Groups & Events Director (MICE)
Full time Monday – Friday – 37.5 hours – flexibility to suit business and customer needs including evenings and weekends
We are looking for an experienced Groups & Events Director (MICE) to join our business at an exciting time at this growing Travel Division of two recently merged Travel management Companies (Good Travel Management and CT Travel Group) that overnight have turned into an £85m turnover company, with ambitious growth plans.
We are part of high growth, innovative 6th generation family business – John Good Group, who over the past two years have undergone considerable transformation and growth, including multiple acquisitions in several sectors.
As we join together to make one powerful force in the MICE arena. With specialisms already in place in Incentive Groups, Air group travel, trade missions and meetings and conferencing, this is an exciting opportunity for our brand new Groups & Events Director to lead two successful operations and take them to the next stage in their strategic growth journey.
Reporting into our COO, the successful candidate will drive forward the integration of both divisions, with the main objective to work on a combination of execution and delivering the integration of both teams, day to day BAU and the future strategy of our MICE division.
This really is a fantastic opportunity for someone who really wants to own and take the opportunity forward and be part of the next chapter of our story.
Some key aspects of the role will include:
- To have full leadership responsibility for the successful day-to-day operations within the department, including the operational management of the end-to-end workflow
- Work in conjunction with the COO to establish and be accountable for an annual budget which is demonstrating year on year growth through turnover and profit
- To be accountable for the end-to-end sales process including quotes, content, design and overall client experience
- To strategically plan and identify growth opportunities for the department – from the existing client base within the combined companies (Corporate and Leisure)
- Motivating, empowering, and engaging direct reports. Ensuring Check-ins are undertaken, development are plans in place, KPI’s are set, progression status updated, and issues addressed in accordance with Company policies
- To provide a pro-active and dynamic approach to working and developing the division, liaising with the Group Services Marketing department to generate new ideas and market opportunities
- To have responsibility for client account management and retention
- Delivery of projects from proposal to delivery and going the extra mile to ensure their success
- Delivery of end-to-end delegate management including undertaking onsite Event Project Management including risk assessments
- Take the lead onsite and travel with groups both domestically and internationally managing the team and end to end client delivery
- To work with our Travel Technology Department to identify and implement new technology solutions for the division for the benefit of efficiency and client experience
- Provide out of hours and DR assistance where required
What we are looking for:
- Extensive experience and a proven track record of working in MICE at a senior level, handling around a £9m turnover, with excellent destination and product knowledge
- Proven to be forward-thinking, innovative, with strong commercial and industry awareness
- A creative thinker who can think on their feet; dynamic, enthusiastic, and positive in approach
- Strong leadership and people management skills with a track record of managing, developing, engaging, and leading high-performing teams
- Track record of successful engagement with stakeholders at all levels and building relationships quickly, including liaising effectively with a Board and holding your own at a senior level
- Proven experience in the day-to-day running of a department with a commercial, strategic and growth-focused mindset, setting and managing budgets, driving results, setting targets, and employing an analytical mindset
- Experience of completing RFP processes, including submissions
- Proven experience of MICE events, both domestically and internationally, including traveling on high-profile incentive events
- Experience with Cvent and / or other Event Management Software. Good working knowledge and understanding of Amadeus and Travelport (GDS experience would be an advantage)
- Proven experience of delivery of projects from proposal to execution, ensuring exceptional results
- Outstanding troubleshooting and problem-solving skills analytical mindset, ensuring smooth operations and timely solutions
- Accomplished negotiator
- High levels of self-awareness and emotional intelligence
- Ability to work autonomously, address day-to-day issues, and exercise sound judgment when escalation is required
- Proven ability to manage stakeholders and client relationships effectively
