Manager, VIP & Influence

The Independents • New York, NY

31d • $80,000 - $85,000

About The Position

Karla Otto is a globally recognized public relations and communications agency, founded in 1982, with offices in 15 key cities across the UK, EMEA, US, and Asia. With a strong presence in fashion capitals such as Milan, London, Paris, and New York, the agency has built a reputation for representing some of the most prestigious names in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.
In 2017, Karla Otto merged with K2 to form THE INDEPENDENTS, a global marketing, design, and communications group. This collective brings together industry leaders who share a commitment to innovation, excellence, and thoughtful collaboration across the luxury and lifestyle sectors.
At Karla Otto, our team of expert strategists, designers, planners and publicists are dedicated to delivering exceptional results and establishing long-term partnerships with our clients. We are passionate about the world of fashion, beauty, and luxury, with everyone bringing their unique expertise and insights to the table. We are driven by a shared commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the ever-evolving industry landscape.
To help support our future growth as an agency, we are looking for a Manager, VIP & Influence to join our team in New York
The Manager, VIP + Influence will support and lead high-touch talent programming across brand activations, collaborations, fashion shows, and events, while managing paid influencer and VIP partnerships for luxury fashion, lifestyle, hospitality, and beauty clients. This role requires strategic thinking, exceptional execution, and comfort operating in fast-paced, high-profile environments.

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience at an agency or in-house, ideally within fashion, luxury, entertainment, or lifestyle
• Proven track record managing paid influencer and VIP campaigns, including events and activations
• Strong understanding of Instagram, TikTok, and emerging social platforms
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading fashion shows, brand events, collaborations, and experiential activations
• High level of polish, sophistication, and attention to detail—both aesthetically and operationally
• Strong negotiator with experience navigating complex contracts in partnership with legal teams
• Confident self-starter who brings ideas forward and contributes meaningfully to client experience and team culture
• Enthusiastic about attending industry events and building real-world relationships
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organization, and research skills
• Positive, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to thrive under pressure
• Creative, curious, and eager to grow within luxury VIP and influencer marketing

Responsibilities

• Day-to-day management of VIP and influencer deliverables across fashion, lifestyle, hospitality, and beauty accounts, with a strong focus on events, activations, and fashion shows
• Lead execution of brand activations, collaborations, press events, fashion shows, and VIP experiences, including on-site support and talent coordination
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, serving as the primary day-to-day lead and delegating to junior team members as appropriate
• Provide accurate budget estimates for paid partnerships, including brand ambassadorships, event attendance, social campaigns, and booking DJs/performers
• Draft and manage talent Statements of Work, outlining deliverables, services, usage rights, exclusivity, timelines, and fees
• Strategically cast talent for both organic and paid opportunities, aligned to brand DNA, KPIs, audience, and budget
• Negotiate influencer and celebrity partnerships and execute talent contracts in collaboration with legal
• Manage paid talent deliverables and approvals, ensuring all deadlines are met and client feedback is addressed efficiently
• Oversee campaign budgets and partner closely with client and finance teams to ensure third-party collaborators are paid accurately and on time
• Advise clients on organic VIP and influencer strategy, including seedings, dressing opportunities, guest list curation, and press trip support
• Proactively engage stylists to secure celebrity placement opportunities for KO brands
• Build and maintain relationships across the entertainment ecosystem, including talent agents, managers, publicists, influencers, stylists, and relevant media
• Communicate proactively with clients regarding talent opportunities, industry trends, competitive landscape, and program performance
• Act as on-site client and agency point-of-contact at high-profile events, activations, and fashion shows
• Review work submitted by junior team members and provide clear, constructive feedback
• Measure, analyze, and report on campaign performance to optimize future programs (CPM, impressions, engagement, ROI)

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
• 401K Employer Match program
• Commuter Benefits
• Paid Time Off including Vacation Days, Personal Days, Sick Days, and additional Comp Days
• Company-wide closure last week of the year
• 10 Federal Holidays Observed

What This Job Offers

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