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FIRST · 20 hours ago

Project Director

New York, NY

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$105K/yr - $135K/yr

8+ years exp

FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency serving clients in various industries. The Project Director will serve as the strategic and operational lead for a global client, overseeing budgets, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring high-quality experiences while mentoring team members.

Events

H1B Sponsor Likely

Responsibilities

Build and maintain trusted client relationships, with a primary focus on one global, strategic account, understanding their business and brand to deliver tailored event solutions

Serve as the primary operational liaison for this strategic client while also maintaining oversight of up to 1-4 cross-functional accounts, ensuring service delivery meets client expectations and reflects FIRST’s high standards

Provide overall project direction, ensuring all team members adapt workflows, communication styles, and delivery approaches to align with the client’s specific preferences and vision

Act as the main point of intake for new business from the client, assessing requirements, scoping project needs, and partnering with global delivery leads to secure appropriate staffing

Engage with senior clients, demonstrating industry expertise and a proactive, solutions-driven approach across multiple projects

Oversee account budget management, tracking revenue, forecasting future needs, and maximizing cost efficiencies

Identify and develop new business opportunities, assisting with proposals, pitches, and account growth strategies

Create and maintain account plans, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to drive tailored solutions and consistent delivery

Monitor client contracts, SLAs, and KPIs, providing performance insights to operations leadership and identifying opportunities for improvement

Continuously assess and enhance service offerings by gathering feedback, identifying trends, and implementing process improvements

Optimize efficiency and service quality by streamlining processes and applying best practices

Lead event delivery on complex or high-visibility projects as needed based on business priorities

Manage multiple key events from initial brief to final reconciliation, ensuring effective team leadership and adherence to SOPs and standards

Capture key intelligence to drive future performance improvements and share knowledge across the team

Guide teams to adjust delivery strategies to meet the unique expectations of this specific client, ensuring consistency across regions

Conduct and participate in global site visits and onsite execution, serving as the senior project presence for the client across their international event portfolio

Manage global travel needs aligned to the client’s portfolio of events, including site visits, onsite execution, and in-person meetings in locations outside New York

Collaborate with Client Services to align on project briefs, build internal teams, and deliver successful events

Act as the escalation point for both clients and internal teams, anticipating needs and proactively managing resources

Maintain accurate financial records, communicating budget updates and critical financial concerns to management

Regularly report on budget status to clients and internal teams, ensuring timely reconciliations within client contracted deadlines

Identify opportunities for added value while ensuring overall project and account profitability

Foster strong relationships with suppliers and venues, seeking industry innovations and ensuring compliance with performance standards

Provide day-to-day direction for team members supporting the client, ensuring clarity of roles, alignment with SOPs, and adaptation to the client's unique workstyle and communication expectations

Partner with delivery leads globally to request, onboard, and guide team members assigned to the client, ensuring coverage across regions and time zones

Foster strong working relationships across global teams, providing mentorship and leadership in project delivery

Lead by example, maintaining a motivated, professional team committed to delivering exceptional client service

Support capacity awareness across the team, identifying pressure points and advocating for proper staffing with global delivery leads

Foster strong working relationships across global teams, promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and consistent standards of service

Contribute to organizational strategy by identifying opportunities, addressing challenges, and promoting industry best practices

Ensure teams provide value for money to clients while identifying opportunities for added value

Act as a liaison between clients and FIRST management to address team-related issues as needed

Qualification

Event ManagementClient Relationship ManagementBudget ManagementProject ManagementEvent LogisticsVenue SelectionContract NegotiationEvent TechnologyLeadershipCommunication SkillsProblem-SolvingTeam CollaborationAdaptability

Required

8-10+ years of event management and project management experience, preferably in an agency environment

Minimum 8+ years' of combined managerial and event management experience in delivering digital and in-person events with the ability to manage and train teams of people in planning and execution of events

Experience in working with and managing senior clients

Extensive experience in event and project management, particularly within an agency environment

In-depth knowledge of venues, destinations, and suppliers, with a strong network of established contacts in the region

Expertise in event logistics, including registration, conferences, meetings, F&B, and production management

Expert in venue selection, contract negotiation, and budget management

Familiar with event technology and software, with the ability to analyze event data and metrics

Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and persuasively

Effective communicator with clients, vendors, and internal teams, building strong interpersonal relationships

Demonstrated leadership in a team-oriented environment

Creative, proactive, adaptable, and resourceful, with a focus on delivering exceptional event experiences

This role will have you traveling 40-60% of the time

Preferred

People management experience preferred

Benefits

Medical, Dental & Vision which includes the option of a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health savings account (HSA)

401 (k)

Five Flexible Spending Accounts Options

Generous Paid Time Off Allowance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Life, Disability & Pet Coverages

Wellness Stipend

Complimentary access to Headspace, Teladoc, Maven, Rocket Lawyer, Mobilo & more

Aura Identity Theft Protection

Discretionary Bonus Structure

Global Opportunities: With a presence in 7 countries worldwide, including headquarters in London, New York, and Singapore, you may have the opportunity to work on exciting projects across different locations.

Company

FIRST

FIRST provides world-class event delivery, creative development and technical production for a wide range of clients.

Founded in 1996

London, England, GBR

501-1000 employees

https://firstagency.com/

H1B Sponsorship

FIRST has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)

Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship

Represents job field similar to this job

Trends of Total Sponsorships

2025 (3)

2024 (1)

2021 (1)

2020 (2)