Being a GCO trooper
Want to be part of the frontrunner in strategic stakeholder interaction management? Where we work hard but play even harder. Really. Our projects are incredibly diverse (in the best way!) so it’s not about if we can defeat challenges, but how – we do love a go getter.
In return we serve great coffee (of course), have good nutritious lunches and every now and then, throw a damn great party.
Purpose of the role
Our Project Managers are key catalysts in creating seamless event experiences for our clients globally. Liaising confidently and clearly with external Meeting Owners/Stakeholders as well as internal colleagues, the Project Manager plans, organizes and delivers live, virtual and hybrid events from the initial conceptualization through to the final invoicing. The goal is to ensure clients’ objectives are met and that our events exceed their expectations.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Project Management
- Develop a detailed plan - translate clients’ requirements into deliverables, supplier needs, plan and allocate resources, a budget and work plan, track and ensure all business critical deadlines are met;
- Monitor and diligently oversee the financial process during various phases of the projects and proactively inform involved parties;
- Proactively communicate to ensure Clients are up to date with all aspects of event planning arrangements throughout the life cycle of the project;
- Conduct post event debrief with clients and other stakeholders and where relevant, take appropriate actions;
- Ensure delivery of all events in accordance with compliance and client-defined guidelines;
- Ensure projects adhere to the principles and codes of corporate governance.
Event Management System (EMS)/Administrative Tasks
- Set up registration process using EMS/Cvent, including registration website;
- Undertake the completion of the invitation & attendee management process including communication, database management & reporting;
- Coordinate Clients’ requirements with all internal/3rd party suppliers and service providers (eg. project and faculty related flights, hotel and other logistical requirements);
- Process purchase orders/invoices and timely/accurately maintain project finance records;
- Ensure development, production, ordering and shipping of project materials;
- Monitor all compliance related tasks, reports, project files and archives are completed;
Financial Management
- Prepare and maintain budgets throughout the life-cycle of each project;
- Ensure financial tracking of each project and conduct regular 'health checks' to ensure positive cash flow;
- Maximize profitability of projects - including supplier negotiation and up-selling of additional services to clients;
- Execute effective scope management - to identify and charge clients for out of scope activities;
- Identify, quantify and report cost avoidance/saving measures;
- Submit accurate final reconciliation of projects within agreed timelines;
- Implement cost efficient time management;
- Compile and analyze financial and project evaluation reports.
Sourcing and Contracting
- Review and negotiate contracts with the relevant 3rd party suppliers and vendors;
- Evaluate meeting locations, countries, cities, properties and provide strategic advice to clients.
Client Relationship Management and Account Development
- Develop and maintain client relationships at every phase of the project life cycle with a view to support the development of existing and/or new accounts;
- Where relevant, liaise with the Account Director regarding new business opportunities and collaborate to further develop and/or close the account.
Onsite Support
- Conduct onsite inspections and undertake planning meetings with all suppliers, where required;
- Be visible on the ground to engage with meeting and/or other stakeholders so as to ensure and manage successful event experiences;
- Where appropriate, engage with key stakeholder(s) to identify possible future meeting needs and provide follow-up.
Any other duties, as required from time to time.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferably in hospitality related, event management or similar studies;
- Certified Meeting Professional (eg.CMP) or Digital Event Strategist certification(DES) is a plus.
Skills and Experience
- 3 - 6 years’ hands on experience in successfully delivering a wide range of complex live, virtual and hybrid meetings and events from start to finish, overseeing multiple projects and simultaneous work streams at a global level;
- Knowledgeable of up-to-date virtual event technologies, industry trends, and competition;
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to work under tight deadlines, multitask, and prioritize responsibilities;
- Experience in managing virtual and hybrid event productions;
- Advanced knowledge and experience with virtual platforms;
- Experience in communicating with and advising, senior-level stakeholders;
- Superior interpersonal and communicative skills in the English language – written and verbal;
- Experience in managing and coaching others;
- Able to multi-task and deliver quality results under pressure/tight constraints;
- Accuracy, attention to detail, organizational and follow-up skills;
- Fully proficient in using Microsoft Office suite, proven aptitude for technology and/or software solutions and analytical skills;
- Experience in working with financial budgets, tools and financial planning;
- Able to travel extensively, including weekends/public holidays.
As a GCO Employee, you will benefit from:
- Customized Onboarding/Training Program to kick start your career with GCO
- Personal Development Plan, Coaching and 1:1 Performance Feedback
- Access to learning platform for your learning and development needs
- Company laptop and mobile phone for your work
- Time for time compensation
- Dynamic international working environment with passionate, multi-cultural, fun loving and hardworking colleagues
- Company provided Daily Lunch at the Office
- Work from Home Allowance
- Commuting Allowance (Home – Office – Return)
- Worldwide travel insurance when undertaking business for GCO
Our clients are leading names in the life sciences industry and rely on us to deliver bespoke advice and solutions relating to their stakeholder interactions and communications for their live, hybrid and virtual meetings, congresses and events. We have a dedicated team of qualified in-person/virtual/hybrid event Project Managers and Executives who blend passion, creativity, technology and business know-how to advise, design and deliver full service, high-end impactful events to support our clients to achieve their objectives.
The vacancy
An opportunity has arisen for a high caliber strategic interaction & communication specialist (virtual/digital native) with proven experience in designing, building and delivering integrated event programs, where (digital) event projects play a vital role. Together with a team of qualified event Project Managers and Executives, you will build and lead GCO’s Stakeholder Engagement strategy, inspire and motivate the crew to achieve identified commercial and financial metrics by delivering integrated stakeholder engagement programs, where event management activities are an important – but not the only - ingredient. Creating an optimal flow of touchpoints between client and its strategic stakeholders in order to optimize engagement.
You are a mover and shaker in your field, having worked with leading brands and agencies to create winning projects. Always looking to break new grounds with strategy, creativity and technology, you bring with you your entrepreneurial flair, enthusiasm and creativity to lead GCO into new territories in our stakeholder engagement journey, using cutting edge ideas and technology to chart interactive, engaging and “WOW” experiences for our stakeholders. While doing so, you understand that not always everybody instantly follows your ideas but with applying continuous explanation about the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ and a good portion of diplomacy, you are able to generate a productive and collective mindset and atmosphere and gently move the full team into the right direction.
Since you are (co-)creating and leading the future roadmap of the M&E division, you represent this business unit at MT level and have a direct reporting line to GCO’s CEO.
Requirements
- HBO/University level education in Creative Strategy / Digitalization / Communication / Strategic Meetings Management / Creative Arts, Media or similar;
- 10+ years prior experience in a senior-level management or staff position;
- Solid background working in event design and execution (or strongly related to this), including large scale in-person events and virtual/hybrid events including webinars and congresses;
- Strong commercial mindset and energized by chasing business opportunities and expanding the client portfolio;
- Experience in television/production/broadcasting is also relevant;
- Demonstrated expertise in designing and executing long-term strategies to produce high-quality, attendee-centric experiences;
- Industry knowledge in emerging trends in event design, especially among emerging technologies and the use of social media to drive event engagement;
- Experience in working with multiple stakeholders at various (internal/external) with an ability to impart complex topics in layman’s terms;
- Creative mindset with an entrepreneurial affinity;
- Demonstrated analytical and organizational skills with the ability to impart this information to key stakeholders within/outside of GCO using technology/data analytics;
- Strong financial experience – budgeting, forecasting, interpreting financial data;
- High level computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft office suite including Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. Proficient with current technology within the design profession;
- Fluent in oral and written English. Other languages a plus
As a GCO Employee, you will benefit from:
- Hybrid Working Schedule
- Participation in Employee Pension Scheme
- 25 vacation days per year (pro rata)
- 8% Holiday Allowance
- Time for Time Compensation
- Commuting Allowance (Home – Office)
- Daily lunch at Office (when working from home, Eur2/day allowance)
- Worldwide travel insurance
- Customized Onboarding/Training Program to kick start your career with GCO
- Personal Development Plan, Coaching and 1:1 Performance Feedback
- Access to GCO Academy for all your learning and development needs
- Company laptop and mobile phone for your work
Dynamic international working environment with passionate, multi-cultural, fun loving and hardworking colleagues
Waiting for you at GCO
You will be welcomed by a super enthusiastic and passionate group of like-minded colleagues from 15+ nationalities whose mission is to provide our clients with surprising results in a positive way. Our motto is: "Together, we will make it happen!"
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url="@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE5In19@" button_text="Back to Careers" _builder_version="4.21.0" custom_button="on" button_text_size="16px" button_bg_color="#004374" button_border_width="0px" button_border_radius="0px" button_font="Cabin||||||||" button_icon="4||divi||400" button_icon_placement="left" hover_enabled="0" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" _dynamic_attributes="button_url" sticky_enabled="0"][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]To support our growing business ambitions, we have opportunities for experienced Project Managers skilled in organizing and managing virtual and hybrid events.
Interested or need more information?
Email us: jobs@gcoglobal.com, or call +31(0) 184 496 999
[/et_pb_team_member][et_pb_button button_url="@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE5In19@" button_text="Back to Careers" _builder_version="4.21.0" custom_button="on" button_text_size="16px" button_bg_color="#004374" button_border_width="0px" button_border_radius="0px" button_font="Cabin||||||||" button_icon="4||divi||400" button_icon_placement="left" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" _dynamic_attributes="button_url" sticky_enabled="0"][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]Direct contact
Please send your application to:
