Manager, Client Programming & Events

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes), one of Canada’s largest and most successful law firms, is currently looking for a Manager, Client Programming & Events to join the Client Relations & Marketing department in the Toronto office.

Reporting to the Chief Client Relations & Marketing Officer, this role is responsible for managing a variety of client-facing and internal Blakes events and seminars that meet the Firms’ business development objectives, including taking the lead on marquee client events.

Primary responsibilities associated with this position include:

Managing Events team leads and other stakeholders to develop memorable, unique client events and experiences, including seminars, receptions, dinners and special events, and providing support for tradeshows, conferences and sponsorships.
Executing events and seminars end-to-end, including, but not limited to, leading planning meetings, budget management, logistics, tracking, creative components, event onsite support and post-event reporting to ensure logistics are executed seamlessly.
Providing oversight for webcast planning, execution and process improvements, including liaising with event production staff and vendors.
Providing oversight for Blakes Diversity & Inclusion-focused affinity group events (Black@Blakes, EastAsian@Blakes, SouthAsian@Blakes, Pride@Blakes and Women@Blakes).
Providing oversight for sourcing, negotiating with and relationship-building with suppliers and venues.
Leading the invitation process for marquee events, working closely with Firm Management on developing and updating invitation lists.
Developing and managing the annual client events budget and presenting numbers to stakeholders as needed.
Overseeing and evaluating data derived from national events to provide management with comprehensive year-end event metrics and analysis.
Managing the Events team, including, but not limited to, onboarding/mentoring new members, monitoring progress on deliverables and managing team performance. Overseeing all Events team responsibilities, including business development tickets and suites for sporting events and concerts, as well as the client gifting and annual holiday gifting campaigns.
Leading the development and execution of Firm Retreats and National Partners’ Meetings, including researching destination and hotel options; leading the RFP process, on-site program management and post-event deliverables; and debriefing with management.

Qualifications

Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or equivalent or a college diploma with a focus in events.
Minimum of 10 years of corporate event and team management experience is required. Experience should include managing multi-day travel programs and planning executive level events.

Skills/Abilities:

Outgoing and personable, with the ability to remain calm under pressure.
Flexibility with hours of work is required —events take place before and after normal working hours and occasionally on weekends.
Ability to adhere to multiple deadlines, juggle multiple events and prioritize tasks, accordingly, in a fast-paced work environment.
Strong people management skills, with the ability to motivate and manage team performance.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to execute projects with moderate to high complexity.
Strong client-service approach, with desire to meet high expectations.
Ability to take initiative, own tasks, establish priorities and be accountable for the operations and deliverables of the Events team.
Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), with the ability to interact professionally and confidently with legal professionals and Firm Management.
Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
Exceptional organizational skills, with high attention to detail.
A creative thinker, with effective problem-solving skills and judgment.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Strong working knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, Word and CMS.

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please submit your application and include your cover letter and résumé directly to our application portal.

Blakes wishes to thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Who We Are

At Blakes, we care about our people. We are committed to providing exceptional experiences for not only our clients but also our employees. As a winner of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Greater Toronto’s Top Employers awards, we understand the importance of fostering an inclusive workplace environment that brings out the best in each person. Our success as a firm starts with the hiring and retaining top talent and then helping them succeed/thrive.

Blakes welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. The Firm is committed to maintaining an inclusive work environment composed of people with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, identities and cultures.

The Firm provides accommodation for applicants with disabilities and in respect of other protected grounds during the recruitment process in accordance with applicable laws. Please contact us to request accommodation.