Executive Producer / Project Director

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ABOUT SLEEK

We are an award-winning London based live experience marketing agency that connects the world's biggest brands with their audiences. Sleek delivers a broad variety of event formats from exhibitions for 16,000+ delegates through to private dinners designed to facilitate the conversations that matter and experiences that impact.

Over the years, Sleek has experienced significant and consistent growth. Jennifer Davidson is our founder and remains the team's driving force today. As a privately owned agency we value connections and prioritise people, we know that our team, our clients and our suppliers make us what we are. Our primary goal is to make our clients' lives easier and we operate as an extension of their team. Go further passion is at the heart of Sleek, earning our reputation for expertise, creativity and imagination combined with an impeccable client experience.

OUR CULTURE

Communication is at the heart of our agency and that's especially true when it comes to our team. We are proud to attract and retain the best people and we know it's critical that individuals feel both challenged and supported with opportunities to progress. Sleek believes in a collective effort when it comes to decision making - we value everyone's contribution and are proud to be accredited as an Investor in People.

No two days are the same and our client base and growth pattern means it can be intense at times. This is when the agility of the Sleek team really comes into its own. We know that the instant you move out of your comfort zone, it means you are growing and that's a genuine opportunity to thrive. We work hard to ensure we are supporting one another to be better and hold each other up when we face challenges.

As individuals we are self motivated, have very high standards and are always willing to learn, regardless of seniority. We know how vital it is for team members to know their value to the business and feel rewarded for their contribution. What you put in, we will always give back.

OUR WORK PLACE

We spend a large proportion of our lives at work and it should be a place that makes you feel good. Sleek is based in a stunning office a short walk from Wimbledon where we share everything from playlists to weekend baking efforts. We genuinely have a lot of fun together.

We regularly socialise after work including our Thursday early finish office drinks. In addition, Jen absolutely loves arranging social events for the team including; weekends mini breaks, team away days, Christmas wreath making and more.

You'll find Sleek to be a welcoming place for everyone, from those just starting out in their careers to seasoned professionals. We will always support you as an individual within an environment where you can realise your true potential.

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are looking for a switched-on, proactive Project Director / Exec Producer to take the lead on our largest projects from the beginning to the very end. You will be skilled in translating client needs into project deliverables, knowing a little about a lot, involving the right contributors at the right time. You will hold accountability for the quality of the projects you own, being satisfied with only the best.

You will be passionate about creating experiences that leave a lasting impact, bringing our clients' brand voices to life. From collaborating on concepting, event strategy, flow and even content, you'll maintain accountability for the development and delivery of our largest events. With a can-do attitude, experience managing both large project teams and direct reports, you'll leave a lasting impact on your colleagues too.

Requirements

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Project manage high-quality, complex, and production-heavy events from design and planning through to onsite delivery
• Experience in event strategy, understanding client aims and objectives and translating this into event concepts and actionable internal critical paths (covering resource, logistics, design, venue, technical production etc) effectively communicating timelines.
• Be the linchpin for the production and project management of events, or areas of a larger event (if assigned)
• Collaborate with technical production and creative teams, able to speak their language
• Create branding scope & deliverable briefing documents specific to different venues - actively propose branding opportunities to the client to upsell Sleek services whilst also achieving our client's goals.
• Have a strong understanding of content, content management, rehearsals, run of show and the individuals needed to bring a show to life
• Bring unique ideas to event formats, unafraid to push boundaries that could surprise and delight clients and attendees.
• Understand competitive scenarios, challenging the brief and adding value in discussions and presentations where appropriate
• Demonstrate leadership qualities, working to tight deadlines and effectively managing them across the entire project team
• Leading project meetings and communications with internal and external stakeholders throughout the project cycle
• Conduct venue site visits and create site visit reports for internal and client review
• Negotiate favourable supplier costs and provide regular budget updates for clients and internal finances. Keen eye on profitability levels throughout a project, maximising revenue opportunities.
• Monitor existing supplier performance and seek out new, innovative, and high-quality event partners
• Experience in resource planning including internal, multi-discipline teams with the addition of leveraging freelancers (ensuring time is budgeted correctly, and in collaboration with the Resourcing Manager, that freelancers are onboarded correctly and their time managed).
• Detailed, accurate, prudent budget management from planning to delivery and post-event reconciliation, adhering to processes and SLAs.
• Implement internal processes and oversee the activities of the rest of the team, ensuring understanding and adherence
• Where necessary, train and monitor junior members of the team to ensure correct implementation
• Ability to anticipate risks or challenges and implement solutions to mitigate them - checking in on the team and monitoring for potential roadblocks.
• Gather and share post-event feedback and learnings within the team and suppliers. Holding internal debriefs and using the learnings for future planning and guidance
• Review internal processes and if improvements are spotted, recommend these with sound reasoning
• Actively network with industry contacts and suppliers, staying on top of the latest trends, technology, sector and client news and cascade this to other team members

