Manager, West Coast Events

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is one of the world’s leading international law firms, established in 1884 with approximately 2,000 lawyers. Headquartered in New York, the Firm has offices in Beijing, Boston, Brussels, Dallas, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Luxembourg, Palo Alto, San Francisco, São Paulo, Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C., providing coordinated legal advice and transactional capability to clients globally.

About the role

The Manager, West Coast Events supports the Firm’s business development initiatives by executing high-quality, engaging events and other assignments while providing outstanding client service in a fast-paced environment. This role reports to the Director, Client Development & Engagement (Los Angeles) with a dotted line to the Director of Events (New York) and collaborates with multiple departments to maintain the Firm's high standards of excellence.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of Firm-sponsored events, focusing on regional events of all sizes and formats, from planning and development to execution and post-event follow-up, in collaboration with Client Development & Engagement, Events, Los Angeles and Bay Area Administration, Legal Recruiting, and other key stakeholders. Events include practice group events, office events, partner events, recruiting events, and client-related events.
• Stay abreast of industry activity and introduce innovative ideas to support the Firm’s strategic priorities.
• Develop and manage event budgets, track expenses and approvals, review and process invoices, and conduct post-event reconciliation and ROI analysis.
• Oversee and provide logistical event support, including venue and vendor research, site inspections, contract negotiations, invitation design, invitation list development and mailings, menu selection, décor, staffing, and promotional items.
• Establish event protocol to ensure an exceptional standard of delivery, service, and attention to detail.
• Optimize the event planning process by leveraging new event technology, improving attendee experience, analyzing event success, and identifying creative and cost-effective approaches.
• Negotiate contracts for venues, caterers, and other vendors, working closely with the Firm’s internal contract review team to ensure compliance.
• Partner effectively with colleagues in Events, Client Development & Engagement, Legal Talent, Legal Recruiting, and Los Angeles and Bay Area Administration to monitor event progress and ensure checkpoints and objectives are achieved.
• Serve as a liaison between the Office of General Counsel, internal stakeholders, and third parties to ensure a seamless contracting process for venues, caterers, and other vendors by maintaining version control, monitoring deadlines, requesting status updates, and ensuring clear communication and thorough review of all requests.
• Establish and cultivate relationships with restaurants, caterers, hotels, and other event-related service providers, staying informed about new restaurant openings, closings, and changes in ratings.
• Maintain and ensure the integrity of the Firm’s CRM by adding and updating event-related information.
• Coordinate and execute the Los Angeles-based client holiday gifting program in partnership with the Director of Administration and Events teams, including selecting and sourcing thoughtful gifts, ensuring timely ordering and delivery, coordinating internally to avoid duplicate gifting, and logging all gifts and recipients for tracking, compliance, and CRM purposes.
• Support other Firm initiatives and work with stakeholders in other departments and offices as needed.
• Perform additional duties as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; preferred majors include Advertising, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related fields.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant events management experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong planning, time management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a demanding environment.
• Attention to detail and self-motivation to produce accurate, timely, and complete work.
• Strong project management skills, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills to make sound decisions, provide solutions or recommendations, and escalate as appropriate.
• Ability to interact well and build professional relationships through networking and collaboration while maintaining high levels of customer service, diplomacy, and discretion.
• Ability to effectively communicate and engage with Partners, clients, colleagues, and vendors.
• Ability to anticipate information requests to meet internal and external client needs, providing exceptional customer service.
• Positive can-do attitude, professional demeanor, and team-player behavior.
• Ability to quickly develop organizational astuteness and understand the Firm’s culture, vision, policies, and practices.
• Must be able to commute for in-office work a minimum of four days per week.
• Flexibility to work additional hours as needed and travel as required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud programs.
• Preferred: Experience in a professional services office environment and demonstrated experience using a Client Relationship Management (CRM) system.

Pay

For California-based roles, the estimated base salary range for this position is $170,000 to $210,000 at the time of posting. The actual salary offered will depend on factors including the applicant’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, level of education, certifications, and location. This role is exempt and not eligible for overtime pay. Simpson Thacher will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.