Retail Experience Specialist

About the Job

Sony Honda Mobility of America Inc, based in Culver City, CA, is a subsidiary of Sony Honda Mobility Inc headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. As a 50/50 joint venture between Sony and Honda, SHM was established in Japan on September 28th, 2022, with over 200 employees in Tokyo. Sony Honda Mobility of America, situated in Culver City, California, was established in March 2023, where our dedicated team is working on introducing the electric vehicle, AFEELA, to the market. AFEELA embodies the essence of "FEEL," central to the mobility experience, fostering an interactive relationship where people "FEEL" mobility as an intelligent entity, and mobility reciprocates by "FEELing" people and society through sensing and network IT technologies. Our mission is to move people through innovative solutions inspired by diversity.

Position Summary

Sony Honda Mobility of America (SHMA) is seeking a dynamic and customer-obsessed Retail Experience Specialist to join our growing Brand Experience & Events team. This role is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of mobility with AFEELA — our new premium EV brand born from the innovation of Sony and the manufacturing legacy of Honda.

Based in Southern California and supporting events in San Francisco and across the country, this role focuses on planning, executing, and optimizing immersive experiences at our flagship Vehicle Studios and national activations. You'll bring our brand to life through exceptional events and personal engagement, serving as both a brand ambassador and AFEELA product expert.

If you're passionate about experiential marketing, next-gen electric vehicles, and connecting people to future-facing technology in a startup-like environment, we want to meet you.

Job Responsibilities

• Plan and execute high-impact events and activations at AFEELA Vehicle Studios and pop-up locations to attract, educate, and convert prospective customers.
• Act as a polished brand ambassador and product expert, leading 1:1 and group demonstrations of AFEELA vehicles and their advanced technology.
• Coordinate closely with internal teams (Marketing, Sales, Product, Operations) to ensure messaging, tone, and logistics are tightly aligned with brand and customer goals.
• Own on-site event execution, including vendor setup, guest flow, teardown, and logistics management.
• Support the creation and delivery of event programming, marketing tie-ins, and branded content that enhances the customer journey.
• Track and evaluate customer interactions, lead generation, and event engagement to continuously improve performance and experience design.
• Maintain and manage event assets, merchandise, display vehicles, and presentation materials to ensure brand standards are met at every touchpoint.
• Travel as needed to support events in San Francisco, Beverly Hills, Culver City, and other key U.S. locations.
• Embrace a startup culture, offering agility, creativity, and a growth mindset in a fast-paced and evolving business.

Required Qualifications for Position

• 3+ years of experience in event marketing, retail activations, customer engagement, or experiential brand roles.
• Proven success in customer acquisition, sales support, or product engagement, particularly within automotive, EV, tech, or lifestyle brands.
• Ability to deliver compelling live demonstrations and represent a premium brand with authenticity, confidence, and professionalism.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with a passion for connecting with and educating customers.
• Experience working in fast-paced, high-growth environments, with the ability to pivot and multitask as needed.
• Strong event and logistics management capabilities, with a hands-on mindset and attention to detail.
• Physical ability to support setup and breakdown of event displays, signage, and activation materials.
• Availability for evening and weekend events and willingness to travel throughout the U.S.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and basic experience with CRM or event tracking tools.

Preferred Qualifications for Position

• Experience supporting a startup brand launch or early-stage automotive tech product.
• Familiarity with electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and next-gen mobility solutions.
• Background in luxury retail, premium consumer experiences, or customer experience design.
• Experience with auto shows, retail studio activations, or product launches.
• Bilingual flue