Group Events Manager

Theo Paphitis Retail Group is made up of Ryman, Robert Dyas, Boux Avenue and London Graphic Centre, and is passionate about retail. It is a private group of businesses owned by its Chairman, Theo Paphitis, one of the UK’s most high profile business leaders.

The group is also passionate about putting on a variety of creative, memorable events that include an annual colleague conference, a trade show exhibition day with our trusted suppliers, an annual small business networking event, charity events, their summer party ‘TPRG-Fest’, smaller internal events, an Art Prize Awards event and loads more.

That’s where you could come in…!

The role and its key responsibilities

• To plan, organise and deliver all TPRG and associated events, meetings and conferences throughout the annual calendar.
• To negotiate costs, agreements and terms with third-party suppliers in line with the agreed budget and guidelines from the Board.
• To maintain and deliver on budget requirements.
• To provide creative input on all events and to work closely with the Group Communications Director.
• To work with events production companies; briefing them in on requirements, negotiating costs and ensuring a continued good working relationship.
• To manage a team of up to 35 of our internal colleague volunteers.
• To analyse data to feedback on event activities for future learning.
• Bringing creativity and attention to detail in all that you do.
• To establish strong relationships with all key stakeholders.
• To manage pre-event and onsite communication with internal and external presenters, colleagues, delegates and third-party suppliers.
• To devise detailed timeline plans and critical paths for delivery including schedules, task assignments, equipment and everything required to deliver an event.
• To recommend suppliers and negotiate the best terms for the highest quality of service within budget.
• Be a creative thinker with a flair and passion for theming, design, costumes & ensuring high-quality/impactful events.
• To source venues, caterers and suppliers and negotiate costs in line with the agreed budget and requirements.
• To design event literature and marketing materials.
• To effectively communicate with attendees in order to confirm and gather all necessary information required for events.
• To create detailed proposals and event briefs.
• To identify all aspects of event risk assessment and crisis management planning strategies. This includes any required event security.
• To troubleshoot any issues relating to the execution of events and consult the Communications Director as appropriate.
• To provide post-event analysis, budget recaps, participant feedback, reconciliation reports and incorporate any learnings into future plans.
• To bring fun and create memorable events for TPRG!

Skills and Experience

• Proven events management experience in a fast paced, demanding environment.
• Experience in leading multiple projects and large events (over 500 pax).
• Events qualification or equivalent.
• Passionate, resilient, results-oriented leader and a team player.
• Creative and all about injecting fun and purpose into events.
• Proven experience of proactively identifying challenges before they become problems and reactively solving issues that arise.
• Avid attention to detail during the planning and delivery of events.
• Experiencing in managing and negotiating budgets and the ability to work on event forecasts.
• Excellent influencing skills with the ability to thrive under pressure.
• Experience of managing events companies and sourcing/working with a variety of third party suppliers.
• Strong decision maker, outstanding time management, problem solving and organisational skills.
• Ability to anticipate needs, prioritise and work to tight deadlines.
• Willingness to take initiative and to adapt a ‘can-do’ and flexible attitude.
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal.
• Proven experience with IT programmes such as Google Suite and Microsoft including Slides/Powerpoint, Docs/Word and Sheets/Excel.
• Experience of using Canva, Adobe Suite or other creative apps (a nice to have).

Personal Characteristics

• Self-confident and creative individual who will be able to work collaboratively, establish and sustain strong working relationships with the senior management team, Board of Directors and departments all around the business.
• Highly adaptable, pragmatic, efficient and work proactively, striving for the company to successfully meet its goals.
• High levels of resilience, energy and enthusiasm, but able to remain calm and focussed under pressure.
• Confident in sharing opinions backed up with sound reasoning.
• Common sense with a positive approach and outlook.
• Good at identifying and solving problems.
• Just as comfortable in the limelight as in the background. This is a small team required to work closely with the Chairman, Theo Paphitis, in high profile situations.
• A drive to go above and beyond to provide the ultimate guest experience at all events.
• An ability to coordinate all things events related, multi-task and excel in fast-paced and high pressure environments, always able to deliver to tight deadlines.
• A safe pair of hands who thrives creating brilliant and memorable events.

What’s in it for you and key information:

• Competitive salary.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
• A Wellbeing day to take when you choose but subject to the holiday request process
• Auto enrolment into the company pension scheme after three months service and then after 12 months you are eligible to join the enhanced pension scheme 5% employer and 5% employee contribution.
• Eligible for Life Assurance cover after 12 months of x 4 annual salary on if you are in the enhanced pension scheme otherwise x 1 annual salary.
• 6-month probation period with notice period of 1 month on either side rising to 3 months on completion of the probationary period.
• Company mobile phone and laptop.
• Group discounts (Ryman, Robert Dyas, Boux Avenue and London Graphic Centre part of the group).
• Access to Benefit Hub - giving you discounts on a large selection of other brands
• Experience working across a huge variety of events including conferences, trade show exhibitions, awards dinners and charity events.
• Working with a passionate team who put events at the heart of the calendar.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £40,000.00-£50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Store discount

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

• Performance bonus

Work Location: One location