Director, Meetings & Events

dentsu; Norwalk (CT); On-site; USD 83,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k

Flexible PTO

15 holidays per year

Paid sick leave

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Dentsu is seeking a seasonedEvent Program Leader to manage corporate meetings, conferences, and client experiences from planning through onsite execution. You will lead cross-functional teams, coordinate venues, travel, and production, and serve as the main client contact for Fortune 500 accounts in a fast-paced agency setting.

The role requires 8+ years in events, strong leadership, budgets, and stakeholder management.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience planning and executing corporate meetings, conferences, leadership programs, and/or trade shows.
• Experience leading teams and managing complex programs, preferably in an agency environment.
• Strong budgeting, client presentation, and vendor negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of corporate meetings, conferences, executive events, and client experiences.
• Serve as primary client lead, building trusted relationships and providing recommendations.
• Oversee venue sourcing, registration, logistics, and onsite operations.

Skills

Event planning

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Budget management

Vendor management

Conference and trade show execution

Travel coordination

Strategic program development

Tools

Project management tools

Budgeting software

Job description

Job Description

About You

We are looking for candidates with 8+ years of demonstrated experience planning and executing corporate meetings, conferences, leadership programs, and/or trade shows, including experience leading teams and managing complex programs. Experience in an event, experiential, or marketing agency environment is strongly preferred.

This person will lead teams and serve as the primary client contact for programs ranging from executive meetings for 75 guests to conferences and trade shows for 2,000+ attendees for Fortune 500 companies. Responsibilities will span meeting production, registration, hotels, travel, transportation, food & beverage, and VIP hospitality. Working alongside agency leadership, this person will also help strengthen planning practices, develop talent, and identify opportunities to expand our work with clients.

The ideal candidate is confident, collaborative, and detail-oriented, with the ability to bring structure to complex projects, advise clients, manage budgets and help teams do their best work. We are looking for someone who can delegate effectively, step in when needed, and keep multiple programs moving through planning and onsite execution.

Key Skills and Qualities Include:

• Strong knowledge of meeting logistics, attendee experience, and coordination with content and production teams
• Ability to manage multiple clients, complex programs, and competing priorities from planning through onsite execution in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong people leadership skills, including team development, delegation, and accountability
• Excellent client relationship, communication, and presentation skills
• Resourcefulness, sound judgment, and the ability to remain calm under pressure
• Strong budgeting, negotiation, and vendor management skills

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of corporate meetings, conferences, executive events, and client experiences.
• Develop programs that align with client objectives and deliver exceptional attendee experiences.
• Serve as the primary client lead, building trusted relationships, providing recommendations, and ensuring program success.
• Lead cross-functional teams, establishing staffing plans, priorities, accountability, and resource allocation.
• Oversee all aspects of event delivery, including venue sourcing and contracting, attendee management, logistics, production, hospitality, transportation, registration, and onsite operations.
• Manage event budgets, forecasting, financial tracking, and post-event reconciliation.
• Partner with MKTG creative, finance, and agency leadership to coordinate resources and support program execution.
• Review client deliverables, presentations, event documentation, post-event reports, and recommendations.
• Provide onsite leadership, managing teams, vendors, and stakeholders while resolving issues in real time.
• Evaluate program performance and identify opportunities to improve processes, enhance attendee experiences, and strengthen future programs.
• Coach, mentor, and develop team members, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Support business development efforts, including client pitches, proposals, and expanding opportunities within existing accounts as they arise.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to travel and support events outside traditional business hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Willingness to assist with onsite event setup, breakdown, and operational support when required.

Additional Information:

The annual salary range for this position is $82,500-$95,000. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law.

Benefits available with this position include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance,
• Life insurance,
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance,
• 401k,
• Flexible paid time off,
• At least 15 paid holidays per year,
• Paid sick and safe leave, and
• Paid parental leave.

Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. For further details regarding Dentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com.

Location:

Charlotte

Brand:

Mktg Sports

Time Type:

Full time

Contract Type:

Permanent

Dentsu is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. We do this without regard to race, color, national origin, sex , sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religious practices and observances, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Dentsu is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to, among others, individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity with us, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] by clicking on the link to let usknow the nature of your accommodation request and your contact information. We are here to support you.