Director of Events

Access Your Potential!

Work with us to create and deliver shared experiences that inspire people—and have a lot of fun doing it!

Join us in shaping and delivering shared experiences that inspire people while leading a high-performing Events team across the Southwest Territory. Here, you’ll collaborate, innovate, and help drive operational excellence — all while having a lot of fun doing meaningful work.

About the Job
The Director of Events (DOE) is responsible for setting the strategic direction and leading the overall management of the Events team to ensure operational excellence across all programs. This role oversees team structure, performance, and process alignment as well as Program Assignment—ensuring high standards in client delivery, financial outcomes, and cross-departmental collaboration. The DOE drives innovation, supports territory growth, and cultivates a strong, solutions-oriented team culture.

What You'll Be Doing

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and mentor Associate Directors, Senior Managers, and Event Managers, fostering professional growth and long-term engagement.
• Champion a culture of creative excellence and continuous learning through consistent coaching, alignment meetings, and feedback loops.
• Partner with Talent Operations and executive leadership to recruit, onboard, and develop a diverse pipeline of future leaders.
• Promote open communication, accountability, and inclusive collaboration across all teams.
• Oversee performance management systems, leveraging KPIs and performance data to guide coaching and succession planning.
• Drive organizational development initiatives to build team resilience, increase retention, and sustain operational excellence.

Operational & Program Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of all event operations, ensuring program excellence, consistency, and scalability across the territory.
• Review program overviews and major event plans with Event Managers prior to execution to ensure strategic alignment and quality control.
• Step in to lead large-scale, high-profile programs when needed, providing on-site leadership and client representation.
• Own and manage key financial components for large or strategic programs, including Statements of Work (SOWs), budgets, and invoicing.
• Oversee Event Staff readiness, ensuring clear communication, accurate documentation, and seamless on-site execution.
• Lead innovation and strategic problem-solving across regions, inspiring proactive thinking and driving a culture of continuous improvement.
• Evaluate event performance metrics (profitability, efficiency, and client satisfaction) and implement data-informed improvements across the organization.

Vendor & Supplier Relations

• Oversee the company’s vendor relationship strategy, ensuring alignment with Access standards, DEI goals, and profitability objectives.
• Cultivate key supplier partnerships and professional networks to strengthen relationships and identify mutually beneficial opportunities.
• Partner with the Supplier Partnerships team on sourcing, vetting, and procurement strategies to enhance quality and operational consistency.
• Champion sustainability and ethical sourcing by incorporating environmental and social responsibility into all vendor and material selection processes.
• Represent Access in national sustainability initiatives and client discussions related to responsible sourcing and impact tracking.

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as an executive-level point of contact for high-value or strategic client relationships.
• Support Sales and Creative teams during client site visits, presentations, and debriefs, ensuring the Access value proposition is clearly articulated.
• Oversee client experience quality across all programs within the territory, ensuring delivery aligns with brand tone, service excellence, and client objectives.
• Collaborate with Managing Directors and cross-functional leadership to strengthen client relationships, identify opportunities, and drive retention and growth.
• Foster a “client-first” culture across the Events department, defining clear standards for communication, service recovery, and professional excellence.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Serve as the primary liaison between Creative, Sales, Events, and Executive Leadership, ensuring strategic alignment across all teams.
• Build trust and transparency through consistent, cross-functional communication and collaboration.
• Lead and facilitate team-wide communications, leadership meetings, and milestone celebrations to promote unity and shared success.
• Champion initiatives beyond day-to-day operations to enhance the Access brand, strengthen culture, and drive innovation.
• Translate client and market needs into actionable creative and operational strategies, ensuring Access maintains a competitive edge.

Technology & Process Management

• Provide strategic oversight of Salesforce and internal systems to ensure data integrity and visibility across departments.
• Monitor regional and territory-wide financial performance and program forecasting accuracy.
• Drive the adoption of technology tools and automation to streamline workflows and improve scalability.
• Partner with internal systems teams to ensure processes are efficient, standardized, and aligned with company goals.
• Lead and reinforce compliance with company policies, operational standards, and best practices across all levels of the Events team.

