Access · 1 month ago
Director of Events
Access is a women-owned and women-led destination management company that collaborates with clients to design and execute corporate events and programs. The Director of Events is responsible for leading the Events team, ensuring operational excellence, and driving innovation across the territory while fostering a strong team culture and managing client relationships.
Event ManagementEvent PromotionEvents
Responsibilities
Lead and mentor Associate Directors, Senior Managers, and Event Managers, fostering professional growth and long-term engagement
Champion a culture of creative excellence and continuous learning through consistent coaching, alignment meetings, and feedback loops
Partner with Talent Operations and executive leadership to recruit, onboard, and develop a diverse pipeline of future leaders
Promote open communication, accountability, and inclusive collaboration across all teams
Oversee performance management systems, leveraging KPIs and performance data to guide coaching and succession planning
Drive organizational development initiatives to build team resilience, increase retention, and sustain operational excellence
Provide executive oversight of all event operations, ensuring program excellence, consistency, and scalability across the territory
Review program overviews and major event plans with Event Managers prior to execution to ensure strategic alignment and quality control
Step in to lead large-scale, high-profile programs when needed, providing on-site leadership and client representation
Own and manage key financial components for large or strategic programs, including Statements of Work (SOWs), budgets, and invoicing
Oversee Event Staff readiness, ensuring clear communication, accurate documentation, and seamless on-site execution
Lead innovation and strategic problem-solving across regions, inspiring proactive thinking and driving a culture of continuous improvement
Evaluate event performance metrics (profitability, efficiency, and client satisfaction) and implement data-informed improvements across the organization
Oversee the company’s vendor relationship strategy, ensuring alignment with Access standards, DEI goals, and profitability objectives
Cultivate key supplier partnerships and professional networks to strengthen relationships and identify mutually beneficial opportunities
Partner with the Supplier Partnerships team on sourcing, vetting, and procurement strategies to enhance quality and operational consistency
Champion sustainability and ethical sourcing by incorporating environmental and social responsibility into all vendor and material selection processes
Represent Access in national sustainability initiatives and client discussions related to responsible sourcing and impact tracking
Serve as an executive-level point of contact for high-value or strategic client relationships
Support Sales and Creative teams during client site visits, presentations, and debriefs, ensuring the Access value proposition is clearly articulated
Oversee client experience quality across all programs within the territory, ensuring delivery aligns with brand tone, service excellence, and client objectives
Collaborate with Managing Directors and cross-functional leadership to strengthen client relationships, identify opportunities, and drive retention and growth
Foster a “client-first” culture across the Events department, defining clear standards for communication, service recovery, and professional excellence
Serve as the primary liaison between Creative, Sales, Events, and Executive Leadership, ensuring strategic alignment across all teams
Build trust and transparency through consistent, cross-functional communication and collaboration
Lead and facilitate team-wide communications, leadership meetings, and milestone celebrations to promote unity and shared success
Champion initiatives beyond day-to-day operations to enhance the Access brand, strengthen culture, and drive innovation
Translate client and market needs into actionable creative and operational strategies, ensuring Access maintains a competitive edge
Provide strategic oversight of Salesforce and internal systems to ensure data integrity and visibility across departments
Monitor regional and territory-wide financial performance and program forecasting accuracy
Drive the adoption of technology tools and automation to streamline workflows and improve scalability
Partner with internal systems teams to ensure processes are efficient, standardized, and aligned with company goals
Lead and reinforce compliance with company policies, operational standards, and best practices across all levels of the Events team
Accountable for overall team financial performance, including revenue growth, gross profit goals, and margin health
Provide strategic direction on upselling, pricing, and resource allocation to optimize profitability
Oversee team-wide costing accuracy and ensure consistent application of costing tools and methodologies
Partner cross-functionally to refine pricing models and improve forecasting, reporting, and financial accountability
Set financial expectations and KPIs for department leaders, monitoring results and implementing corrective actions when needed
Lead department-wide capacity planning through strategic forecasting, workload balancing, and prioritization frameworks
Create and implement scalable processes that increase efficiency while maintaining creative quality
Collaborate across teams to ensure resources align with business priorities and seasonal demands
Drive a culture of sustainable performance, setting clear expectations while promoting work-life balance and professional well-being
Anticipate evolving market conditions and guide teams to adapt quickly to shifting client needs and industry dynamics
Establish and maintain comprehensive risk management standards across all programs and teams
Approve contingency budgets and oversee high-level response protocols for major operational risks
Collaborate with Sales, Creative, and Operations leadership to align mitigation strategies and ensure readiness for potential crises
Represent Access in client communications during critical incidents or escalations, providing leadership, transparency, and confidence
Ensure learnings from incidents are captured and translated into updated processes or SOPs
Qualification
Preferred
7+ years of experience in event management, ideally within hospitality or destination management
Proven leadership experience: hiring, training, mentoring, and scaling teams
Deep knowledge of the Orlando market and strong vendor/hotel connections
Strategic and results-driven, with strong business acumen
Excellent time management, communication, and organizational skills
Passion for creating exceptional event experiences
Benefits
401k with company match (eligible after 1 year – up to 4% of salary matched, vested immediately
Monthly cell phone stipend
Generous PTO
Sick days
9 full holidays
5 half days off prior to holidays to unplug early
2 floating holidays off to be used on holidays of your choice
½ day Fridays in July & August (based on achievement of goals)
Extensive menu of health plans to choose from
Paid parental leave
Pet insurance program
Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
Mentorship program
“Masterclasses” in industry/department-specific topics
State-of-the-art technology platforms and tools – including training
Annual and monthly meeting content that focuses on professional development
Company
Access
For 50+ years, Access has thrived as the industry leader in Destination Management by doing things differently. Thinking different. Selling different.
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageRecent News
EIN Presswire
2025-08-29
Company data provided by crunchbase