Events Manager

COMPANY BACKGROUND / CULTURE

The Global Risk Institute (GRI) is a premier organization that defines thought leadership in risk management for the financial services sector.

We bring together leaders from industry, academia, and government to draw actionable insights on risks globally and build capability in the financial services sector.

GRI provides members with knowledge and tools to fortify their risk understanding and expertise through:

• Events
• Education
• Research & Publications

The organization was founded in 2011 – a collaborative initiative among financial industry leaders, and the governments of Ontario and Canada. We seized on the need to build world class risk capacity within Canada’s financial institutions while building a global profile for the industry.

Our Goals

Improve Risk Management in the Financial Sector

• GRI brings together leaders from industry, academia, and government to draw actionable insights on emerging risks.

Deepen our Collective Understanding of Financial Risk

• GRI enables deeper awareness and understanding of financial risk through our research, education and training.

Develop Practical Strategies for our Members

• GRI offers practical solutions to enable members to better manage risk.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Events Manager is an exceptionally organized and detail-oriented individual with a track record of managing the deployment of in-person, virtual and hybrid event technology platforms, and event implementations, with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. The successful candidate will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure a seamless, best-in-class member experience, and provide stakeholders with thorough insights and analytics services.

The Events Manager will report to the Managing Director, Member Services and Events.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Responsibility for the end-to-end planning and execution of in-person, virtual and hybrid event initiatives that contribute value to GRI members
• Technical production of virtual, hybrid and in person event initiatives
• Assist the Managing Director, Member Services and Events and project teams to shape innovative and impactful in-person, virtual and hybrid events
• Primary operational contact and primary technical contact for members during the in-person, virtual and hybrid engagement process
• Support the ongoing innovation of data-driven attention within the events team, with specific attention to transforming event data into relevant, actionable recommendations, which improve event design and attendee experiences
• Utilize post-event analytics to better understand attendees, their behaviors and interests, and improve engagement while driving the continual optimization of future strategies and plans
• Organize, prepare and manage the presentation of all associated event content required for the virtual and hybrid event environments
• Preparation of event program documents, for every event implementation, including but not limited to master project plan and project milestones, AV tech plans, function sheets, run of show, the podium book, roles and responsibilities and agendas, as required
• Where required, book and participate in weekly/monthly meetings with internal and external stakeholders
• Responsible for event-associated sourcing and management of outside suppliers, gathering supplier quotes and proposals, consolidating financials results of the event initiative including reviewing and submitting supplier invoices, budget updates and final account reconciliation, and presenting recommendations to GRI Management
• Actively participating in creative brainstorming and development sessions
• Vetting and management of vendors to deliver on elements of the attendee experience; AV and staging, catering, attendee materials, on-site activations etc.
• Provide weekly status updates on program results/personnel, member program reviews
• Provide accurate post-event content for enterprise reporting
• Support the sourcing of keynote speakers, engagement and entertainment options
• Organize and participate in pre-event and tech rehearsals
• Stay current in entertainment, production, vendor products, and new industry technologies
• Regularly assess current virtual and hybrid event production software and tools to provide a recommendation for features/enhancements for future consideration and implementation to achieve corporate goals related to these types of events
• Provide clear timelines and deadlines related to collateral and asset collection required for the virtual event, proactively seeking out information from key stakeholders, and following up in a timely manner, when necessary
• Provide status updates to internal and external stakeholders on pre-production milestones to ensure successful delivery on the day of the event
• Conduct pre-event and post-event debriefs for internal and external stakeholders
• Other duties as assigned

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

Success in the role of the Events Manager will require:

• Minimum 8 years of related in-person, virtual and hybrid event experience and event production, ideally within the financial or similar industry
• Minimum 3 years of Project Management experience
• Highly proficient levels in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and strong technical knowledge and experience in producing and executing virtual events
• A solutions-provider mindset, with a keen focus on the user experience and positive event outcomes that will contribute to GRI member value
• Firsthand experience and strong technical knowledge in producing virtual events on digital platforms including, but not limited to MS Teams, Webex, Cvent, Eventbrite with an aptitude for troubleshooting and providing actionable solutions with virtual event platforms supporting virtual events and conferences (meetings, webcasts, webinars)
• Be proficient in the current virtual event landscape, aware of trends, vendors and best practices for delivering virtual events
• Work cross-functionally to conceptualize, plan, and flawlessly execute in-person, virtual, and/or hybrid events that are repeatable
• Ability to communicate clearly, confidently and persuasively with internal and external stakeholders to provide topline, best-in-class support services
• Proven track record developing and managing multiple complex projects
• Ability to act as Project Lead on large and complex projects such as the Annual GRI Summit
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced team environment, with the ability to perform and handle multiple assignments simultaneously pivoting quickly as priorities shift, with efficiency and accuracy
• Have excellent member service skills and a positive attitude
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail with ability to prioritize work: highly organized and efficient
• Responsible and able to work both independently and with project teams for individual events
• Able to remain calm and solve problems effectively in high stress situations, while having a great phone/web presence

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree preferred; however, significant work experience can substitute for the degree.

COMPENSATION

A competitive compensation package.