Associate Managing Director

Access Destination Services•San Diego, CA

40d•Hybrid

About The Position

As Associate Managing Director, you will help guide the performance and strategic direction of a territory while supporting P&L management, driving key performance indicators, and developing high-performing teams. You will partner with Executive Leadership, Corporate Finance, Talent Operations, and your Managing Director mentor to develop and execute the territory’s annual business plan within established company guardrails. The role requires strong cross-functional collaboration, operational insight, and leadership presence across Sales, Creative, and Events teams. The Associate Managing Director also serves as a key ambassador for Access in the local market, cultivating relationships with clients, hotels, and strategic partners while contributing to the long-term growth of the territory.

Nice To Haves

7+ years of experience in events, hospitality, or a related industry.
3+ years of experience in a leadership or managerial role.
Strong leadership presence with the ability to coach and develop emerging leaders.
Experience collaborating across multiple functional teams and managing operational performance.
Strong business acumen with familiarity in financial metrics, forecasting, and KPI management.
Excellent communication, relationship-building, and strategic thinking skills.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Culture
Lead and support a team of Directors, Associate Directors, and Managers across Sales, Events, and Creative functions, expanding leadership capacity as the territory grows.
Facilitate regular one-on-one meetings, monthly scorecards, and development planning to ensure leaders receive consistent coaching, performance feedback, and career development support.
Foster a high-engagement culture that reflects Access values by recognizing top performers, mentoring high-potential team members, and addressing performance or cultural gaps quickly and constructively.
Partner with Talent Operations and executive leadership to support hiring, onboarding, and leadership development across the territory.
Oversee the annual performance review process to align on objectives, career aspirations, and development plans that support long-term engagement and accountability.
Program & Operational Leadership
Develop a deep working knowledge of Sales, Creative, and Events processes in order to effectively support and coach functional leaders.
Participate in proposal kick-offs, budget scoping sessions, creative brainstorming calls, client meetings, and operational reviews to ensure alignment across departments.
Support operational oversight by reviewing performance metrics, program outcomes, and internal processes to identify opportunities for improved execution and operational scalability.
Partner with leadership teams to ensure consistent processes, strong cross-functional collaboration, and alignment with company strategy.
Client & Market Leadership
Serve as a visible ambassador for Access within the local market, strengthening relationships with clients, hotels, venues, and supplier partners.
Cultivate and deepen high-value partnerships that drive new business opportunities and strengthen Access’s presence within the destination.
Maintain an active presence within the industry through networking, client engagement, and participation in industry events and conferences.
Provide market insights and feedback to executive leadership to support strategic initiatives and territory growth.
Financial Stewardship
Support territory financial performance through participation in budget planning, forecasting, and ongoing financial monitoring.
Work closely with Corporate Finance and leadership teams to track revenue performance, manage expenses, and recommend adjustments to improve profitability within company frameworks.
Contribute to initiatives that improve gross profit margins and net income performance by identifying operational efficiencies, pricing opportunities, and best practices across teams.

Benefits

Certified as a Great Place to Work – 3 years in a row and counting!
50+ years in the industry!
Women-owned and women-led
Fun, creative, and supportive culture
Focus on recognition and employee value – including annual and quarterly awards
Paid day off to serve your local community
Annual all-company retreat to connect, learn, and have fun together
Annual qualifier-based incentive trip for top performers (certain departments eligible)
Regional team outings
Monthly companywide meetings to connect, learn, and celebrate wins
Highly competitive total compensation, including strong base salary and quarterly bonuses
Very strong performance-based quarterly commission plans
401k with company match (eligible after 1 year – up to 4% of salary matched, vested immediately)
Monthly cell phone stipend
Work from home opportunities and flexibility (including full home office setup)
Flexible schedule opportunities
Generous PTO
Sick days
9 full holidays
5 half days off prior to holidays to unplug early
2 floating holidays off to be used on holidays of your choice
½ day Fridays in July & August (based on achievement of goals)
Extensive menu of health plans to choose from
Paid parental leave
Pet insurance program
Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
Mentorship program
“Masterclasses” in industry/department-specific topics
State-of-the-art technology platforms and tools – including training
Annual and monthly meeting content that focuses on professional development