Executive Talent Liaison

SXSW; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SXSW in Austin, Texas, seeks an Executive Talent Liaison to oversee VIP and speaker experiences from confirmation to on-site departure. You will coordinate pre-event logistics for high-profile speakers and programs, such as the Marketing Leadership Summit, and deliver white-glove service throughout the event.

This is a full-time, on-site role requiring excellent communication, multitasking under pressure, and a client-centric mindset.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in talent management, VIP experiences, executive liaison roles, or event production.
• Experience managing relationships with executives, high-profile figures, or talent agencies preferred.
• Strong communication and client-centric mindset; able to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end VIP experience for top talent and speakers, ensuring exceptional service throughout the participation lifecycle.
• Serve as primary contact for participants, executives, and handlers; coordinate pre-event logistics and asset collection.
• Deliver high-touch service to speakers and organizers; maintain professional contact throughout the event lifecycle.
• Facilitate clear communication with internal teams and external stakeholders to align deadlines and logistics.
• Manage high-volume email correspondence and inquiries; maintain organized communication channels.
• Support year-round administrative lifecycle of the SXSW Conference team and track planning.

Skills

Talent management

VIP experiences

Executive liaison

Event production

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Office software

Tools

Microsoft Office

Slack

Airtable

Google Docs/Sheets/Slides

Job description

Job Purpose

The Innovation Conference team strives to curate and showcase inspiring, creative, and forward-thinking content, attracting the brightest minds in the industry, while making SXSW the premier destination for discovery and creativity. The Executive Talent Liaison will ensure the highest-level speakers participating in the SXSW Innovation Conference have a seamless, end-to-end experience from confirmation to their final moments on-site. From coordinating pre-event advancement and logistics for top-tier speakers and key programs like the Marketing Leadership Summit to delivering high-touch, white-glove service onsite, the Executive Talent Liaison will be central to the success of the event's biggest speakers. They will report to the Senior Innovation Conference Producer, who’s responsible for the biggest stages at the conference, and will additionally assist with key VIPs leading up to the event and onsite.

SXSW Executive Talent Liaison

Job Purpose

The Innovation Conference team strives to curate and showcase inspiring, creative, and forward-thinking content, attracting the brightest minds in the industry, while making SXSW the premier destination for discovery and creativity. The Executive Talent Liaison will ensure the highest-level speakers participating in the SXSW Innovation Conference have a seamless, end-to-end experience from confirmation to their final moments on-site. From coordinating pre-event advancement and logistics for top-tier speakers and key programs like the Marketing Leadership Summit to delivering high-touch, white-glove service onsite, the Executive Talent Liaison will be central to the success of the event's biggest speakers. They will report to the Senior Innovation Conference Producer, who’s responsible for the biggest stages at the conference, and will additionally assist with key VIPs leading up to the event and onsite.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end VIP experience for top talent speaking at the conference and featured programs (such as the Marketing Leadership Summit), ensuring exceptional customer service and attentive communication throughout the participation lifecycle.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for key participants, executives, and handlers, coordinating all pre-event logistics, scheduling confirmations, and asset collection.
• Deliver exceptional, high-touch customer service to speakers, session organizers, and prospective participants, serving as a reliable, professional point of contact.
• Facilitate clear, timely communication with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure alignment on deadlines, asset collection, and event logistics.
• Manage a high volume of daily email correspondence and inquiries efficiently, maintaining organized communication channels and ensuring timely responses during peak times.
• Support the year-round administrative lifecycle of the SXSW Conference team, actively assisting with the advancement, planning, and operational execution of conference tracks.

On-Site Responsibilities

• On-site duties include overseeing VIP talent across the event, ensuring top-level speakers arrive on time, are ready to take the stage, and have a seamless experience.
• Troubleshoot real-time stage or talent issues with poise and sound judgment
• Maintain a professional environment
• Track attendee engagement
• Assist with customer service needs and with any staff requests when shorthanded.

Qualifications & Skills

• 2+ years of experience with talent management, VIP experiences, executive liaison roles, or event production, ideally in a major conference or festival setting
• Experience managing relationships with C-suite executives, high-profile public figures, or talent agencies preferred
• Team-oriented and collaborative attitude with strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and prioritize efficiently under high pressure while maintaining poise and a positive attitude
• Detail-oriented and self-motivated critical thinker capable of finding creative solutions
• Exceptional written, verbal, and in-person communication skills with a client-centric mindset
• Proficiency with common business and communication software (Microsoft Office Suite) and apps (Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, Slack, Airtable)
• Experience in a public-facing role preferred
• Experience in conference or event planning preferred

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds occasionally, as needed
• Manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc
• May require occasional bending, reaching, kneeling, or climbing stairs
• Ability to work outdoors, including exposure to varying temperatures or noise levels

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Location & Schedule

This position is year-round, full-time, and is located in Austin, Texas. Core business office hours are 10 am- 6 pm, Monday through Friday. You must be available to work additional hours from January through March, including evenings and weekends. You must also be available for the March event, which will have extended on-site working hours.