Director of Client Events

The Team:

The Omnichannel Customer Development & Client Relations Management (CDRM) team is a retail-facing team focused on customer acquisition and retention through Analytics, CRM, After Sales, Client Services, and Experience. The focus of the team is to reach new and existing clients through the sales and service ceremony, bespoke services, analytics, and events all to strengthen acquisition and customer loyalty. The multifaceted team works in tandem to drive traffic to stores and provide one-of-a-kind memorable experiences. 

 

The Opportunity:

As the Director of Client Events, you will be responsible for planning, budgeting, and producing all client events for Hermès in the United States. Activity ranges in scale and complexity from large client events to in-store hospitality program definition. The Director of Client Events will be involved in the production of key event activity, while also leading and managing an internal team and partnering with client experience managers and hospitality ambassadors across the network. 

The Director works closely with the VP of CDRM to ensure all events are carried out in adherence to the yearly events calendar, which is based on the needs of the business as well as strategic priorities and is developed in alignment with Retail, Communications and Merchandising. Extensive production experience, detailed budget control, adherence to all internal audit requirements and close collaboration with the Paris office and the métiers are fundamental to the role. The Director is also responsible for developing the in-store hospitality program and animating that community.

 

About the Role: 

• Work closely with the VP of CDRM on the execution plan of the event calendar and delegate event and hospitality activity within the team.
• Oversee and keep track of Events Budget actuals by ensuring adherence to budget allocations.
• Manage and supervise all team members to ensure seamless production of events, attention to detail, adherence to guidelines and standards, high quality output, creative problem solving and efficient, cost-effective implementation. 
• Collaborate with Visual Merchandising, Client Development, Merchandising and Retail to ensure seamless event operations.
• Maintain a strong and collaborative partnership with the Hermès International teams in Paris, and work with them to ensure required approvals are received in a timely manner. 
• Travel to events and oversee event while on site. The Director of Client Events must also be able to independently plan, produce and execute key events, from start to finish as required.
• Maintain a proactive and progressive network of vendors including new caterers, new staffing agencies, production agencies, high-quality fabrication resources, etc. 
• Review final vendor contracts and ensure team members are adhering to all audit requirements
• Develop Hospitality Program to offer personalized experiences for each one of our customers.
• Animate local Client Experience community and develop tools to enhance synergies with all the stores. 
• Review and approve monthly, quarterly and yearly event and hospitality recaps for internal communication.

 

Supervisory Responsibility: 

• YES – clients events team including 1 Senior Manager and 1 Manager

 

Budget Responsibility: 

• YES – Responsible for Events and Hospitality Budget as well as annual T&E budget

 

Decision Making Responsibility: 

• Yes – Management of all in-store events and in-store hospitality program.

 

About You: 

• 6 years of work experience in luxury events management 
• At least 3 years’ experience managing a team of people 
• Expert knowledge of principal event production skills including logistics management
• Exceptional project management, prioritization and planning skills, including ability to manage several initiatives/events at once
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to establish and nurture close relationships with all partners, and practice routine follow up
• Proficiency in team leadership and motivation 
• Highly skilled in problem solving, decision making and critical thinking 
• Anticipate potential issues and resolution of conflicts and problems during event execution
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and work under tight deadlines and pressure
• Must be a team player, enthusiastic, positive, professional and polished
• Highly self-motivated and eager to lear