Events & Professional Development Manager - UK & Ireland

at  Virtuoso Ltd

Virtuoso® is the leading global travel agency network specializing in luxury and experiential travel. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 1,200 travel agency locations with 20,000 travel advisors in 50 countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Drawing upon its preferred relationships with more than 2,200 of the world’s best hotels and resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations, the network provides its upscale clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Normalized annual sales of (U.S.) $25-$30 billion make Virtuoso a powerhouse in the luxury travel industry. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.
The Events & Professional Development Manager is essential to the delivery of the Regional Events and Professional Development budgets for the UK & Ireland region. This includes the planning and delivery of all the regional events, as well as the design and implementation of the regional Professional Development plan.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Work with the Marketing Manager UK/Ireland to plan and deliver all UK/Ireland regional events as assigned by either Marketing Manager or General Manager UK & Ireland.
• Work closely with the General Manager, Marketing Manager and Professional Development & Training team in US to regionalize US Focused courses for regional relevance.
• Plan and execute the regional events and Professional Development business plans and budgets.
• Ensure compliance with the Virtuoso “playbook”.
• Delivery of the key performance metrics as outlined in the Regional Business Plan.
• Events:
• Work with Partners or venues on proposals for future event locations.
• Work with Virtuoso’s proprietary Event Management software to include, but not limited to, build event registration site & event specific questions, build program agenda, build event fees as related to the specific event, manage participant changes, and note record, accordingly, manage rooming requests for pre & post days, generates reports for rooming list, name badges, event RSVP and performs mail merges.
• Create, duplicate, distribute, and assemble meeting & event materials as requested.
• Assist with research necessary to complete event site content write-up to include all information pertinent to the event that should be communicated to attendees during event registration period.
• Travel to assigned regional events to provide onsite support to include, but not limited to audit rooming list, and name badges, set up Registration Desk, welcome & greet participants and other duties to ensure the success of the event.
• Assist to build Post Event Survey for all assigned regional events and download results to be posted internally to assigned Virtuoso Team.
• Manages all packing and shipping for assigned regional events to include, but not limited to printing of handout materials, as needed, office materials, event specific supplies.
• If required by Corporate to travel to Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas, NV to support an event of 6,000+ attendees which takes place in August every year. Travel length for this event is 2 weeks including 1 weekend.
• Follow-up communication via email and phone calls with event participants. Work in Zoho platform to answer support tickets submitted for Events.
• Professional Development:
• Recommend, develop, curate and facilitate professional development and training for UK/Ireland Members including for regional event agendas.
• Develop a feedback loop to assure that courses meet audience needs (validated by improved performance) to improve the quality, effectiveness, and value of training.
• Manage processes, implementation, and results of Virtuoso UK/Ireland regional Live and Pre-Record Webinar and Immersion Programs in the region.
• Host and facilitate live webinars via GoToWebinar/Zoom and troubleshoot issues as needed.
• Co-ordinate and communicate pre-recorded product webinars to members as needed.
• Advise partners on promotional content and presentation best practices.
• Conduct pre-webinar content reviews/practice sessions (when requested) to ensure quality presentations.
• Responsible for the timely execution, accuracy and integrity of assigned partner training.
• Export and format all webinar/training program reports and summaries.
• Oversee and manage webinar scheduling, including scheduling in GoToWebinar/Zoom, updating the scheduling SmartSheet, Magazine Manager and sending confirmation emails to partners.
• Maintain processes for uploading webinar recordings.
• Coordinate all content for the weekly training newsletter, including submission reminders, organizing promotional materials, and editing for content and accuracy.
• Proactive interdepartmental engagement.
• Create content and conduct monthly regional market update meetings for partners.

EDUCATIONAL AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 2-4 years’ experience and qualification in Business, Travel & Tourism or Marketing OR
• 5+ years related work experience including the following:
• Strong experience in the industry
• Understanding of the market
• Experience contributing at a senior level to team performance
• Prior experience in event planning and delivery
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent presentation skills
• Results orientated with a focus on commercial delivery.
• Strong quality service attitude and approach
• Self-motivated and energetic
• Champion of company goals and objectives
• Innovation – Forward thinking, curious, & creative
• Marketplace Awareness – Current business trend knowledge
• Analytical Skills– Ability to collect and analyze information, problem solve, and make decisions
• Collaboration – Strong skills in inspiring the win-win-win
• Self-Starter - Ability to work independently.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• 20%-35% - Travel to events within region or international, plus Virtuoso Travel Week.
• Travel will be primarily domestic but may include some international.

• Work with the Marketing Manager UK/Ireland to plan and deliver all UK/Ireland regional events as assigned by either Marketing Manager or General Manager UK & Ireland.
• Work closely with the General Manager, Marketing Manager and Professional Development & Training team in US to regionalize US Focused courses for regional relevance.
• Plan and execute the regional events and Professional Development business plans and budgets.
• Ensure compliance with the Virtuoso “playbook”.
• Delivery of the key performance metrics as outlined in the Regional Business Plan.
• Events:
• Work with Partners or venues on proposals for future event locations.
• Work with Virtuoso’s proprietary Event Management software to include, but not limited to, build event registration site & event specific questions, build program agenda, build event fees as related to the specific event, manage participant changes, and note record, accordingly, manage rooming requests for pre & post days, generates reports for rooming list, name badges, event RSVP and performs mail merges.
• Create, duplicate, distribute, and assemble meeting & event materials as requested.
• Assist with research necessary to complete event site content write-up to include all information pertinent to the event that should be communicated to attendees during event registration period.
• Travel to assigned regional events to provide onsite support to include, but not limited to audit rooming list, and name badges, set up Registration Desk, welcome & greet participants and other duties to ensure the success of the event.
• Assist to build Post Event Survey for all assigned regional events and download results to be posted internally to assigned Virtuoso Team.
• Manages all packing and shipping for assigned regional events to include, but not limited to printing of handout materials, as needed, office materials, event specific supplies.
• If required by Corporate to travel to Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas, NV to support an event of 6,000+ attendees which takes place in August every year. Travel length for this event is 2 weeks including 1 weekend.
• Follow-up communication via email and phone calls with event participants. Work in Zoho platform to answer support tickets submitted for Events.
• Professional Development:
• Recommend, develop, curate and facilitate professional development and training for UK/Ireland Members including for regional event agendas.
• Develop a feedback loop to assure that courses meet audience needs (validated by improved performance) to improve the quality, effectiveness, and value of training.
• Manage processes, implementation, and results of Virtuoso UK/Ireland regional Live and Pre-Record Webinar and Immersion Programs in the region.
• Host and facilitate live webinars via GoToWebinar/Zoom and troubleshoot issues as needed.
• Co-ordinate and communicate pre-recorded product webinars to members as needed.
• Advise partners on promotional content and presentation best practices.
• Conduct pre-webinar content reviews/practice sessions (when requested) to ensure quality presentations.
• Responsible for the timely execution, accuracy and integrity of assigned partner training.
• Export and format all webinar/training program reports and summaries.
• Oversee and manage webinar scheduling, including scheduling in GoToWebinar/Zoom, updating the scheduling SmartSheet, Magazine Manager and sending confirmation emails to partners.
• Maintain processes for uploading webinar recordings.
• Coordinate all content for the weekly training newsletter, including submission reminders, organizing promotional materials, and editing for content and accuracy.
• Proactive interdepartmental engagement.
• Create content and conduct monthly regional market update meetings for partners