Director, Events Strategy

Hearst•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Director, Events Strategy leads the development, monetization, and growth of the Houston Chronicle’s events portfolio, positioning events as revenue platforms that connect advertisers with influential Houston audiences. This role is responsible for building profitable event properties spanning large-scale consumer experiences and high-value B2B programs that generate sponsorship revenue, strengthen advertiser relationships, and reinforce the Chronicle’s role as a leading business voice in the region. Reporting to the VP of Marketing & Strategic Development, the Director owns the P&L for the event portfolio, manages a team of four, and partners with Advertising leadership to design sponsorship platforms that drive revenue growth. The role also expands the Chronicle’s B2B visibility through strategic partnerships with chambers of commerce, industry associations, and regional business organizations, while securing speaking opportunities at key conferences that position Chronicle leaders as market authorities. Success requires an entrepreneurial operator who can build scalable event platforms, attract sponsors, and deliver consistent profitability.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, event management, or related field
Proven experience creating and executing revenue-generating event platforms
Demonstrated success producing large-scale consumer events (3,000+ attendees)
Experience producing high-quality B2B conferences, executive events, or industry gatherings
Track record of launching new events from concept to profitable execution
Experience structuring sponsorship programs and strategic partnerships
P&L ownership with strong financial management and budgeting skills
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Strong leadership experience managing cross-functional teams
Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives in a deadline-driven environment
Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook

Nice To Haves

Experience within media, publishing, or advertising organizations
Strong understanding of advertiser marketing objectives and sponsorship sales
Experience working with chambers of commerce and business organizations
Familiarity with CRM and marketing platforms such as Salesforce, Monday.com, MailChimp, Outreach , or similar tools
Strong project management and organizational skills
Entrepreneurial mindset with a builder’s mentality and strong execution focus

Responsibilities

Event Strategy, Creation & Profitability Lead the development and growth of a portfolio of profitable events that serve both consumer audiences and business sponsors.
Own the P&L and revenue performance for signature events including Salute to Nurses, Top Workplaces, Best of the Best, Houston Gives, and Culinary Stars
Build events as scalable revenue platforms with sponsorship, ticketing, and partnership models that drive year-over-year growth
Establish revenue targets and profitability benchmarks for each event property
Design and launch new event concepts aligned with advertiser categories and Chronicle audiences
Identify opportunities to convert successful programs into recurring annual franchises with predictable sponsor demand
Oversee the full lifecycle of event development and execution, from concept through post-event reporting
Manage event budgets, production timelines, and vendor negotiations to maximize profitability
Ensure each event delivers a high-quality experience while maintaining strong financial discipline
Work in partnership with Advertising leadership to position events as high-impact sponsorship platforms.
Develop tiered sponsorship frameworks that generate significant advertiser investment and appropriate margins
Identify high-value sponsor categories and anchor partners aligned with Chronicle audiences
Design sponsorship programs that provide meaningful brand exposure, thought leadership, and audience engagement
Develop industry-focused event platforms aligned with advertiser sectors where revenue opportunity may exist in the market
Leverage current partnerships with influential business organizations to expand event reach, increase sponsor pipelines, and strengthen the Chronicle brand.
Expand the Chronicle’s B2B presence by strategically positioning company leaders at key regional conferences and industry events.
Identify high-impact conferences and regional business events aligned with advertiser categories and audience strategy
Secure speaking opportunities for Chronicle executives and subject matter experts
Coordinate conference participation including sponsorship presence, panels, and networking strategy
Leverage chamber and industry partnerships to expand speaking invitations and event participation
Ensure conference engagement supports lead generation, advertiser relationships, and brand visibility
Support advertising teams with materials that position events as powerful marketing platforms.
Partner with Sales Enablement to develop event sales collateral, sponsor decks, and proposal frameworks
Ensure sponsorship materials clearly communicate audience reach, engagement opportunities, and advertiser ROI
Integrate market research insights and audience data into sponsorship positioning
Maintain consistency across all marketing and event presentation assets
Lead the team responsible for delivering high-quality events and marketing support.
Manage and mentor a team of event marketing and design professionals
Coordinate cross-functional collaboration with advertising, editorial, and corporate marketing
Oversee vendor relationships and contract negotiations
Implement project management systems to support efficient event execution