This is a senior-level opportunity for a seasoned events professional to join Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), a division of the FirstRand Group, in Johannesburg. The organisation is seeking a strategic leader to spearhead engagement strategies that bolster the brand’s positioning while fostering deeper connections with both institutional clients and internal staff.

About the role

As the Events Lead, you will sit at the intersection of business strategy and experiential marketing. This is not a purely administrative or operational role; it requires a thinker who can align event objectives with the bank's broader commercial goals. You will be responsible for the Institutional portfolio—including Global Markets—ensuring that every conference, sponsorship activation, and bespoke engagement initiative serves a specific purpose in the marketing value chain.

Success in this role depends on your ability to work within a highly integrated environment. You will collaborate with marketing specialists, communication teams, and digital experts to ensure that events are not standalone occurrences but are instead amplified through the bank's wider communication ecosystem. You must be comfortable challenging internal briefs, interrogating market trends, and ensuring that the final output reflects the premium standards expected of a top-tier financial institution.

Your daily responsibilities will shift between high-level strategic planning and hands-on project management. You will need to move fluidly from boardroom meetings with senior stakeholders to the floor of a major event, ensuring flawless execution.

• **Strategic Planning:** Develop annual engagement roadmaps that support business growth and strengthen client relationships across the institutional segment.
• **End-to-End Execution:** Oversee the lifecycle of complex events, from the initial conceptual design to logistics, procurement, risk management, and post-event reporting.
• **Stakeholder Collaboration:** Build strong rapport with internal business leaders and external agencies to ensure project alignment and resource efficiency.
• **Financial Oversight:** Manage event budgets with strict financial discipline, ensuring that every Rand spent delivers measurable value.
• **Measurement:** Define clear success metrics and work with the insights teams to produce post-event evaluations that inform future decision-making.
• **Mentorship:** Act as a subject matter expert and mentor for the broader events team, fostering a culture of professional excellence and continuous development.

What they're looking for

The ideal candidate possesses a mix of creative vision and rigid operational discipline. You should have a proven track record of managing high-stakes corporate events and a strong understanding of how to translate business objectives into high-impact experiences.

• **Strategic Acumen:** The ability to look at the "big picture" of a business and identify how events can solve specific relationship or market challenges.
• **Project Management Expertise:** A methodical approach to governance, timelines, and logistical execution, even under pressure.
• **Influencing Skills:** You must be adept at building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, providing counsel on sponsorship activations and event feasibility.
• **Leadership Qualities:** A history of coaching teams and driving professional growth through knowledge sharing and feedback.

For professionals operating in the South African corporate banking sector, an Events Lead role at this level is a gateway to high-visibility career growth. Roles within major financial services groups typically offer competitive remuneration packages that include standard corporate benefits like medical aid and retirement contributions, alongside performance-based incentives. This position is well-suited for someone looking to transition from a generalist events background into a specialised, high-stakes strategic role within the professional services or financial sector.

Qualifications and experience

·       Relevant degree in Marketing, Communications, Business or a related field

·       Minimum of 10 years' experience in marketing, client engagement, events or experiential marketing roles

·       Demonstrated experience leading large-scale, high-profile client and employee engagement initiatives

·       Experience in premium, relationship-based marketing environments

·       Strong understanding of:

o   Client-centric engagement strategies

o   B2B marketing principles

o   Corporate and Investment Banking environments (advantageous)

o   Strategic event management and experiential marketing

KEY COMPETENCIES

Strategic capabilities

·       Strategic and big-picture thinking

·       Innovation and creativity

·       Ability to identify opportunities and connect ideas across the business

·       Strong business judgement and decision-making

Leadership and relationship management

·       Influencing and stakeholder management

·       Building strategic partnerships

·       Collaboration and teamwork

·       Executive presence and credibility

·       Strong communication and presentation skills

Delivery excellence

·       Exceptional project and programme management

·       Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality

·       Results orientation and accountability

·       Organisational agility and adaptability

·       Ability to manage complexity and competing priorities

Personal attributes

·       Hands-on and willing to roll up their sleeves when required

·       Comfortable moving between strategic thinking and operational execution

·       High levels of ownership and accountability

·       Service-oriented mindset

·       Resilient, proactive and solutions-focused

·       Passion for creating exceptional client and employee experiences

Key success factor:

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable in the boardroom shaping long-term engagement strategy as they are behind the scenes managing event delivery, solving operational challenges and ensuring that every detail contributes to an exceptional experience

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Important Closing Date Note

Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below.