Assistant Events Manager – Personal Shopping - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Job Introduction

As the Assistant Events Manager - Personal Shopping (12-month FTC), you'll deliver a programme of exclusive market-leading events, projects and engagement initiatives for customers with a focus on driving Personal Shopping experiences in our Manchester Trafford store. Each experience will ensure our customers receive the most personal level of service, extraordinary experiences and tailored communications across all touchpoints.

• You will work closely with the Selfridges Experiences team and the Manchester Personal Shopping teams to execute events and activations which reward and retain our existing VIP customers whilst also delivering opportunities to acquire new customers. You will be responsible for managing the Personal Shopping events calendar, ensuring there is an engaging and compelling roster of activations planned across the year.
• You will collaborate with our brand partners across the store, with a focus on our Fashion, Accessories and Beauty brands, as well as seek opportunities with external partners to bring extraordinary experiences to our Selfridges customers.
• You will act as a strong and influential voice across the Experiences, Retail Operations and Personal Shopping teams to ensure that project needs are articulated and understood and to ensure that business wide objectives are met.
• Working on multiple, simultaneous complex projects, whilst managing various stakeholders and working cross-functionally with teams across the business. You will be an excellent communicator who will keep everyone up to speed and will bring teams and stakeholders on the journey with you. Not afraid to push the boundaries, ensuring that Selfridges remains a leader for customer experiences.

Role Scope and Key Responsibilities

This is a multi-faceted role which works collaboratively across various teams within the business. Reporting to the Senior Events Manager, key responsibilities and deliverables for this role will fall into 3 key areas.

1. Curation, planning and delivery of a calendar of events and experiences within the Trafford Personal Shopping destination to drive footfall and sales.
2. Supporting the VIP and Experiences teams with the curation and delivery of the events programming across the Manchester stores.
3. Identifying a network of key local partners within Manchester and the surrounding areas to engage and build relationships with. Identify unique opportunities and partnerships to bring to the Selfridges customer.

• Curate, develop & deliver strategic communications, events and experiences, both Selfridges and Brand Partner led, which support VIP and Unlocked membership initiatives with a focus of driving footfall into Personal Shopping in Trafford.
• Produce, project manage and deliver events and activities to an exceptionally high standard. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, planning, set up, staff management, hosting and production.
• Ideate and develop event and project proposals to ensure they reflect the Selfridges vision and are market-leading.
• Identify and engage with key partners across the North West, building lasting relationships. Identify unique opportunities and partnerships to bring to the Selfridges customer.
• Ideate and lead on opportunities to drive footfall into the Personal Shopping space, considering how the space could be used for a variety of events and experiences outside of brand takeovers and key calendar moments.
• Be a liaison between the Personal Shopping, Retail and Experiences teams, ensuring seamless communication, sharing of information and regular touch points.
• Support the VIP Experience team with delivery of VIP events in store, as well as communications and content planning.
• Cultivate exceptional relationships with Selfridges brand partners across all departments, including Fashion, Accessories, Beauty, Home and Food & Drink.
• Take full responsibility for the creation of Risk Assessments and briefing of Health & Safety, food technical, legal and data protection teams to ensure full compliance.
• Track and document all events including RSVPs, attendance, feedback, results, successes and learnings. Generate and present reports and tracking documents to measure ROI against set targets and objectives.
• Manage project budgets and effectively monitor and report finance, raise POs and manage suppliers.
• Create briefing documents and project packs suitable for Senior Leadership and act upon feedback where appropriate.
• Ensure all calendars and tracking documents are kept up to-date and regular updates are shared with the relevant teams as required.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships across the business and externally including with partners and suppliers.
• Support the wider Experiences teams (Manchester, Birmingham, London) as required to deliver events and experiences across category and calendar moments.

Key skills

• Experience in Events including production and communications (preferably Luxury retail)
• Great and natural ability to network, develop internal/external contacts and working relationships across a diverse range of functions and partners
• Excellent planning and project management skills
• Proven track record in producing multiple projects at once
• Strong ability to work on own initiative and to remain resilient when managing various responsibilities
• Ability to remain calm and collected under pressure with a flexible, solutions-oriented approach whilst hitting tight deadlines
• Creative flair and a commitment to quality programming
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience interacting with HNW individuals and/or luxury brands
• Excellent presentation and pitching skills
• Budget management
• Strong time management in a fast paced and multi-faceted environment
• A strong understanding of the Selfridges customer
• Event Management skills including Health & Safety, Security and Food Tech Experience
• Enthusiasm and passion to deliver innovative, creative and exciting projects
• Microsoft Office (Essential), Monday.com, Power BI (preferable however not essential)

Personal Attributes/ Behavioural Skills

• Able to communicate clearly and efficiently with people at all levels in a variety of functions
• Organised and able to work on multiple projects simultaneously
• Confident, determined and resilient
• Able to work quickly and accurately
• Able to think on feet and be reactive
• Desire and intention to work within a strong team unit

Salary

Competitive plus benefits

Working conditions

Contract: Temp

Working hours: 37.5