Overview
* Brand: Quality Food Awards
* Base Location: Croydon, London
* Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent, Hybrid
* Salary: £32,000 - £35,000 DOE + Bonus
emap is a progressive B2B media, content, events, subscription and networking business. We connect influential people and organisations with a high-value network of decision-makers, data and ideas through our industry-leading B2B portfolio of brands.
Quality Food Awards (QFA) has been running for over 45 years in the UK and over 10 years in Ireland. QFA is a large-scale product awards programme for the grocery retail and foodservice sectors.
Responsibilities
* Oversee logistics for QFA's awards, judging and bespoke events.
* Work within a team of 3 (Marketing Manager and Sales Manager) and report to the QFA Brand Director; responsible for all operational elements of the QFA event portfolio.
* Work in a hybrid setting, based in the Croydon office 3 days a week and 2 days from home; during judging periods onsite up to 5 days per week, sometimes for 3-4 weeks.
* Travel regularly, particularly to Dublin for the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards and Judging.
* Assume logistical responsibility of the QFA event portfolio from inception through to execution.
* Manage a network of contract and freelance support in the lead up and during judging events, taking ownership of recruitment and onsite processes.
* Collaborate with the central operations team and utilise junior support where required throughout the year, identifying key points for additional support.
* Become an ambassador for the brand, attend networking events and build a network of senior contacts in the industry; build exceptional working relationships with judges.
* Manage a portfolio of pre-defined leading industry awards and judging days (physical & virtual) on time, below budget, and to the required standard, ensuring that brand values are met.
* Manage P&L/budgets for individual events with a focus on value for money and maximise contribution to the wider business; track and monitor P&L of individual events (revenue, costs and profit).
* Maintain tight control of the cost base for each event to ensure profit targets are beaten.
* Build cross-functional relationships with internal stakeholders to support the success and strategic aims of the event and/or brand.
* Build strong relationships with suppliers (AV teams, venues, entertainers, etc.) and negotiate to ensure the best value.
* Manage customer relationships with critical sponsors, judges and delegates; act as a point of contact, solve problems, escalate issues as needed and collate customer feedback to identify areas for improvement.
* Fulfill sponsorship deliverables with attention to detail to maximise return on investment.
* Analyse year-on-year performance and lead or participate in event debrief discussions, identifying future trends or improvements.
* Identify areas for event growth and future opportunities for the brands, particularly new launches in the grocery retail sector.
* Proofread content throughout the event process.
* Own ownership, accountability, and reporting for all logistical elements of the allocated events.
* Implement and schedule event timelines and planning cycle according to planning framework, ensuring deadlines are adhered to.
* Manage and assist with full awards entry process.
* Manage awards judging days (in person and virtual); invite and maintain regular communication with judges and VIPs.
* Provide accurate and regular reporting of revenues, profits and KPI's vs targets; record weekly entries and shortlist conversion rates.
* Communicate regularly and coherently all relevant information and key developments with line manager and full project team.
* Work with AV providers to create first-class event production, collate shortlist, winners and sponsors content to create awards presentations.
* Liaise with event venues on menus, final numbers, specific event requirements and function sheets.
* Produce risk assessments and collate Health & Safety documentation from all third-party suppliers.
* Collaborate with Marketing and Content teams to deliver brand-aligned digital and print collateral, proofing and testing event websites and ensuring content meets guidelines.
Skills and Experience
* 2-3 years minimum experience working in a B2B role in awards.
* Experience in delivering complex projects/bespoke events, ability to apply own initiative and ideas to process implementation.
* Exceptional attention to detail and organisational skills.
* Demonstrable knowledge of managing costs within a budget.
* Experience of risk assessments/health and safety/contingency planning.
* Ability to network, connect and foster relationships of a senior level.
* A personal passion or work experience in food and drink preferred.
* Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
Core Competencies
* Exceptional verbal and written communication, with strong negotiation skills.
* A strategic thinker with excellent planning and organisational skills.
* The ability to work well under pressure, maintaining high standards in a fast-paced environment while meeting multiple deadlines.
* Commercially focused with a strong understanding of finance, profit and loss statements and budgets.
* Able to read and interpret data effectively.
* Takes a creative approach to everyday challenges.
* Capability to multitask effectively, and prioritise a high-volume workload across multiple projects.
* Can demonstrate sound judgement with the ability to interpret and analyze complex and sensitive information.
* A team player, but able to work independently and on own initiative.
* Proactive and confident - not afraid to constructively challenge ideas where appropriate.
* Confident at building strong working relationships both internally and externally.
* Willingness to travel abroad for events and be onsite for long periods of time.
Personal Attributes
* Confident and enthusiastic events professional.
* Organised and resourceful.
* Self-motivated, self-sufficient and accountable.
* Deadline driven and results orientated.
* Team player.
* Sharp attention to detail.
* Adaptable and flexible to change.
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