Director, Client Services & Operations - Authentic Live

Authentic Brands Group; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Authentic Brands Group seeks a Director, Client Services & Operations for Authentic Live in New York. You will lead client services, manage relationships, and oversee cross-functional event delivery for premium live experiences worldwide.

Reporting to the VP, Operations, you will develop the team, drive operational excellence, and ensure exceptional partnership experiences from planning through post-event reconciliation.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience in experiential marketing, live events, sports, entertainment, hospitality, or agency account leadership.
• Proven success managing enterprise clients, executive stakeholders, and strategic partnerships.
• Experience leading high-performing teams, fostering collaboration and growth.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior day-to-day contact for key clients and stakeholders.
• Lead client meetings, executive presentations, and project updates while managing expectations.
• Own client satisfaction across the portfolio by ensuring commitments are delivered on time and to a high standard.
• Identify opportunities to deepen partnerships, improve processes, and drive long-term growth.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Account Management team, including direct management of the Senior Account Manager.
• Create scalable processes, templates, and best practices for consistency across accounts.
• Oversee staffing, workload planning, and resource allocation across multiple projects.
• Serve as the escalation point for client concerns and resolve issues quickly.

Skills

Client relationship management

Team leadership

Live events operations

Project planning

Travel readiness

Job description

Director, Client Services & Operations - Authentic Live

New York, New York

Who We Are

Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) is a global brand and entertainment platform that owns and invests in iconic intellectual property and cultural assets. It accelerates brands through a set of specialized businesses that combine powerful storytelling, premium content, unforgettable live experiences and global commerce. Through a network of more than 1,700 best-in-class licensees and strategic partners across 150 countries and expansive distribution, Authentic’s brands drive more than $38 billion in annual systemwide retail sales worldwide.

Authentic’s diversified portfolio spans more than 50 brands and reaches nearly one billion social media followers. Its roster includes Reebok, Champion, Shaquille O’Neal, David Beckham, Kevin Hart, Sports Illustrated, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Marilyn Monroe, GUESS, Aéropostale, Nautica, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Juicy Couture, Vince Camuto, Izod, Van Heusen, Dockers, Ted Baker, Hart Schaffner Marx, Vince, Barneys New York, Judith Leiber, Quiksilver, Spyder, Billabong, Volcom, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Prince, Sperry and Hunter.

You’ll be able to access the resources and scale, while leveraging innovative technology and nimble environment. What we’re saying is, this isn’t your average day job. If you’re hungry to drive ideas into action and own your career, let’s chat. Our team is rapidly innovating to evolve and define the future of our brands. With the help of some of the brightest minds in retail, marketing, licensing, legal and more, we are building the intersection of digital and experiential marketing to help achieve that mission. We reimagine, evolve and transform brands! At Authentic, we foster an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought and expertise drive competitive advantage. Our global teams are built by go-getters who contribute unique perspectives and push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Headquartered in New York City, Authentic has offices in major metropolitan cities including Los Angeles and Miami, as well as Toronto, Mexico City, London, and Shanghai.

What You’ll Do

The Director, Client Services & Operations will lead the Client Services function for Authentic Live, overseeing the day-to-day management of client relationships, account strategy, and cross-functional event delivery across a growing portfolio of premium live experiences around the world's biggest sports, entertainment, and cultural moments.

Reporting to the VP, Operations, this role serves as a key leader within the team, responsible for ensuring every client engagement is executed with excellence - from initial planning through onsite execution and post-event reconciliation. This individual will directly manage and develop the Senior Account Manager while building a best-in-class Client Services function that delivers exceptional partnership experiences and drives operational excellence across the business.

The ideal candidate is a strategic relationship builder and collaborative leader who combines exceptional client management skills with a deep understanding of live event execution. They thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy developing high-performing teams, and are passionate about creating world-class experiences while building long-term partnerships.

What You’ll Be Working On

• Serve as the senior day-to-day contact for key clients, strategic partners, sponsors, rights holders, agencies, venues, and executive stakeholders.
• Build long-term relationships through proactive communication, trusted counsel, and exceptional client service.
• Lead client meetings, executive presentations, status calls, and project updates while managing expectations throughout the event lifecycle.
• Own client satisfaction across the portfolio by ensuring commitments are delivered accurately, on time, and at the highest standard.
• Identify opportunities to deepen partnerships, improve processes, and drive long-term client growth.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Account Management team, including direct management of the Senior Account Manager.
• Create scalable processes, templates, and best practices that elevate consistency across all client accounts.
• Oversee staffing, workload planning, and resource allocation across multiple projects.
• Serve as the escalation point for client concerns, ensuring issues are resolved quickly and professionally.

Project & Event Delivery

• Oversee project delivery across multiple simultaneous events from initial planning through post-event reconciliation.
• Develop and manage master workback schedules, project plans, critical paths, and cross-functional trackers.
• Partner closely with Production to translate creative vision into executable operational plans.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Production, Creative, Hospitality, Finance, Legal, Marketing, Ticketing, and Partnerships.
• Identify project risks early, remove roadblocks, and ensure teams remain aligned on priorities, deadlines, and deliverables.

Who You Are

• 8 - 10 years of experience in experiential marketing, live events, sports, entertainment, hospitality, or agency account leadership.
• Proven success managing enterprise clients, executive stakeholders, and strategic partnerships.
• Experience leading high-performing teams while fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Strong understanding of live event production, project management, and operational execution.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented leader who remains composed under pressure and anticipates challenges before they arise.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally and work evenings/weekends as required for live events (up to 30% travel).

Primary Location Salary Range:

$110,000 - $140,000

Authentic is an equal-opportunity employer and we value and embrace the diversity and inclusion of all Team Members. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, national origin, disability, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or other legally protected status.

For individuals with disabilities or religious obligations who would like to request an accommodation, please contact

[e-mail]