ABOUT OUR COMPANY
FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency providing Content, Creative, Digital Technology, Management & Delivery, and Data & Insights services. Operating as a full-service agency partner or through embedding specialist talent into client teams, FIRST brings brands and people together through creative, connected experiences.
FIRST works with clients across various industries, including financial services, technology, new & traditional media, aerospace, healthcare, and professional services. FIRST has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the Top 150 Event Organizers & Agencies in the USA by Eventex, being listed among the "200 Top Marketing Agencies" in 2023, 2022 & 2021 by Chief Marketer, being recognized as one of the "50 Top Event Companies" by Special Events, being included in the Top 100 "Best Places to Work in NYC" by Crain's New York Business, and being listed as one of the "1000 Companies to Inspire Britain" by The London Stock Exchange Group.
Learn more at www.firstagency.com
A welcoming, creative and ambitious workplace that offers personal and professional growth for all individuals. At FIRST, you'll find:
- A welcoming workplace that fosters diversity and belonging with a focus on team members feeling valued, respected, and supported.
- Creative teams that enjoy challenging work with an ability to make an impact on those around them.
- An experiential organization that cares about the development and career experience of each employee, focusing on excellence and flexibility with the right balance of structure to thrive.
What You Would Get To Do:
The Director of Event Services will be responsible for the Event Production and Event Management teams service delivery in the APAC region. The role will ensure effective team resourcing, aligning procedures and processes, and utilize highly effective communication skills with the immediate team and management within FIRST & our client stakeholders. The ideal candidate will motivate colleagues in a way that enhances working relationships, develops a team-based approach to situations and encapsulates the FIRST brand, working as an implanted team member for a well-known Fortune 500 technology company. This role will be based in Singapore and oversee both Singapore and Sydney based teams & services and work globally with leaders based in New York and London.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong technical & production experience in the event industry, as well as knowledge of event management holistically, who can assume a senior management role within an organisation.
Your Contributions
Client Management
- Act as a point of contact for account- including management of relationships with key senior level clients
- Identify new and alternative ways of approaching FIRST’s service offering to clients by collecting feedback, identifying trends and implementing change
- Develop a strategy for growth and ensure FIRST is seen to be -a strategic advisor, providing proactive (or forward-thinking) guidance and direction
- Partner with leadership and delivery teams to conduct quarterly account reviews with account leadership and client stakeholders
- Proactively look for ways to streamline processes, identify best practices and new solutions
- Meet with key stakeholders to build and maintain effective working relationships through weekly meetings and management of event pipeline
- Work closely with Global Account Director and with wider agency office for additional services outside of in-house remit
- Report status and manage client expectations on production escalation and issues
Team Management
- Serve as the primary escalation point in-region for the Event Management and Event Production teams.
- Serve as local expert on FIRST processes, and assist teams in navigating successful support from clients and FIRST
- Infuse FIRST brand by creating a positive mind-set within the team and lead the integration of wider agency skills and resources into relevant projects and events
- Provide support and mentorship to Event Production and Event Management Team Leads
- Be solutions driven and support the wider team
- Monitor day-to-day challenges to identify ways to improve efficiencies and processes as well as implement trainings; for both Event Management and Event Production teams
- Ensure the team is providing value to clients and offering value adds where possible
- Manage regional team engagement and budget
- Provide regular updates to the client on recruitment status for open roles
- Partner with the FIRST People & Culture team on all company initiatives and employee relations matters
- Focus on retention of talent through maintaining team welfare, gathering feedback, and enhancing a positive working atmosphere
Staffing Management
- Monitor & forecast team capacity levels, to ensure proper staffing and reporting
- Support key projects on-site as needed to evaluate staffing levels
- Support in monitoring and re-engineering of current teams by identifying gaps and/or opportunities, driving efficiencies, and implementing best practices
- Provide reports that aid in optimum resourcing and staffing
Data, Commercials & Finance
- Understand data requirements and actively collaborate with Data team to ensure delivery of accurate reports
- Collaborate with the Account Operations team to ensure charges to the client are accurate and make adjustments to fees as appropriate
- Review and approve freelancer and supplier invoices and time-worked entries
- Troubleshoot any invoice issues with suppliers, freelancers and Finance team
What We Are Looking For
Please be aware that we know experience does not always look like we describe it. If you believe you would be an excellent fit for this role, please apply - we would love to see how you could fit at First.
- 10+ years’ experience in event operations, account management, or similar field preferred
- Experience overseeing a large team and working in a global organization
- Strong change management background
- Bachelor’s Degree required
- Excellent project and task management skills including experience in conference planning, experiential events, digital events and/or production
- Experience managing direct reports and processes in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
- Experience implementing and maintaining SOPs
- Self-directed with ability to work independently
Administrative and General:
- Highly organised with the ability to handle multiple tasks to meet strict deadlines
- Excellent time management and multi-tasking skills
- Ambitious and proactive with a calm and flexible approach to handling pressure
- Must be able to use G Suite products such as Sheets, Docs, Gmail, Calendar, Drive, and Forms.
- Strong presentation skills
- Strong skills in creating engaging and useful documentation.
- Must be able to interview potential candidates for a variety of positions for technical and non technical positions.
- Strong team player
