Vice President / Brand Director - Boutique Design
About The Position
Emerald is seeking an inspiring, strategic, and design-driven Vice President / Brand Director to lead the Boutique Design portfolio — including the acclaimed Boutique Design New York (BDNY) and a series of executive-level events that celebrate innovation in hospitality and lifestyle design. This leader will define the creative and commercial vision for the brand, ensuring BDNY remains the premier marketplace where design and experience meet. The VP/Brand Director will be both a strategic business leader and an influential voice within the design community — engaging directly with senior designers, brand executives, developers, and manufacturers who shape the future of boutique hospitality. This is an exceptional opportunity for a passionate, connected, and forward-thinking executive to elevate a brand that sits at the intersection of creativity, commerce, and culture.
Requirements
- Proven success leading large-scale design, hospitality, or creative industry events or brands.
- Deep understanding of the design ecosystem — from interior design and architecture to hospitality development and product manufacturing.
- Strong industry network and ability to engage meaningfully with senior leaders, designers, and creative visionaries.
- Inspirational leadership style that empowers teams and partners through collaboration, trust, and creative energy.
- Strategic, data-informed thinker who can balance design inspiration with business results.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with CRM tools (Salesforce preferred).
- Willingness to travel as required.
Responsibilities
- Craft and execute a strategic vision that aligns business growth with creative excellence, reinforcing BDNY’s reputation as the leading design event for hospitality and lifestyle interiors.
- Inspire and lead cross-functional teams — sales, marketing, operations, and content — to bring the brand vision to life across every channel and touchpoint.
- Collaborate closely with design leaders, associations, and editorial partners to ensure BDNY reflects the latest thinking, trends, and innovations in design.
- Lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting for the event P&L, balancing creativity with commercial performance.
- Translate industry insights into actionable strategies that keep the brand ahead of market trends.
- Serve as a highly visible ambassador within the global design community, representing BDNY at key industry events, panels, and media opportunities.
- Build and nurture relationships with top interior designers, architects, hospitality brand executives, and manufacturers.
- Partner with the design community year-round through content, thought leadership, and collaborations that extend the BDNY brand beyond the show floor.
- Curate and convene conversations that inspire creative exchange, foster innovation, and strengthen the brand’s position as a thought leader in design.
- Develop a growth strategy that aligns exhibitor success with BDNY’s creative and experiential mission.
- Work closely with the Sales Director to shape a vibrant, design-centric floor plan that drives both engagement and revenue.
- Identify and create new sponsorship, activation, and experiential partnership opportunities that add value for exhibitors and attendees alike.
- Lead and support key account engagement and onsite rebooking initiatives.
- Champion the attendee experience — from inspiration to interaction — ensuring every element of BDNY reflects high design, creativity, and innovation.
- Collaborate with content, marketing, and operations teams to deliver immersive activations, installations, and educational programs that surprise and inspire.
- Guide messaging, storytelling, and brand expression across all platforms to maintain consistency, relevance, and emotional connection with the audience.
- Continuously evolve the event experience based on feedback and emerging design and cultural trends.
Benefits
- unlimited vacation for exempt employees
- flexible working locations
- 401(k) plan with a company match
- medical/dental/vision coverage with inclusive provisions including transgender services and fertility benefits
- parental and caregiver leave
- dependent, commuter and FSA benefits
- professional development programs like Toastmasters
- mental wellness tools such as weekly guided meditation programs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
501-1,000 employees
