Director, Events & Experiences

Summary

Join Black and White Zebra as the Director, Events & Experiences and build our new events business unit from the ground up. You will conceptualize, launch, and execute flagship events for C-suite executives, starting with our first events in 2025. This is an entrepreneurial role requiring experience in event production, team building, and financial management. You will be responsible for the entire event lifecycle, from ideation to execution, and will work closely with various teams to maximize event impact. Success will be measured by key metrics such as event profitability, membership sign-ups, and attendee satisfaction. This is a remote or hybrid position offering a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Requirements

• Proven experience in conceptualizing, kickstarting, planning, and executing large-scale, high-profile events, particularly for senior executives in the tech and media industries. Track record in year-one event success a requirement
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, mentor, and develop a high-performing events team. Experience in managing cross-functional teams and ensuring alignment with organizational goals
• Ability to develop and implement comprehensive event strategies that align with business objectives. Skilled in forecasting, capacity planning, and resource allocation
• Exceptional organizational abilities, including project management, scheduling, and logistics coordination. Capable of managing multiple events simultaneously with attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficient in negotiating contracts with vendors, sponsors, and partners to achieve favorable terms and conditions
• Experience in budgeting, financial planning, and financial reporting for events. Ability to manage event budgets efficiently and maximize profitability
• Knowledge of event marketing strategies, including digital marketing, social media promotion, and attendee engagement tactics. Ability to drive event attendance and brand visibility
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate and address issues proactively. Adaptability in dynamic environments and the ability to handle unexpected challenges
• Proficiency in event management software and tools, as well as familiarity with CRM systems, data analysis tools, and other relevant technologies
• 5 years of experience creating and executing events within tech and media
• You have a track record of starting events and building them from the ground up
• A self-starter with a high degree of ownership, capable of learning new things quickly and forming insightful strategies
• A dynamic leader with exceptional organizational skills and a knack for fostering team collaboration

Responsibilities

• Ensure year-one events financially break even while impressing all guests, setting startup events for sustainable success
• Produce profitable, return-worthy events across C Suite brands
• Ideate, test and iterate on event programming to maximize revenue and engagement
• Develop process and programming to drive efficiency and opportunities for scale
• Ensure event plans are viable, aligned with goals, and implement-able
• Identify capacity gaps, forecast content needs, and make appropriate hires
• Execute premium, AAA “branded event” with a specific attendee core promise
• Drive repeat attendance and membership registration
• Develop and iterate event concepts to build the range and scope of event offerings including festivals, tradeshows, conferences, retreats, and meetups
• Hone event strategy and execution to become a must-attend event for attendees
• Show the team what good looks like, and collaborate with them on it to deliver
• Source, develop and equip the team to deliver quality and performance
• Develop, document, & align team on process for event planning, production and analysis
• Be the guardian and arbiter of quality - adding finishing touches, making improvements and catching the things that others miss, while training the team to do the same
• Help the team plan, create, monitor evaluate and improve performance
• Encourage and guide events team in personal development, new experiments, and fun

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working within a media company, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in this sector
• In-depth knowledge of the tech industry and experience organizing events focused on tech topics
• Experience with membership-based business models and understanding how events can drive membership growth and retention
• A track record of introducing innovative event concepts and formats. Ability to think outside the box and create memorable, engaging experiences for attendees
• Skills in data analysis and interpretation to measure event success, attendee satisfaction, and ROI. Experience using data to inform event strategy and decision-making
• Experience managing international events, understanding cultural nuances, and handling logistics for global attendees
• Knowledge of sustainable event practices and the ability to implement environmentally friendly initiatives in event planning and execution
• A robust professional network within the event planning, media, and tech industries. Ability to leverage relationships for event speakers, sponsors, and partnerships
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills to represent BWZ at events, panels, and industry conferences

Benefits

• $125,000 - $175,000 a year
• Discretionary bonus
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Remote or hybrid position (depending on location)