Company Name: Freshfields
Location: San Francisco Bay Area (Hybrid)
Type: Full Time
Salary: $150,000 – $205,000
Job Description:
This is a varied, high-impact role requiring strong collaboration, communication, and stakeholder management skills. The Senior Event Manager will build trusted relationships with senior internal stakeholders and key client contacts, working closely with brand and marketing, communications, business development, and operations teams across the global firm.
They will bring significant experience managing events in a fast-paced, client-focused environment and will be responsible for delivering high-quality, creative, and cost-effective client events, including programs, dinners, receptions, and bespoke experiences. These events will strengthen client relationships, support new business opportunities, and enhance Freshfields’ brand and reputation, with an exceptional standard of delivery and attention to detail expected throughout.
Working closely with Partners, lawyers, BD teams, and EAs/PAs, they will ensure events align with firm strategy and are delivered in line with global best practices. They will also contribute to internal events that support firmwide culture, communication, and business priorities.
The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking with strong operational execution, leading complex, high-profile events that elevate the brand and support relationship-building and revenue objectives.
With this context, the role holder will be responsible for working collaboratively as part of the Global Events team in the following:
- Strategic Leadership & Oversight
- Work with Event Leaders to help define and evolve the global events strategy in line with firm priorities
- Partner with senior stakeholders to shape client engagement and ensure alignment with business objectives
- Work with Event Leaders to establish global standards, governance, and best practices, acting as a senior advisor on high-profile events
- Oversee a portfolio of client and internal events, ensuring consistency and excellence
- Event Delivery & Stakeholder Engagement
- Plan and deliver high-quality client events, conferences, and internal programs aligned with firm strategy
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, clients, and external partners
- Collaborate closely with BD, Marketing, CRM, and Operations teams to deliver integrated, impactful events
- Advise stakeholders on event strategy, best practices, and processes
- Operational Excellence & Performance
- Ensure flawless execution, with exceptional standards of quality, creativity, and attention to detail
- Oversee vendors, budgets, and resource allocation to deliver cost-effective and scalable programs
- Use data, insights, and event technology to measure ROI and continuously improve performance
- Leadership & Continuous Improvement
- Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing team culture
- Drive innovation through new formats, technologies, and delivery approaches
- Continuously enhance processes and frameworks to improve efficiency, scalability, and impact
- Support colleagues and share best practices across the team
Key requirements (skills/experience)
- Degree educated, with extensive experience in a professional services or corporate environment (e.g. legal, accountancy, technology, consultancy)
- Significant experience delivering end-to-end event strategy and execution globally, including international conferences and high-end client events and hospitality
- Proven ability to operate at a senior level, influencing stakeholders and managing complex, high-value, multi-region programs
- Strong strategic thinking and commercial awareness, with the ability to link events to business outcomes
- Advanced expertise in budget management, vendor negotiation, and tracking ROI and performance
- Deep understanding of event technology, including virtual/hybrid platforms, registration systems, and data-driven insights
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with strong attention to detail (including writing and proofreading)
- Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams, clients, and suppliers
- Highly organized with strong project and time management skills; able to manage multiple priorities, tight deadlines, and changing requirements with resilience
- High level of emotional intelligence, sound judgment, creativity, and adaptability in fast-paced environments
- Experience supporting, coaching, or mentoring others, contributing to a collaborative, high-performing team culture
- Naturally curious, with a proactive mindset and a desire to continuously learn and develop as a trusted advisor
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Willingness to travel globally and work flexibly
EEO Statement
Freshfields US LLP is proud to be an equal employment employer. Our policies and practices will be free from unlawful discrimination based upon race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship, immigration status, ancestry, age, marital status, protected veteran status, military service, disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law. We strive to promote an atmosphere that encourages equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices, including sexual harassment.
