So Simone

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Mobile: 07908 512 522

Email: me@so-simone.com

PERSONAL PROFILE

I am an international event, marketing & project management professional with over 10 years of event, project management and marketing experience, gained in the corporate, public sector and music, media and entertainment industry where I have worked with various companies including large blue chip firms, financial service institutions, analyst houses, trade association, local and central government, and coordinated events in world class venues across the globe. My varied experience has provided me with a wealth of key skills, notably the ability to view all projects from a 360 degree perspective. Drawing on the rich content of my skill base to ensure all projects are run efficiently, completed on time and delivered to the highest specification possible.

CAREER EXPERIENCE

Gilead Sciences Europe Ltd March 2016 – present

Global Biopharmaceutical Company, focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative medicines.

EMEA Commercial Operations Event Manager

• Strategic development of EMEA event and congress processes
• Development of standardised templates and documents
• Roll out of event process management across EMEA affiliates
• Management of Congress, product launches and medium to large meetings and events.

Internal Communications, Event Technology & Training

• Development of event internal communication strategy
• Design and development of internal and vendor M&E training program and collateral
• Design and implementation management of event technology templates and training program for vendor
• Management of EMEA commercial event technology deployment (apps, websites and software)

Vendor Relationship Management

• Development and management of Vendor template documents
• Development and management of agency on boarding process
• Vendor training on Gilead AGS360 tool for HCP transparency management and reporting
• Management of vendor allocation and RFP’s and pitching processes
• Support to the Global Travel Manager for new vendor procurement and MSA’s

Reporting

• Monthly financial reporting covering multi-currency event expenditure
• Monthly event activity reporting
• Event and sponsorship transparency reporting in line with EFPIA and Sunshine Act

Contracts, Budgets & Finance

• Preparation of event contracts, CDA and Master Service Agreements
• Responsibility of logistics multi-currency budgets in excess of 5 million
• Multi-currency financial reconciliations post event
• Preparation of budgets and financial forecasting

Security, Regulation & Industry compliance

• Document control and management including submission of documents for Zinc MAP’s review
• Review of venue, travel and accommodation options in line with EFPIA, ABPI, IFPMA and the Sunshine Act
• Risk assessment and mitigation planning, including contracting of event security service providers

Exhibition & Event Operations

• Overall responsibility for EMEA Commercial events and event participation
• Management of onsite support teams (Security, IT, Logistics)
• Management of congress logistics (travel, accommodation, onsite activities)
• Sponsorship agreement and event contract management including exhibition space
• Involvement in the design and development of exhibition strategies
• End to end responsibility for internal & external product launch events
• Production of floor plans and operational documents
• Venue sourcing, compliance reviews, site inspections and event security
• Vendor negotiations and contract management
• Budget Management

CWT M&E – Implant for Gilead Sciences Ltd Oct 2014 – Feb 2016

Client implant for Gilead Sciences Europe Ltd, covering EMEA and Asia Pacific regions.

EMEA Commercial Operations Event Manager (CWT M&E – Meeting Planner)

• Full operational delivery of events and congresses within EMEA
• Contracts, Budgets & Financial management
• Management of event security, Regulation & Industry compliance
• Strategic development of EMEA event and congress processes
• Development of standardised templates and documents
• Roll out of event process management across EMEA affiliates
• Management of Congress, product launches and medium to large meetings and events.
• Development and management of Vendor template documents
• Development and management of agency on boarding process
• Vendor training on Gilead AGS360 tool for HCP transparency management and reporting
• Management of vendor allocation and RFP’s and pitching processes
• Support to the Global Travel Manager for new vendor procurement and MSA’s
• Monthly financial reporting covering multi-currency event expenditure
• Monthly event activity reporting
• Event and sponsorship transparency reporting in line with EFPIA and Sunshine Act

IC Event (part of the IC Publications Group) June 2014 – Sept 2014 (Contract)

In house event division for IC Publication brand events and commercial events

African Mayor Awards Manager

• Research and procurement of Awards software platform
• Management of Awards software implementation
• Awards timeline development

Global Corporate Venturing (Mawsonia Ltd) Aug 2013 – June 2014

Boutique publishing house covering corporate venture capital, data, research and global investments.

• Event Manager
• Full 360 of event logistics and operations management
• Planning and management of webinars
• Sponsorship development and activation
• Event budget management, reconciliations, maximizing profitability, financial reporting and project budgets
• Development of seminar and workshop programme, social activities schedule and co-located event programme
• Development of event Marketing plan and segmented campaign to drive local and international sales
• Event communications, management and content for all sponsors, exhibitors, event delegates and prospects
• Development of marketing strategy for local and international delegates and sponsorship propositions
• Sourcing of venues and suppliers for key services such as DMCs, Production, Stand Build, Print & PR
• Key contact with external design agencies and procurement management of design services
• Management of advert production and event related graphic design including production of basic graphic design
• Exhibition management
• Award show production and content development
• Production of video production, graphics design and photography briefs
• Management of all event marketing collateral, print and digital

Additional Projects

• Management on the roll out of Microsoft
• Project Management of the introduction of the GCV Symposium and GUV Summit website
• Management of the introduction of industry association partnership programme
• Management of the introduction of media publication partnerships

EWI Organisation May 2013 – Aug 2013

(Freelance Contract)

EWI International Exhibition & Retreat staged annually in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The EWI Exhibition & Retreat is part of the Wilde Foundation a not for profit organisation to protect the rights of women and children.

