Director, Events and Hospitality

McKinley Marketing Partners is working with an innovative marketing agency and together we are seeking a Director, Events & Hospitality. You will spearhead our Events, Travel, and Hospitality teams, orchestrate a diverse array of services spanning corporate event coordination, travel management, and onsite hospitality for the agency and its affiliates. You will lead a skilled team of event planners and hospitality experts, you'll navigate the intricacies of event planning, from small-scale gatherings to large-scale productions, inclusive of site selection, budget administration, and flawless execution. Your role extends to overseeing both onsite and hybrid events, as well as managing destination incentive trips.

Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership to the Travel and Events team, ensuring events align with brand identity and strategic goals, fostering collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive cost-saving initiatives through strategic negotiation and efficient resource allocation.
• Champion continuous improvement in event production processes and departmental procedures.
• Manage financial activities such as budgeting, expense approvals, and reconciliations to ensure events stay within budget and meet deadlines.
• Oversee Hospitality team operations, including onsite meetings, catering, reception, and phone coverage.
• Mentor team members, identify development opportunities, and maintain service excellence.
• Implement best practices and technology solutions to optimize event production efficiency and quality.
• Serve as the lead planner for top-tier events and incentive trips, managing diverse executive networks and balancing workload and resources.
• Foster strategic partnerships with industry vendors and agencies to enhance event execution and cost efficiency.
• Stay updated on industry trends and technologies to innovate event experiences and enhance brand differentiation.
• Act as a liaison to key departments and handle VIP arrangements as required.
• Communicate event progress and outcomes to relevant stakeholders and leadership.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of experience in event production or related fields.
• Proven leadership skills with a track record of guiding creative teams to deliver exceptional results.
• Experience in executive event production with substantial budget management.
• Proficiency in event logistics, technical production, and venue management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with CVENT, Canva, and Concur preferred.

McKinley Marketing Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All individuals are encouraged to apply, and all applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion or belief, ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. Opportunity for all is central to our mission. We strive to reaffirm our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We push ourselves to new heights to embrace ongoing change and creativity. With this as our goal, we are proud to have reached individuals with diverse backgrounds who possess the talent, energy, and focus to accelerate our mission forward.