The Director, Event Production is responsible for providing the expertise and direction for the entire event production process from inception, creative development, and budgeting through final delivery. The role also oversees a team of full time and freelance technical producers in delivery, installation, operation, and removal of brand activations, AV/staging, interactive engagements, virtual events, and content production related to tradeshows and events of varying sizes and complexity.
A disciplined project manager themselves, this leader brings experience from a varied industry background, and can lead, mentor, and attract top talent. The ideal candidate has a background as an Experiential/Event Producer, Head of Live/Virtual Event Production, or similar roles; in addition to clearly demonstrated leadership of multi-disciplined teams.
The Director, Event Production will collaborate with Client Service, Meetings & Events, Strategy, and Creative teams to manage the pipeline of projects effectively and efficiently, in addition to:
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vetting proposed opportunities with a critical eye on their validity, feasibility and profitability
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identifying required resources for production execution & collaborate with Creative team
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implementing run of show and event management templates & best practices
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facilitating clear and concise communication across departments
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capturing scope and providing estimates and other supporting guidance to internal Account teams
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following. Other duties may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities as outlined in this Job Description may be changed from time to time by the Corporation, as it deems necessary, without further notice to the Employee.
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Evaluate inbound requests from Design and internal Account teams, as well as direct client requests.
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Collaborate & communicate with all team members and leadership stakeholders across all functions of the organization.
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Be an advocate and thought leader for both Production & Creative teams to form collective understanding between creatives and producers of the creative and production processes.
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Maintain direct client contact (or through Account teams) to evaluate program/project needs, as well as to communicate production, technical, content and financial information. Maintain run of show and schedule of all projects & requests in the Event Production department.
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Make work assignments to Staff, Freelance and Service Provider resources.
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Participate in weekly meetings with Client Service and Creative teams to stay informed of new opportunities coming to the Event Production team.
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Provide overall strategic direction and ensures that client-wide program goals, objectives, budgets, milestones, and deliverables are achieved.
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Work with department leadership to bring new vendors, technologies, processes, and efficiencies to the table, with a thought-out proposed game plan.
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Mentor and train Producers to oversee the delivery of all experiences, from initial concept, through planning and execution.
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When needed, prepare proposals that include project description, budgets, schedules, milestones and any other relevant information.
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Determine key roles necessary to produce specific media, technology or live activation deliverables.
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Manage rehearsal schedules and check-in calls for pre-program management as necessary for either virtual or in-person events.
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Oversee production teams by recruiting, evaluating, and hiring key freelance talent/service providers, such as content experts, video and audio personnel, copy/script writers, talent, etc.
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Oversight of individual and process for handling payment of Freelance/Contract personnel, managing POs, payroll resources, timesheet tracking, etc.
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Determine, allocate, and monitor technical and financial resources necessary to accomplish department goals or project objectives.
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Review Departmental Financial performance.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Manages a up to twelve employees in the Experiential Production Department. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (Canadian Positions: Accommodations will be made, up to undue hardship, for employees that advise accommodation is required pursuant to the prohibited grounds of the human rights legislation.)
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor's degree (B. A. or B.S.) from four-year college or university; and 5+ years’ experience as an Event Production / Management leader, or 10+ years of professional experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Language Skills
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability
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.
Computer Skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Excel Spreadsheet software and Microsoft Office Word Processing software, Microsoft PowerPoint and Outlook.
Other Skills and Abilities
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Demonstrated experience leading run of show and large-scale event production for top-tier clients or agencies.
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Strong experience managing teams of various types of players with diplomacy, concern for their varied points of view, and the ability to understand how they all fit together: creatives, engineers, programmers, AV technicians, designers, clients, account teams, planners, event managers.
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Must be able to communicate concepts clearly and concisely to internal staff and external clients.
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Excellent management of external vendor partners.
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Maintains a learning mindset by staying on top of trends and technology within the industry.
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Knowledge of accounting/financial processes.
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Strong organizational skills coupled with a detail-oriented approach. Able to maintain all project documentation, from proposal to production schedule to final reconciliation.
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Poise under pressure, and a good sense of humor are appreciated.
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Knowledge of the digital landscape, including streaming solutions, videoconferencing platforms, virtual event platforms is desirable.
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Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint. Other creative tools are a plus.
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Able to travel in the US and Canada, as required, and occasionally internationally. Travel may occur during the week and/or over weekends.
Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (Canadian Positions: Accommodations will be made, up to undue hardship, for employees that advise accommodation is required pursuant to a prohibited ground of the human rights legislation.)
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.