Events Manager at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for an Events Manager in the Human Capital and Communications portfolio. The incumbent will be responsible for the planning and execution of CSIR events and stakeholder interactions in line with the CSIR brand, policies and client requirements. He/she will, in close collaboration with the External Communications Manager, proactively conceptualise events and oversee the implementation of events across the CSIR. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide strategic support and advice to the External Communication Manager on all events-related projects.

• Conceptualise, plan and oversee the implementation of events in line with the event objectives, within an allocated budget and approved timeframes.

• Provide strategic advice and input into the communication planning process as it relates to all events that are either hosted by the CSIR or in which the CSIR is participating.

• Project manage events with an internal and external focus from conception to implementation and report back.

• Produce periodic events reports, in line with organisational reporting.

• Procure and arrange pre-event briefings with event suppliers and facility providers to ensure smooth execution of events.

• Produce detailed proposals, event planning documents and cost breakdown as per event requirements for sign off and approval .

• Liaise with colleagues to co-ordinate the creation, design and content development of event-specific marketing collateral and to fulfil event-specific editorial requirements

• Implement protocol advice and etiquette at high level and during stakeholder visits

• Compile post-event reports and provide content for the CSIR intraweb as and when required, and for internal and external events.

• Manage relationships with suppliers, stakeholders, planning committees and other internal support structures to ensure quality and timely delivery of events.

• Support the implementation of the CSIR’s Outreach and CSIR programmes

• Manage and oversee the annual budget allocations.

• Monitor and manage the co-ordination of logistics for the CSIR’s participation at strategic stakeholder events such as exhibitions and conferences.

• Provide strategic advice and manage the execution of CSIR events, which may be in-person; hybrid; or virtual.

• Manage event collateral requirements to ensure that appropriate CSIR promotional material is always available at events.

• Supervise and manage events practitioners and general events assistants in execution of tasks assigned to them.

• Manage portfolio’s task and project allocation as and when requested by the External Communication Manager.

• Develop a CSIR events calendar, and manage its execution in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

• Provide advice and support to the organisation’s administrative staff for events that are cluster/portfolio specific.

• Manage the events storeroom, including furniture and inventory.

• Monitor and update the CSIR’s events management framework, policy and guidelines documents.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

•  A Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations Management with at least seven years’ experience in events management, of which four years should be in project management;

• Protocol Certificate;

• Project management experience;

• Advanced communication skills, both written and verbal;

• Strong presentation skills and the ability to negotiate for a common goal;

• Advanced computer literacy;

• Creativity and innovation;

• Adaptability (Ability to multi-task and handle pressure);

• Networking skills;

• Understanding of how to position/exhibit physical and non-physical elements through eventing, eg: technologies and capabilities;

• Strong organisational skills;

• Decisive and critical thinker;

• Highly motivate individual who works well in large teams, yet self-directed;

• Problem-solving skills;

• Ability and confidence to engage with internal and external executives and senior leaders, including high-profiled stakeholders;

• Well-versed in latest technologies and software for events as well as virtual eventing;

• People management; and strong relationship building.

Closing date: 25 January 2022