Senior Manager, Brand Experience

Edelman•Chicago, IL

1d•$60,000 - $80,000

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Brand Experience leads the strategy, development, and execution of integrated marketing and experiential programs for key client accounts. This role blends strategic leadership, client partnership, creative collaboration, and operational oversight to deliver high-impact brand experiences from concept through execution and measurement. The Senior Manager serves as a senior day-to-day client lead, guiding cross-functional teams, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring programs drive measurable impact for clients while meeting agency standards for creativity, execution, and financial performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, advertising, or a related field
4+ years of experience in experiential marketing, brand activations, or integrated marketing
Demonstrated experience managing complex experiential programs and client relationships
Experience integrating experiential campaigns with digital, social, and PR strategies
Strong strategic thinking and creative problem-solving abilities
Proven ability to manage multiple projects, teams, and timelines simultaneously
Strong leadership and mentorship skills
Excellent communication, presentation, and client management abilities
Working knowledge of public relations and integrated marketing programs
Passion for culture, entertainment, sports, and brand experiences

Responsibilities

Strategy & Program Development Lead the strategic development of integrated marketing, promotional, and experiential programs aligned to client business objectives
Translate client goals, cultural insights, and industry trends into clear program strategies and creative briefs
Guide cross-disciplinary teams in concept development and program ideation
Lead and facilitate brainstorm sessions and creative workshops
Develop program frameworks, activation strategies, and execution roadmaps
Ensure experiential programs are integrated across social, digital, PR, and influencer channels
Apply audience insights and industry trends to strengthen strategic recommendations and innovation
Account & Client Leadership Serve as primary day-to-day client lead across assigned programs and accounts
Build strong client relationships and act as a trusted advisor on experiential and brand engagement strategy
Lead client communications including presentations, program updates, and strategic recommendations
Manage program scopes, timelines, and deliverables across multiple initiatives simultaneously
Understand client business objectives, competitive landscape, and industry dynamics to proactively identify opportunities
Identify and drive opportunities to grow accounts through new capabilities, program expansions, or strategic initiatives
Mentor and guide junior team members on account management and program execution
Experiential Production & Execution Oversee the end-to-end planning and execution of experiential programs and brand activations
Lead development of production documentation including: Production timelines and schedules Run-of-show documents Vendor briefs Staffing plans and training materials Key messaging frameworks
Source, negotiate, and manage external vendors and production partners
Ensure operational excellence across program execution, troubleshooting challenges and implementing solutions in real time
Provide senior oversight during live activations and events
Financial & Operational Management Manage program budgets, forecasting, and financial performance across accounts
Oversee program setup and tracking within agency financial systems
Ensure projects are delivered on budget and within scope while maintaining profitability
Review vendor contracts, invoices, and billing coordination
Monitor financial performance across programs and identify opportunities for cost efficiencies
Measurement & Reporting Define program KPIs and success metrics in collaboration with clients and internal teams
Lead development of campaign recaps and performance reporting
Translate program results into actionable insights and strategic recommendations for future initiatives
Ensure measurement frameworks are aligned with client business objectives
Business Development & Agency Contribution Support new business efforts, including RFP development, proposal writing, and pitch presentations
Partner with cross-disciplinary teams to develop integrated marketing concepts for prospective clients
Contribute to agency thought leadership, case studies, and award submissions
Actively build industry relationships and represent the agency within the experiential marketing community