Project Manager (Corporate Event Experiences Planner)

Building a Brand starts with a Story

FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency providing Content, Creative, Digital Technology, Management Delivery, and Data Insights services. For 30 years, we have utilized three flexible delivery models: Embedded teams, Corporate Campus operations, and a Full-Service Agency. Managing over 37,000 events projects annually across 110 countries, FIRST serves 130+ brands, specializing in Fortune 500 companies within the Financial Services, Technology, Healthcare, Media, and Professional Services sectors. FIRST is part of the broader Encore family of companies. Encore is a global leader in event production and technology. Consistently recognized for excellence, recent honors include 2026 Chief Marketer Agency of the Year, the Ad Net Zero Award for sustainability, and more.

Learn more at www.firstagency.com

Location: Must reside in Phoenix, AZ to plan local events. There will also be a lot of travel on the West Coast (CA) too and throughout the US. Total travel up to 40%.

What You Would Get To Do

The Project Manager is responsible for supporting clients with both internal and client-facing events and conferences, delivering exceptional service through effective project management and creative solutions. This role involves overseeing all aspects of event operations, from initial briefing to post-event reconciliation. Key responsibilities include managing project plans, collateral, registration, transportation, hotel accommodations, entertainment, food and beverage, audio/visual needs, webcasts, staging, speaker coordination, and event execution.

There is a requirement for onsite events to travel domestically or abroad as required.

Your Contributions

Full life-cycle planning and execution of multiple key events in a virtual, in-person and hybrid capacity

Financial management, including: budget development and management, expense management and invoice processing, timely post-meeting reconciliation and final financial reporting

Sourcing, negotiating and managing site selections, contract management for venues and suppliers

Coordinate registration, food and beverage, transportation, hotel accommodations, entertainment, gift selection, audio/visual needs, webcasts, staging and speaker selection for all programs; strong focus on vendor management

Work seamlessly with key internal partners on event deliverables (i.e. Marketing for print and digital design and collateral elements, Production on Audio Visual, Event Technology team on web builds, data team on attendee management, Legal and Compliance as required, etc.)

Virtual event planning and project management including confirming appropriate virtual platform, creation of timelines, invitation process, thorough and regular communications to attendees, suppliers and stakeholders

Co-plan with colleagues and the client on larger scale programs; strong team player

Ensure adherence to the client’s standards of operation and policies and that compliance and risk guidelines are followed

Travel when applicable for site inspections and on-site management of live events to ensure full coordination of logistics and on-site teams for in-person events

Post event wrap up including final attendees, budget reconciliation, observations, as well as client debriefs for year over year improvements

Share knowledge of best practices, new suppliers, services and venues

What We Are Looking For

5–7+ years’ event management experience, preferably in a corporate or financial environment

Experience in events, conferences, meeting and production management, including but not limited to C-level executive events, cocktail receptions and dinners, meetings and multi-day events

Experience in working with and managing senior clients

Proficient with Microsoft Office applications such as PowerPoint and Excel

Motivated, self-starter, ability to work independently and project plan; ability to think innovatively

Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously; proven ability to work well under pressure to meet established deadlines

Virtual event experience preferred – Webex and Zoom experience a plus

Leadership/influencing/negotiation and decision-making skills

Adaptable and resourceful individual able to follow guidance while working independently; proactive in generating ideas and creative solutions

Customer focus, approachable; ability to adjust to client needs and style and deepen relationships in support of their programs; adapt to ever changing demands and different client work styles

Strong client management skills

Strong oral and written communication skills

Ambitious, proactive and highly organized

Willing to travel to various locations for site-visits and on-site management of events

Experience working with large and complex databases preferred, Cvent experience preferred

Knowledge of venues and suppliers in key US cities

At FIRST, we believe that our success is driven by …