Project Manager (Event Planning Experience required)
Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Compensation
Salary
Range $70,000.00 - $110,000.00
Work Schedule
Standard Hours
Flexible
Benefits
Medical
Dental
Vision
401(k)
Paid Time Off
Employee assistance program
Life insurance
Job Description
FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency that has been shaping memorable brand stories for over 30 years. Specializing in delivering comprehensive event and project management services, FIRST caters to more than 130 global brands, especially Fortune 500 companies across diverse sectors such as Financial Services, Technology, Healthcare, Media, and Professional Services. With a workforce that manages over 37,000 events and projects annually in 110 countries worldwide, FIRST is recognized internationally for its excellence, innovation, and commitment to sustainability, including prestigious accolades such as the 2026 Chief Marketer Agency of the Year and the Ad Net Zero Award.
Located in Jersey City, NJ, FIRST operates on a hybrid work model with three days in the office and a potential shift to full-time office presence, reflecting its flexible yet dynamic work environment. The company embraces a culture of creativity, passion, and collaboration, empowering its teams to deliver outstanding brand experiences through embedded teams, corporate campus operations, and full-service agency models. FIRST's commitment to inclusive work ethics and equal opportunity employment ensures a diverse and supportive workplace where everyone’s ideas and backgrounds are valued.
The Project Manager role at FIRST is a pivotal position responsible for orchestrating internal and client-facing events and conferences both virtually and in-person. This role demands a high degree of project management expertise, creative problem-solving, and client-centric service delivery. The Project Manager will oversee the full lifecycle management of events, from receiving the initial briefing to the meticulous post-event reconciliation. This includes developing and managing detailed project plans, handling logistics such as registration, accommodation, food and beverage, entertainment, audio-visual requirements, speaker coordination, staging, and webcasts.
With the need to sometimes travel domestically or internationally for onsite event management, the Project Manager must be adaptable, highly organized, and adept at managing multiple event components seamlessly. Financial stewardship is a fundamental part of this role, encompassing budget development and management, expense tracking, invoice processing, and timely reconciliation and reporting.
Additionally, the Project Manager acts as a bridge between various internal departments such as marketing, production, event technology, data management, legal, and compliance, ensuring smooth collaboration and adherence to all regulatory and client standards. This role also involves vendor management including negotiating contracts and sourcing event requirements while maintaining strong client relationships and managing their expectations with professionalism and tact.
The ideal candidate for the Project Manager position is an experienced event professional with 5 to 7+ years of event management experience, preferably within corporate or financial environments, and capable of handling high-stakes events involving C-level executives, multi-day conferences, cocktail receptions, and dinners. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel, alongside experience in virtual event platforms such as Webex and Zoom, is highly desirable. Leadership ability, strong communication skills, and a proactive, resourceful mindset are essential qualities to thrive in this role.
FIRST supports the growth and wellness of its team through a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance options, retirement plans, generous paid time off, wellness stipends, and more. This role offers a competitive salary range from $70,000 to $110,000 with eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus, and the possibility to work on international projects given FIRST's global presence.
By joining FIRST, candidates become part of an award-winning team dedicated to creating exceptional brand experiences and innovative event solutions globally while growing their own careers in a creative, inclusive, and forward-thinking environment.
Located in Jersey City, NJ, FIRST operates on a hybrid work model with three days in the office and a potential shift to full-time office presence, reflecting its flexible yet dynamic work environment. The company embraces a culture of creativity, passion, and collaboration, empowering its teams to deliver outstanding brand experiences through embedded teams, corporate campus operations, and full-service agency models. FIRST's commitment to inclusive work ethics and equal opportunity employment ensures a diverse and supportive workplace where everyone’s ideas and backgrounds are valued.
The Project Manager role at FIRST is a pivotal position responsible for orchestrating internal and client-facing events and conferences both virtually and in-person. This role demands a high degree of project management expertise, creative problem-solving, and client-centric service delivery. The Project Manager will oversee the full lifecycle management of events, from receiving the initial briefing to the meticulous post-event reconciliation. This includes developing and managing detailed project plans, handling logistics such as registration, accommodation, food and beverage, entertainment, audio-visual requirements, speaker coordination, staging, and webcasts.
With the need to sometimes travel domestically or internationally for onsite event management, the Project Manager must be adaptable, highly organized, and adept at managing multiple event components seamlessly. Financial stewardship is a fundamental part of this role, encompassing budget development and management, expense tracking, invoice processing, and timely reconciliation and reporting.
Additionally, the Project Manager acts as a bridge between various internal departments such as marketing, production, event technology, data management, legal, and compliance, ensuring smooth collaboration and adherence to all regulatory and client standards. This role also involves vendor management including negotiating contracts and sourcing event requirements while maintaining strong client relationships and managing their expectations with professionalism and tact.
The ideal candidate for the Project Manager position is an experienced event professional with 5 to 7+ years of event management experience, preferably within corporate or financial environments, and capable of handling high-stakes events involving C-level executives, multi-day conferences, cocktail receptions, and dinners. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel, alongside experience in virtual event platforms such as Webex and Zoom, is highly desirable. Leadership ability, strong communication skills, and a proactive, resourceful mindset are essential qualities to thrive in this role.
FIRST supports the growth and wellness of its team through a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance options, retirement plans, generous paid time off, wellness stipends, and more. This role offers a competitive salary range from $70,000 to $110,000 with eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus, and the possibility to work on international projects given FIRST's global presence.
By joining FIRST, candidates become part of an award-winning team dedicated to creating exceptional brand experiences and innovative event solutions globally while growing their own careers in a creative, inclusive, and forward-thinking environment.
Job Requirements
- 5-7+ years event management experience
- experience in corporate or financial environments
- bachelor's degree preferred
- proficient in Microsoft Office applications
- ability to manage multiple projects under pressure
- virtual event experience preferred
- leadership and negotiation skills
- resourceful and proactive mindset
- strong client focus and communication skills
- willingness to travel for events
Job Qualifications
- 5-7+ years event management experience preferably in a corporate or financial environment
- experience in events, conferences, meeting and production management including c-level executive events, cocktail receptions and dinners, meetings and multi-day events
- experience in working with and managing senior clients
- bachelor's degree preferred
- proficient with Microsoft Office applications such as PowerPoint and Excel
- excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- virtual event experience preferred with webex and zoom experience a plus
- leadership, influencing, negotiation and decision-making skills
- resourceful individual with the ability to take direction and work independently
- customer focus with ability to adjust to client needs and deepen relationships
- strong client management skills
- strong oral and written communication skills
- ambitious, proactive and highly organized
- willing to travel for site-visits and on-site management of events
Job Duties
- 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
- work seamlessly with key internal partners on event deliverables
- 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
- ensure adherence to the client’s standards of operation and policies and that compliance and risk guidelines are followed
- assist with the training of new joiners
- 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
Job Criteria
Experience
Mid Level (3-7 years)
Job Location
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