About Us

Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry’s largest network of experts, Freeman’s insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 96-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter.

Summary

The Project Manager – Show Site applies industry knowledge to communicate and harmonize Freeman client's production requirements; improving efficiencies, controlling costs and providing a seamless flow of information. Works with sales following client contract, during, and after the event to ensure successful delivery of all production requirements.

This position will support our Audio Visual and Event Technology team. The position follows an in-person schedule working full-time in-office and/or show-site based out of Chicago, IL.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Participates in site surveys as needed to ensure proper planning of events

• Making initial contacts and arrangements with facilities regarding the upcoming event

• Collaboration with the Project Design Team to communicate customer expectations such / defines expectations of requirements to optimize design and engineering plans for each event to the expectations and budget

• Creating and managing event pre-production workflow and communication through project management application (i.e. Workfront)

• Collaboration with the Event Tech Logistics and Warehouse team on timelines and schedules.

• Collaborate with the Digital Services Lead and Streaming Lead (if needed) team to ensure a transparent, collaborative, and supportive integration with virtual offerings.

• Collaborating with National Labor for the appropriate staffing of the event

• Maintains a clear understanding of union jurisdictions and how they are to be applied

• Onsite supervisions of operational functions to ensure they are performed in a timely and cost-effective manner

• Daily meetings with on-site staff documenting changes & updates as required

• Communicates client objectives and operational plans to show-site staff

• Ensures pre-production meetings are scheduled and assists with facilitation

• Assists in the scheduling and coordination of trucking arrangements

• Develops production schedules, and facility arrangements for events as required

• Schedules and conducts event debrief meetings

• Conducts post show meetings with the Customer Solutions Manager to review all purchase orders, labor costs and equipment usage to ensure proper billing to the customer

• Compiles and produces post show reports

• Manage higher budget and technically challenging Show Services projects

• Provide a high level of communication, organization, and technical expertise to projects

• Performs other duties as assigned

Education & Experience

• Must have a strong knowledge of the convention, tradeshow and hotel industry / minimum 5-7 years in operations / project management

• Must be able to apply local venue requiements to event planning.

• Detail oriented

• Ability to multitask

• Ability to efficiently communicate and collaborate with supporting team members, customers, Growth leads, and Project Designers

• Leadership minded with an emphasis on ownership and personal accountability

• Demonstrate strong leadership skills and strategic thinking with the ability to flourish in a matrix organization.

• Project management experience with ability to manage project team activities

• Ability to manage difficult or emotional customer situations successfully and timely

• Understanding of business implications of decisions; working knowledge of competition

• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence

• Ability to speak effectively to multiple audiences internally and externally

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form

• Ability to make decisions based on computer-generated reports

• Ability to generate electronic reports

• Must be an innovative problem solver with the ability to deal quickly and effectively with issues

• Demonstrated experience in working with cross-functional teams and large programs

• Strong analytical, organizational, collaborative, and critical thinking skills required

• Meticulous attention to detail as well as superior organizational and creative thinking skills

• Must have experience juggling multiple deadlines with competing demands

• Excellent verbal and written communication, negotiation and presentation skills with the ability to effectively interact with numerous business teams

• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from employees, customers, or regulatory agencies

• Ability to relate and conduct theoretical discussions as applicable to specific technical topics

• Proven ability to complete basic design of audio, lighting, video, scenery, and rigging systems

• Ability to scope audio visual staging/production projects of various sizes

• Strong Microsoft Office Suite skills

• Proficient in Workfront (preferred)

• High School Graduate or GED, Bachelors in related field preferred

• Minimum of 3-5 years operations / project management in Audio/Visual or Staging

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred

• Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) preferred

Travel Requirements

Travel 25% to 50%

What We Offer

Freeman provides benefits that aim to empower our people and their families to thrive mentally, physically, and financially. These are a handful of the types of programs and benefits our full-time people may be eligible for. There may be some variances in specific benefits across regions.

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Paid Parental Leave

• Life, Accident and Disability

• Retirement with Company Match

• Paid Time Off

Diversity Commitment

At Freeman, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our customers and our communities around the world can reach their goals and connect with each other. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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