporting lead generation and customer retention efforts.
- Identify and recommend preferred agencies and partner with Procurement stakeholders to manage vendor agreements to optimize investments.
- Travel to on-site inspections as needed ahead of Travelport sponsored VIP events.
- Adopt a mindset of continuous improvement across all elements of event infrastructure to streamline process, collaboration, and execution - plus reporting on ROI and business value based on objectives.
- Stay updated on industry trends, competitor events, and best practices to bring innovative, fun, creative and resourceful ideas to enhance event plans and experience.
- Multi-year experience in event strategy, management, and execution - covering Tradeshows and owned events, including high-end executive events - and preferably in a global role.
- Relationship-building and engagement skills; adapting personal style to suit situations/stakeholders.
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
- An excellent collaborator focused on outcomes for the business, strong in stakeholder management and with excellent interpersonal skills.
- Strong project management and multitasking abilities - in this role, you will be juggling competing priorities, directing multiple overlapping workstreams and solving problems on the fly.
- Happy and excited to travel and for international experiences.
- A motivated self-starter with a positive attitude.
- MS Office Suite proficient
- Understanding/awareness of Travel Technology and Commerce and the travel industry environment is a bonus but not essential.