Director, Strategic Partnerships & Experiences

Dotdash Meredith; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

People Inc. in New York is seeking a Director, Strategic Partnerships & Events to lead a multi‑year sponsorship program spanning Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Charleston, and Best New Chefs.

You will shape the year‑round strategy and ensure alignment across editorial, culinary, marketing, operations, sales, and agencies to deliver impactful experiences. The role blends strategic thinking with hands‑on execution, requiring hospitality knowledge, senior‑level relationship skills, and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 10+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, sponsorships, experiential marketing, brand marketing, or special events, preferably in media, hospitality, premium brands, or an agency.
• Strong knowledge of the hospitality and restaurant industries, including key players, emerging talent, and trends shaping the culinary landscape.
• Proven ability to develop and execute partnership strategies, premium experiences, and branded programming.
• Experience managing senior-level client relationships and collaborating across teams to deliver integrated programs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the strategic lead and primary day‑to‑day contact for a key, multi‑year partnership spanning Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Charleston, and Best New Chefs. Shape and manage the year‑round partnership strategy, translating partner goals into thoughtful programming, activation plans, timelines, and deliverables.
• Lead development and execution of premium hospitality experiences, exclusive dining events, chef‑driven programming, ticketing initiatives, and custom brand activations.
• Oversee partner integration across print, digital, email, social, onsite branding, and other marketing channels, ensuring a cohesive and engaging presence across events.
• Spot new sponsorship opportunities and experiential concepts across Food & Wine's events portfolio, helping Sales develop compelling offerings, proposals, and pitches that drive revenue.
• Oversee partnership budgets, timelines, deliverables, and performance, balancing big‑picture goals with the details needed to keep complex programs on track.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Partnership management

Hospitality knowledge

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience

Job description

People Inc. in New York is seeking a Director, Strategic Partnerships & Events to lead a multi‑year sponsorship program spanning Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Charleston, and Best New Chefs.

You will shape the year‑round strategy and ensure alignment across editorial, culinary, marketing, operations, sales, and agencies to deliver impactful experiences. The role blends strategic thinking with hands‑on execution, requiring hospitality knowledge, senior‑level relationship skills, and the