Groups & Events Consultant - London, United Kingdom - Reed & Mackay

Reed & Mackay

Verified Company

London, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

London, 28th February

REPORTING TO:
GENERAL MANAGER, DEDICATED CLIENT TEAM
Reed & Mackay leads the global travel and event management arena with extraordinary service and proprietary, client-led technology.

Ranked first in the Sunday Times International Fast Track 2020, we are a business that is always looking forwards, while ensuring that we're everything that our clients need today.

In May 2021, we became part of Navan (formerly TripActions), and together we are setting the agenda for the future of business travel.

ROLE SUMMARY:

This role requires a Groups & Events Consultant with strong, all-round experience in managing group travel and events of all shapes and sizes to provide dedicated support to one of our VIP Clients.

This diverse role requires an experienced, skilled multi-tasker with first class group travel and event management experience along with strong relationship, communication and commercial skills and the ability to project manage numerous events at once, ensuring exceptional service to your client.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Group Travel (Air and Rail)

Create group and individual reservations and accurately input data into internal software systems
Negotiate best fares with suppliers as well as flexible terms and conditions
Research fares by following the R&M benchmarking strategy
Seek cost effective solutions in line with client objectives
Demonstrate our 'value proposition' to clients through hard cost savings and soft cost benefits
Conduct and coordinate risk assessment and contingency plans as required
Responsible for controlling budgeted costs
Ensure timely and accurate cost reconciliations, ensuring clients are invoiced in a timely manner
Own and oversee the management of a range of group travel projects to ensure client service satisfaction, manage performance to agreed client service level agreements, ensure successful project delivery on time and on budget and achieve preagreed event profitability targets

Event Management
This role will assist with the following types of enquiries:

Group Hotel Accommodation (10 or more rooms)
Hotel Accommodation for less than 10 when required for Client Events Team requiring accommodation to attend/manage an event
Team Activities
Venue Find Services
Ground Transport (Cars and Coaches)
Lead on small events from conception through to delivery and event close
Assist the Senior Event Manager on larger events where additional support may be required
Conducting RFP process to relevant suppliers
Determining setup for event spaces including food & beverage, seating, a/v and entertainment
Financial management of events (paying suppliers, raising invoices to client) and managing event budgets where required
Conducting preevent briefings and postevent wrap ups with suppliers, clients and service providers

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

3 years of current relative meeting/event management experience
Previous experience with a Finance based client is an advantage
Proven experience in logistics for a variety of group travel and events projects
Excellent fare and ticketing knowledge including published, net, group and consolidator fares
GDS experience essential (Sabre preferred)
Working knowledge of Office 365 and Cvent Venue Finding Software
Strong negotiation skills
Excellent geographical skills and airline schedule knowledge
Project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
Excellent oral/written communication skills at all levels
Excellent critical thinking skills
Strong attention to detail, customer service, and negotiating skills
Ability to remain calm in stressful fastpaced situations, and able to set priorities and multi task
Excellent and strong multitasker, who has the ability to work as a team player and be self motivated
Good business acumen and commercial awareness
Maintain a client perspective at all times
Ability to lead an event and direct client decision making
Financial management: ensuring accurate budgeting and invoicing throughout event
Ensure all KPIs and SLAs are consistently met
Ability to present information in a clear and concise way
Engage and communicate across diverse internal and external audiences
Gain the credibility and confidence of multiple audiences through creative solutions
To undertake face to face meetings with client when required to do so
To be a key member within the client's dedicated team to build, maintain and manage client's expectations and processes
Understanding and following client's specific processes and policies