Director, Experiential Marketing

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive global events strategy aligned with OpenTable's marketing and business objectives across diner, restaurant, and co-marketing with industry partners.
• Identify new in-person opportunities to enhance brand presence, drive engagement, and generate leads.
• Build digital platforms for brand moments, leveraging programs like Notes from the Table and All on the Line webinar series to tell stories and inspire audiences both digitally and in person.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of event professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.
• Oversee the planning and execution of B2C events such as experiential dining events, culinary festivals, and consumer activations.
• Manage B2B events including industry conferences, webinars, workshops, product launches, and hospitality summits to support restaurant acquisition and retention.
• Develop and manage joint partner event initiatives with key technology providers and other partners to expand reach and achieve shared business outcomes.
• Own the global events budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility, maximizing ROI, and developing KPIs and measurement frameworks for event impact.
• Identify and manage relationships with external vendors, agencies, and venues to ensure high-quality execution and cost-effectiveness.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Sales, Product, PR, and Legal to ensure seamless event integration and impact.
• Ensure all event activities reflect OpenTable's brand identity, voice, and messaging.
• Stay informed on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to innovate and enhance event effectiveness.
• Navigate complex challenges with strong problem-solving skills and adapt quickly to changing circumstances.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience in event marketing, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role overseeing a global or multi-faceted events function.
• Proven success in planning, executing, and measuring large-scale conferences, experiential activations, B2B summits, and partner events.
• Ability to pitch strategies and co-create series or experiences for target audiences, working with influential industry icons.
• Experience managing both B2C and B2B event portfolios.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills with a track record of motivating and developing top talent.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing significant event budgets focused on ROI.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, capable of articulating complex ideas to diverse audiences including executives.
• Proven ability to manage up and provide strategic updates to senior leadership.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic thinker with a creative approach to problem-solving.
• Experience in the technology, hospitality, or online marketplace industries is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required for events and meetings.

Nice to Have

• Experience in the technology, hospitality, or online marketplace industries.

Benefits & Perks

• Work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year.
• Company-paid therapy sessions through SpringHealth.
• Company-paid subscription to Headspace.
• Annual company-wide week off to recharge.
• Paid parental leave.
• Generous paid vacation and time off for your birthday.
• Paid volunteer time.
• Development Dollars and leadership development programs.
• Access to thousands of on-demand e-learnings.
• Travel discounts.
• Employee Resource Groups.
• Competitive salary range of $180,000-200,000, plus benefits including health, retirement, life insurance, paid time off, and potential bonuses and equity.