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Manage pitch proposals from start to finish, delivering creative event solutions and presentations. Budget preparation, venue, supplier research and ability to tell a story to our clients, including senior stakeholders.
• Get to know your clients, building lasting relationships established on respect and understanding - meaningful and genuine account management.
• Maintain strategic oversight of clients, identifying potential opportunities for Sleek with existing clients, acting with a commercial approach and advising, without being pushy or 'salesy'
• Apply principles of new business to managing sponsors, to help clients maximise sponsorship but also have a good knowledge of where sponsors could be potential future clients for Sleek and build strong relationships for future new business opportunities
• Provide social media content when attending networking events, FAMs, exhibitions, etc

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Demonstrable experience in mentoring, guiding, and managing other junior members of the team.
• Maintain an understanding of the team's skills, catalysing team strengths to push performance and coach direct reports in skills development. When there are issues with ability, helping team members to improve
• Deliver against your direct reports' employment milestones (probation, performance management, 121s etc)

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ATTITUDE

• Proven experience of working at Project Director / Executive Producer level, directing and managing large-scale live experiences, leading multi-functional/cross-disciplined teams.
• Global destination knowledge
• Extensive budget management experience (ideally including multi-currency) into the £millions
• Track record of delivering successful projects on time, working calmly under pressure
• A creative thinker, suggesting innovative live experience formats and/or solutions
• Proven track record of client and employer confidentiality
• Great, confident communication skills, on phone, in person
• Adaptable to different situations
• High attention to detail
• Able to prioritise your own and others' workload effectively, ensuring key deadlines are met
• Pragmatic and able to problem solve under own steam, highlight risk areas and keep projects on track.
• Collaborative team-player, with the ability to develop positive, strong working relationships
• Comfortable in negotiation with suppliers and clients (e.g price, services, scope, timings, etc).
• Demonstrates best practice and mentors junior members of the team
• Able to travel when required
• Desirable software knowledge: Procim/Google docs
• Being multilingual would be an advantage!

ABOUT YOU

We are seeking individuals who represent the following:

• Enthusiasm towards the role, the company and your colleagues
• Naturally proactive, self-motivated and thrives in a fast-paced environment
• A true team player who works collaboratively and provides excellent support
• Enjoys being involved in a wide variety of projects
• Actively seeks and welcomes feedback
• Works in calm and composed manner when managing multiple projects and deadlines
• Leads by example with the ability to inspire and motivate others - particularly when inevitable challenges arise
• Maintains the resilience and stamina required to sustain performance when under pressure
• Enthusiastically responds to every task, no matter how menial
• Passionate about supporting your peers to be better
• Embodies the values of the Sleek team
• Operates to an exceptional level of delivery
• Balances an excellent eye for detail whilst considering the overall project objectives
• An ability to build long term, mutually beneficial relationships

Benefits

BENEFITS

Our benefits were created by Team Sleek to ensure they appeal to a wide range of individuals. Here is a taster of the types of things they include;

• 25 days holiday (excl. UK public holidays). Additional days holiday for each year of service (capped at 5)
• Birthdays off (if on a weekday)
• Core hours flexibility
• Pay Day early finish - Fridays (15:00)
• Career growth - development and training
• Standard Pension Plan
• Fitness membership
• Company discounts and perks
• Company social events inc. weekly office drinks
• Annual Company Offsite
• Additional Benefits after 1 years' service including private medical
• Opportunity to attend overseas familiarisation trips on behalf of Sleek in luxury accommodation. Recent destinations include South Africa, Abu Dhabi and the South of France