Event Director

dentsu; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

dentsu's MKTG Sports unit in Melbourne is seeking an experienced Event Director on a fixed term contract until June 2027. The role leads major brand experiences, sponsorship activations and hospitality programmes across high-profile properties, with hybrid work from the Richmond office.

You will manage end-to-end planning, cross-functional teams, budgets, and client relationships, while contributing to new business opportunities and mentoring a small team.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading events, sponsorship activations, experiential campaigns or hospitality programmes.
• Ability to manage teams, influence senior stakeholders and handle complex multi-workstream projects.
• Confident in contributing to pitches, managing budgets and identifying growth opportunities.
• Well connected across the events, sports, sponsorship or experiential marketing with established supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end planning and delivery of sponsorship activations and hospitality programmes.
• Coordinate internal teams, partners, venues, and suppliers to ensure flawless execution.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients and rights holders, guiding the event lifecycle.
• Support new business pitches and growth opportunities for MKTG's portfolio.
• Lead and mentor team members, fostering high performance.

Skills

Event leadership

Sponsorship activations

Hospitality programmes

Budget management

Pitch contributions

Team leadership

Job description

Job Description

At MKTG Sports, we believe sport and entertainment can move people, shape culture and change behaviour. We use insight, strategy and creativity to help brands show up in the moments that matter, creating work that connects with audiences, builds brand value and delivers measurable impact. We are seeking an experienced Event Director (Fixed Term Contract) to lead the delivery of major brand experiences, sponsorship activations and hospitality programmes across some of Australia's most recognised sporting and entertainment properties. Reporting to the Head of Events, this role will take ownership of a portfolio of activations and projects at high-profile events including the Australian Open, F1and Cricket Australia matches, whilst contributing to new business development and future growth opportunities. This is a hands‑on role requiring someone who can confidently manage complex environments and executive brand experiences and activations. This is a contract role until the end of June 2027, working a hybrid model in our Richmond office, Melbourne (The Commons). Responsibilities include:Lead the end‑to‑end planning and delivery of major sponsorship activations, fan engagement experiences, hospitality programmes and branded event experiences, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget. Manage multiple projects across high‑profile clients and rights holders, coordinating internal teams, creative partners, contractors, venues, suppliers and stakeholders to ensure seamless execution. Act as a trusted senior advisor to clients, rights holders and partners, building strong relationships while providing strategic guidance and leadership throughout the event lifecycle. Support client growth, identifying new opportunities, contributing to pitch responses and participating in new business presentations to expand MKTG's portfolio. Lead and mentor team members, including 1 direct report, while fostering a collaborative, high performance culture.

A bit about you

Proven experience leading events, sponsorship activations, experiential campaigns or hospitality programmes, ideally within an agency, sports, events or partnership environment. Capable of managing teams, influencing senior stakeholders and delivering complex projects involving multiple workstreams, suppliers and partners. Confidence in contributing to pitches, managing budgets, identifying growth opportunities and balancing client outcomes with business objectives. Connected across the events, sports, sponsorship or experiential marketing industries, with established relationships among suppliers, venues, rights holders and production partners. Autonomous, resilient and adaptable, comfortable handling changing priorities, peak event periods, occasional weekends, public holidays and interstate travel as required.

Become a champion for meaningful progress:Our diverse and inclusive culture enables our employees to bring their whole selves to work and be proud of doing so. For us, this is the foundation for great innovation which, in turn, generates better outcomes for our people, partners and communities. This is why we encourage applications from people with disabilities, and of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds and cultures.

Location: Melbourne - Office 42

Brand: Mktg Sports

Time Type: Full time

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract (Fixed Term)

About dentsu

For over 120 years, innovation has been a core tenet of our offering – exploring new ways to reach, engage and nurture relationships with audiences. Together we drive a multiplier effect for clients at a global scale, through the development of Integrated Growth Solutions that are underpinned by our promise to clients: innovating to impact. Be a force for good. Sustainability is a vital part of our business and an important area of focus for our clients. We’re leading the way – helping to build a more sustainable planet. Dream loud. In this moment of transformation, we need our people to be fearless, embracing change and ambiguity, driven by the love for their work and excitement for the future. Team without limits. We create opportunities for connection and collaboration between our colleagues and clients, building a sense of belonging and having some fun along the way.