Manager, West Coast Events

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is one of the world’s leading international law firms. The Firm was established in 1884 and has approximately 2,000 lawyers. Headquartered in New York with 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., the Firm provides coordinated legal advice and transactional capability to clients around the globe. The Client Development & Engagement (CDE) function sits at the heart of the Firm’s growth strategy, bringing together business development, marketing, events and communications. Working closely with Partners, practice leaders, and cross functional teams, CDE supports high impact initiatives such as pitches and RFPs, strategic marketing and communications, and practice level business initiatives. The team leverages data, insights, and creative problem solving to help Partners drive sustained growth through repeatable excellence and differentiated client experience. The Manager, West Coast Events is responsible for supporting the Firm’s business development initiatives by executing high quality and 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 supports multiple departments to ensure the Firm's high standards of excellence are consistently met. Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities Manage all aspects of Firm-sponsored events, with a focus on regional events, of all sizes and formats, from planning and development to execution and post-event follow-up, working in collaboration with Client Development & Engagement, Events, Los Angeles and Bay Area Administration and Legal Recruiting colleagues and other key stakeholders. These events can include, but are not limited to, practice group events, office events, partner events, recruiting events and various client-related events. Keep abreast of industry activity and introduce innovative ideas to contribute to the Firm’s strategic priorities. Develop and manage event budgets, track expenses and approvals during planning process, review and process invoices and conduct post-event reconciliation and ROI. Oversee and provide logistical event support including, but not limited to, venue and vendor research, site inspections, contract negotiations, invitation design, development of invitation lists and mailings, menu selection, décor, staffing, promotional items, etc. Establish event protocol, ensuring an exceptional standard of delivery, service, and attention to detail. Develop ways to optimize the event planning process (e.g., leveraging new event technology, identifying ways to improve attendee experience, analyzing event success, determining creative and cost-effective approaches, etc.) Negotiate contracts for venues, caterers and other vendors and suppliers, working closely with the Firm’s internal contract review team to ensure compliance. Partners closely and effectively with other colleagues in Events, Client Development & Engagement, Legal Talent and Legal Recruiting, and Los Angeles and Bay Area Administration, helping to monitor progress of each event to ensure checkpoints and objectives are achieved. Serve as liaison between Office of General Counsel, internal stakeholders and third parties to ensure seamless contracting process for venues, caterers and other vendors and suppliers by maintaining version control, monitoring deadlines, requesting status updates and ensuring all parties’ requests are clearly communicated and thoroughly reviewed. Establish and cultivate relationships with restaurants, caterers, hotels, and other event-related service providers. Keep abreast of new restaurant openings as well as restaurant closings and any changes in ratings. Maintain and ensure the integrity of the Firm’s CRM