Budgeting & Financial Responsibility

• Accountable for overall team financial performance, including revenue growth, gross profit goals, and margin health.
• Provide strategic direction on upselling, pricing, and resource allocation to optimize profitability.
• Oversee team-wide costing accuracy and ensure consistent application of costing tools and methodologies.
• Partner cross-functionally to refine pricing models and improve forecasting, reporting, and financial accountability.
• Set financial expectations and KPIs for department leaders, monitoring results and implementing corrective actions when needed.

Productivity & Adaptability

• Lead department-wide capacity planning through strategic forecasting, workload balancing, and prioritization frameworks.
• Create and implement scalable processes that increase efficiency while maintaining creative quality.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure resources align with business priorities and seasonal demands.
• Drive a culture of sustainable performance, setting clear expectations while promoting work-life balance and professional well-being.
• Anticipate evolving market conditions and guide teams to adapt quickly to shifting client needs and industry dynamics.
  

Risk Management & Contingency Planning

• Establish and maintain comprehensive risk management standards across all programs and teams.
• Approve contingency budgets and oversee high-level response protocols for major operational risks.
• Collaborate with Sales, Creative, and Operations leadership to align mitigation strategies and ensure readiness for potential crises.
• Represent Access in client communications during critical incidents or escalations, providing leadership, transparency, and confidence.
• Ensure learnings from incidents are captured and translated into updated processes or SOPs.
  

About Access
Access is a women-owned and women-led destination management company that collaborates with clients to design and execute corporate events and programs. Our expert teams are in coast-to-coast destinations, designing and producing ultimate experiences for our clients. 

About You
We know that there’s no one in the world like you. And we know that you have a lot to offer the next company you work with. Below is a list of “nice-to-haves”, but don’t let those deter you from applying. Access believes that an inclusive team and culture is important. We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.

Nice-to-haves:

• 7+ years of experience in event management, ideally within hospitality or destination management
• Proven leadership experience: hiring, training, mentoring, and scaling teams
• Deep knowledge of the Orlando market and strong vendor/hotel connections
• Strategic and results-driven, with strong business acumen
• Excellent time management, communication, and organizational skills
• Passion for creating exceptional event experiences
  

What Success Looks Like

• Territory consistently meeting or exceeding revenue targets
• High client satisfaction scores across all programs operated in the territory
• Meeting or exceeding gross profit goals on programs operated in the territory
• Meeting or exceeding total revenue in ASO goals across the territory
• Excelling in Key Areas of Responsibility
• Consistently meeting or exceeding territory performance targets (Revenue, Average Invoice, )
• Recognized as a trusted mentor and resource within the Events Department
• Consistently demonstrating all Access Values
• Completing the required training and certifications
• Showing initiative in problem-solving
• Maintaining a positive attitude

Why Access? 
CULTURE & EXTRAS

• Certified as a Great Place To Work – 2 years in a row!
• 50+ years in the industry!
• Women-owned and women-led
• Fun, creative, and supportive culture
• Focus on recognition and employee value – including annual and quarterly awards
• Paid day off to serve your local community
• Annual all-company retreat to connect, learn, and have fun together
• Annual qualifier-based incentive trip for top performers (certain departments eligible)
• Regional team outings
• Monthly companywide meetings to connect, learn, and celebrate wins

COMPENSATION

• Highly competitive total compensation, including strong base salary and quarterly bonuses
• Very strong performance-based quarterly commission plans
• 401k with company match (eligible after 1 year – up to 4% of salary matched, vested immediately
• Monthly cell phone stipend

WORK LIFE BALANCE

• Work from home opportunities and flexibility (including full home office setup)
• Flexible schedule opportunities
• Generous PTO
• Sick days
• 9 full holidays
• 5 half days off prior to holidays to unplug early
• 2 floating holidays off to be used on holidays of your choice
• ½ day Fridays in July & August (based on achievement of goals)

HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND FAMILY

• Extensive menu of health plans to choose from
• Paid parental leave
• Pet insurance program
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Mentorship program
• “Masterclasses” in industry/department-specific topics
• State-of-the-art technology platforms and tools – including training
• Annual and monthly meeting content that focuses on professional development

What are you waiting for? Scroll back to the top and apply!

Access is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We are a proud Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].