Event & Marketing Project Manager

• Development of seminar and workshop programme, social activities schedule and co-located event programme
• Development of the revised Marketing plan and segmented campaign to drive local and international sales
• Development of B2C marketing strategy for local and international visitors
• Development of Sponsorship proposition and activation plan
• Sourcing suppliers for key services such as DMCs, Production, Stand Build, Print & PR
• Preparation of Exhibitor proposition and Operations manual

Reed Travel Exhibitions part of the Reed Elsevier Group Sept 2012 – May 2013

(Fixed Term Contract)

The world's leading events organiser. WTM Latin America is a launch B2B event in Sao Paulo, Brazil for Leisure Travel, MICE & Business professionals.

Manager - WTM Latin America Hosted Buyer Programme

• Onsite Event Management of Programme activities including operational delivery of delegate logistics
• Design & development of programme and strategy for WTM Latin America Hosted Buyer Programme
• Hosted Buyer account management – MICE & Leisure Travel sector professionals
• Design and development of application/registration system
• Design and development of multi lingual Exhibitor participation application/registration system
• Media partner identification, negotiations and management
• Contract negotiation with appointed logistics agency/DMC service provider
• Management of $400,000 budget, including budget reconciliation, multi-currency budget reporting (USD, Brazilian Real, GBP & EUR)
• Programme Marketing communications development & campaign management including social media
• Recruitment of 250 international senior buyers form Leisure Travel & MICE sector
• Management of sponsored programme activation and delivery
• Development of sponsorship proposals and activiation

Screen Nation Media Group (International Film & TV Awards Media Agency) April 2012 – Aug 2012

(Fixed Term Contract)

The Screen Nation Foundation recognises global diversity in film, media and television.

Interim Head of Event Programmes

Etherlive April 2012 –June 2012

(Fixed Term Contract)

Event Technology

Ciient Services Manager

The Coca Cola Company Jan 2012 – April 2012

(Fixed Term Contract)

The Coca Cola Company is the world's leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups, and produces nearly 400 brands.

Coca Cola London 2012 Torchbearer Coordinator

Screen Nation Media Group (International Film & TV Awards Media Agency) Aug 2011 – Dec 2011

(Fixed Term Contract)Onsite Event Management of Programme activities including operational delivery of delegate logistics

BCD Meetings & Incentives (MICE) May 2011 – Aug 2011 (Contract)

BCD M&I provides a full range of services for the MICE market (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events).

Project Manager

KPL Logistics (Software & Logistics) Aug 2010 – April 2011 (Contract)

Logistics, Consultancy and software Development Company operating within Logistics industry, clients include DHL, Geodis, Ford & Dunelm

Project Manager – Events & Client Relations

In Demand Agency (Event & Talent Agency) Nov 2009 – Aug 2010 (Contract)

In Demand Agency: providing unique and professional consultancy, live music production, event management, bookings and management services to the UK entertainment industry supplying services to world leading record labels, media companies and corporate institutions. Clients include BBC, Mushroom TV, Ministry of Sound, Luminar Leisure & AEG.

Bookings & Event Manager

GSM Association (GSMA) (Global Trade Association) Nov 2007 – Oct 2009

The global trade association for mobile telecommunication operators and vendors, members include T-Mobile, Telfonica, NT DoCoMo, Verizon, LG, Nokia, Sony Ericsson. The GSMA own the flagship industry event for the mobile telecommunications industry attended by over 60,000 people, with 500+ C-Level, to celebrities to Industry expert speakers from global business including government officials, technology vendors, analyst houses and financial services institutions such as Microsoft, Dell, Citigroup, VISA international and WHO.

Assistant Speaker Manager

IDeA (Government Agency) Jan 2005 to Oct 2007

Placement, Development & Events Coordinator

The Local Government Improvement and Development Agency, providing advisory services. Planning and coordination of events, awards and conferences, for 2000+, over 50 road show events per year, accreditation centres , events, workshops and meetings

Triangle Management Services (Consultancy Firm) Nov 2004 - Jan 2005

Media & Event Administrator

Triangle Management Services: Provides independent strategy consulting services dedicated to the global express, freight, postal and logistics sectors. Clients include Deutsch Poste, Royal Mail.

Maven Management (Market Research Agency) Feb 2002 - Nov 2004 (Part Time)

Team Leader

Maven Management: market research agency specialising in measuring customer satisfaction. Clients include British Gas, Marks & Spencer’s & Mercedes.