Director, Content Experiences

SME; Southfield (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SME, located in Southfield, MI, seeks a Director, Content Experiences to lead a portfolio of high-value experiential events for senior manufacturing leaders. The role emphasizes emerging technologies, industry trends, and business challenges.

You will own concept development, audience strategy, speaker engagement, budgeting, production, and post-event evaluation, partnering across SME teams to scale repeatable formats and drive measurable results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business administration, event management, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in experiential marketing, event strategy, or related field.
• Proven track record producing small-to-mid-sized, high-impact events in B2B/manufacturing tech.
• Strong ability to work with senior executives and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent project management and budget discipline.

Responsibilities

• Conceive, develop, and execute a portfolio of small-to-mid-sized experiential events.
• Design content-led programs and curated experiences for executive audiences.
• Lead speaker and partner engagement, budgeting, and post-event analysis.
• Collaborate with SME teams to scale repeatable formats and measures.

Skills

Experiential marketing

Event strategy

Content development

Audience engagement

Budget management

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing

Bachelor’s degree in communications

Bachelor’s degree in business administration

Bachelor’s degree in event management

Job description

Responsible for developing and delivering a portfolio of small-to-mid-sized, high-value experiential events designed to engage senior manufacturing leaders around emerging technologies, industry trends and business challenges. Creates differentiated, content-led experiences such as executive roundtables, curated summits and technology showcases that complement SME’s broader events portfolio and advance SME’s mission and market relevance.

Responsible for developing and delivering a portfolio of small-to-mid-sized, high-value experiential events designed to engage senior manufacturing leaders around emerging technologies, industry trends and business challenges. Creates differentiated, content-led experiences such as executive roundtables, curated summits and technology showcases that complement SME’s broader events portfolio and advance SME’s mission and market relevance.

Leads assigned experiential events from concept development through execution, including program and content development, audience strategy, speaker and partner engagement, budgeting, cross-functional coordination, production and post-event evaluation. Works cross-functionally with relevant SME teams to leverage organizational expertise, audiences and resources and to develop repeatable event formats that can be expanded based on market demand and demonstrated results.

Major Functions

• Conceives, develops, and executes small-to-mid-sized, high-value experiential events aligned with priority manufacturing segments and emerging technologies.
• Designs event concepts rooted in compelling content, storytelling, and curated attendee experiences that differentiate these programs from traditional trade shows and conferences.
• Responsible for the financial outcomes of the experiential events portfolio.
• Identifies and secures high-caliber speakers, facilitators, and partners from manufacturing, technology, research and other relevant sectors to strengthen event content and attendee value.
• Leads the full lifecycle of assigned experiential events, including concept development, audience targeting, budgeting, production, execution, and post-event analysis.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with relevant SME teams to ensure alignment with broader organizational, brand and revenue strategies.
• Develops personalized attendee experiences before, during, and after each event to strengthen engagement, encourage repeat participation, and build ongoing connections among manufacturing leaders and innovators.
• Uses data and attendee feedback to evaluate event effectiveness and refine event formats, themes, and audience targeting.
• Stays current on manufacturing technology trends to inform event content and maintain relevance to target audiences.
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

MINIMUM EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business administration, event management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in experiential marketing, event strategy, content-driven programming, or a related field.
• Proven track record of producing small-to-mid-sized, high-impact events (e.g., executive roundtables, salons, curated summits) preferably in B2B, manufacturing, industrial, or technology sectors.
• Background in media, in-person B2B events, online communities, knowledge-driven industries, or industrial technology.
• Strong editorial instinct with the ability to shape compelling agendas and narratives around emerging manufacturing technologies.
• Experience working with senior executives, thought leaders, engineers, or niche professional audiences in manufacturing or industrial technology.
• Exceptional project management and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Ability to balance creativity with operational excellence and budget discipline.
• Understanding of manufacturing challenges and opportunities related to digital transformation, supply chain management, automation, sustainability, and workforce development is preferred.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies

• Communication and Collaboration
• Relationship Management
• Professionalism and Integrity
• Critical Thinking and Decision-Making
• Execution
• Initiative, Leadership, and Development

Job Competencies

• Experiential Event Strategy and Design
• Content Development and Curation
• Audience Engagement and Community Building
• Event Production and Project Management
• Budget Planning and Financial Management

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Standard office environment
• Regular, in-person attendance required
• Primary office location: Southfield, MI.
• Travel required

Summary

POSITION TITLE: Director, Content Experiences

GROUP: Events

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt