Director, Meetings & Events

dentsu•Cincinnati, OH

3d•$82,500 - $95,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Meetings & Events leads teams and serves as the primary client contact for corporate programs ranging from executive meetings for 75 guests to conferences and trade shows for more than 2,000 attendees. The role oversees meeting production, registration, hotels, travel, transportation, food and beverage, and VIP hospitality. Working with agency leadership, the Director helps strengthen planning practices, develop talent, and identify opportunities to expand client work. The ideal candidate is confident, collaborative, and detail-oriented, and can structure complex projects, advise clients, manage budgets, and help teams succeed. The role requires effective delegation, the ability to step in when needed, and the capacity to keep multiple programs moving through planning and onsite execution in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Travel and support outside traditional business hours, including evenings and weekends, may be needed, as may onsite event setup, breakdown, and operational support.

Requirements

8+ years of demonstrated experience planning and executing corporate meetings, conferences, leadership programs, and/or trade shows.
Experience leading teams and managing complex programs.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an event, experiential, or marketing agency environment is strongly preferred.

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 by establishing staffing plans, priorities, accountability, and resource allocation.
Oversee 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.
Travel and support events outside traditional business hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
Assist with onsite event setup, breakdown, and operational support when required.