Director of Entertainment

Starwood Hotels • Austin, TX

4d

About The Position

The Director of Entertainment is responsible for delivering a distinct musical and entertainment experience to guests, expressing the essence of 1 Hotel spaces through a multi-layered entertainment experience. This includes curating music in various venues, booking talent, designing playlists, creating day/nightlife vibes, and programming activations. The role requires communicating and coordinating with team members, leaders, and guests, and embodying the brand to create memorable guest experiences. The position also involves maintaining and overseeing the experience in all public spaces, taking ideas from concept to execution, and managing practical considerations like cost and timing. The Director must develop creative visions, communicate them effectively, and solve problems with a solutions-oriented approach. They will lead entertainment programming, talent bookings, and partnerships, oversee DJ equipment, and ensure timely marketing and promotion of bookings. The role involves discovering and booking musical and cultural acts, building a buzz around fashion, music, and entertainment, and promoting the hotel through networking and partnerships. Managing partner relationships, collaborating with Marketing, Sales, and F&B teams, and coordinating with Marketing, PR, and Digital departments for advertising are key. The Director will ensure programming alignment, provide quarterly reports, create budgets and P&L statements, and maintain a high level of knowledge in the music, entertainment, and fashion industries. They will oversee atmosphere and ambience, develop a relevant music platform, ensure proper music licensing, define guest experiences through curated music, and create packages and promotions to drive traffic and revenue. The role also includes overseeing AV initiatives (lighting, music, sound) and liaising with IT for network integration, managing projects from consulting to installation, and maintaining the cultural relevance and sound of the brand.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Director of Entertainment or similar role in the hospitality, nightlife, or entertainment industry.
• Deep understanding of event activation, promotion, music, and ambiance creation.
• Strong network and history of working with world-class DJs, agents, and entertainment talent.
• Demonstrated success in activating standalone day life and nightlife venues.
• Excellent collaboration skills with a track record of working effectively with marketing and promotion teams.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
• Creative thinker with the ability to innovate and elevate entertainment experiences.
• Strong negotiation and contract management abilities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Great team player with the ability to create excellent working relationships across the group.
• Collaborative approach with all departments, particularly F&B and sales & marketing.
• Ability to break down barriers and resolving potential conflicts swiftly and effortlessly.
• Strong communication and presentation skills to all levels of management.
• Ability to think outside the box and approach all issues with a completely fresh approach.
• Ability to anticipate needs and over deliver wherever possible.
• Candidates must think on their feet and use their innovation to solve problems and deliver solutions.
• Proficient in verbal and written English communication.
• Comply with all safety and health department procedures and all federal and state liquor laws.
• Able to change direction and work on multiple project aspects at once.
• Enthusiastic, passionate, able to enthuse and motivate others.
• Leadership ability and behavior consistent with Core Values: Fun, innovative, original and personable, and striving to deliver high quality and brilliant customer service.

Nice To Haves

• Startup experience in launching new brands and experiences a plus.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a distinct musical and entertainment experience to guests.
• Curate music in different venues, including booking local, national, or international talent.
• Design playlists for public areas and create the day/nightlife vibe.
• Program activations that express the 1 Hotel tone of voice and are culturally relevant.
• Communicate, coordinate, and work well with other team members, leaders, and guests.
• Maintain and oversee the experience in all public spaces.
• Develop creative visions and effectively communicate and execute ideas.
• Identify issues, provide recommendations, and solve problems.
• Lead the charge for Entertainment across the property.
• Leverage resources and connections for successful partnerships and activations.
• Oversee all entertainment programming, talent bookings, and entertainment partnerships.
• Oversee the sourcing and maintenance of all DJ equipment.
• Ensure talent is booked in a timely manner and marketed/promoted effectively.
• Communicate bookings efficiently to all key stakeholders.
• Book and discover up-and-coming musical and cultural acts.
• Create, build, and maintain a buzz at the property that brings together fashion, music, and entertainment.
• Promote the hotel and brand through networking and partnering with like-minded brands.
• Manage relationships with partners to ensure brand alignment and complementary programming.
• Work closely with Marketing, Sales, and F&B teams to elevate relevancy in the music, fashion, and entertainment world.
• Coordinate with Marketing, PR, and Digital departments to advertise and promote activations.
• Ensure weekly and monthly synergies with property representatives for programming alignment.
• Provide quarterly reports on entertainment operations.
• Create a roadmap for budgeting and profit and loss for all activations.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge in music, entertainment, and fashion industry trends.
• Maintain and oversee atmosphere and ambience in all public spaces.
• Provide guests with a complete and differentiated experience.
• Develop a music platform that remains relevant and up to date.
• Ensure all proper licenses are in place for musical content.
• Define guest experience in F&B and guest areas using curated music selections.
• Create and execute packages, promotions, programs, and events.
• Oversee all AV initiatives (lighting, music, sound) to create a musically and culturally relevant experience.
• Liaise with IT to ensure proper integration between IT networks and AV networks.
• Manage each project to completion from initial consulting/design phase to final install.
• Manage external AV team/install team.
• Maintain the cultural relevance and sound of the brand at the hotel.

Benefits

• We believe in a diverse, sustainable workforce with an empowered, inclusive culture.
• We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis covered under applicable law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed