Event Manager

About Bridge Enterprise Centres (BEC)

Bridge Enterprise Centres (BEC) located in Nutgrove, Rathfarnham, Dublin, operates as a comprehensive business support hub. It offers office space, hot desks, postal services, and facilities for meeting and conference room hire. The centre hosts a vibrant calendar of business events and oversees the DLR West Business Association (DLRWBA), a nonprofit that empowers SMEs in Dublin through networking, expert-led workshops, and practical business guidance on subjects like AI, sustainability, and customer engagement. BEC also houses TheHub@Bridge, a specialised enterprise support hub for early-stage founders and growing enterprises, providing workspace, mentoring, and networking opportunities within an entrepreneurial community.

Role Summary

We are in search of an innovative and proactive Event Manager to take full responsibility for our diverse event programming. The position requires planning and executing high-quality events that enhance participant engagement, attendance, and revenue growth for both BEC and DLRWBA.

Key Duties

• Organize and implement a varied monthly event schedule including webinars, networking sessions, lunch and learn presentations, breakfast briefings, and the DLRWBA "Second Tuesday" gatherings.
• Identify current business topics and secure compelling speakers and presenters to lead events.
• Oversee all logistical aspects of events, from venue setup, registrations, AV and catering arrangements, participant communications, to follow-up activities.
• Host and moderate events delivered both in physical venues and virtual platforms.
• Develop and conduct marketing campaigns for events using email, social media, website content, and local advertising channels.
• Maximize revenue through various channels including event sponsorships, ticketing, and promotion of BEC and DLRWBA services such as membership, room hire, workspace rentals, and enterprise support programmes.
• Manage the events and marketing budgets ensuring proper expenditure controls.
• Negotiate with suppliers, venues, caterers, and service partners to secure cost-effective, high-quality arrangements.
• Foster strong relationships with local business entities, sponsors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Track and analyze attendance, lead generation, revenues, and engagement metrics, producing regular reports with insights and improvement recommendations.
• Advocate for TheHub@Bridge by promoting its services to entrepreneurs, start-ups, and scaling businesses via events, partnerships, and marketing strategies.
• Generate and manage leads and referrals showcasing TheHub@Bridge's mentoring, workspace, and business development programmes.

Required Skills and Experience

• At least three years of proven experience managing events.
• Demonstrated capability in producing both in-person and virtual events from concept to completion.
• Familiarity with HubSpot CRM, including its event campaign, email marketing, and reporting functionalities.
• Excellent organisational and project coordination skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Commercial acumen with a track record in generating revenue initiatives.
• Proven budget management and cost control expertise.
• Creativity in designing engaging event concepts tailored for SME audiences.
• Marketing skills spanning email, LinkedIn, social media, web content, and local outreach.
• Skilled in creating graphics and promotional materials using Canva.
• Technical proficiency with event technologies such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other webinar platforms; adept at managing AV requirements for live and hybrid formats.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including PowerPoint for professional presentations and Excel for budgeting and reporting.
• Competence in authoring captivating event-related copy and stakeholder liaison.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with paid digital advertising campaigns on platforms like LinkedIn, Google, or Meta.
• Background collaborating with SMEs, business associations, or support organizations.
• Success in securing sponsorships and partnership deals.
• Familiarity with analytics and performance reporting tools.

Personal Qualities

• Energetic, self-starting, and highly motivated individual.
• Meticulous organiser with keen attention to detail.
• Confident public speaker and effective networking facilitator.
• Adaptable, professional, and problem-solving oriented.
• Commercially aware with a focus on achieving measurable results.
• Passionate about aiding entrepreneurs, startups, and SME growth locally.

Benefits

• Participation in a pension scheme.
• Complimentary on-site parking facilities.
• Flexible working hours to accommodate personal commitments while maintaining onsite presence.
• Opportunity to significantly contribute to a dynamic and expanding business community.