Director, Hospitality & Events

About the Role

The Director, Hospitality & Events will lead the end-to-end strategy, planning, and delivery of premium hospitality and sponsorship activations for a globally recognisable brand within Formula 1, ensuring each event reflects the sponsor's objectives and provides exceptional guest experiences. The role works closely with client contacts, agency teammates across Europe, the US and globally, and operational partners, and involves significant international travel to race destinations. It reports into the SVP of Hospitality & Events and is based in London.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and oversee the end-to-end strategy for premium hospitality and guest programmes across major global sporting events.
• Provide strategic guidance to clients on event concepts, programme design and execution plans, overseeing logistics, guest experience design, venue selection and contracting, supplier management, at-track operations and budget oversight.
• Lead planning and execution of site surveys, ensuring logistical, operational and brand requirements are met, managing complex budgets and overseeing event branding, collateral and on-site materials.
• Build trusted senior-level client relationships, lead client calls and meetings, prepare communications and presentations, and manage project status with account leads, internal teams and clients.
• Develop and deliver client-ready event documentation including itineraries, staffing plans, run-of-show schedules and post-event recaps with actionable insights.
• Oversee guest services planning and delivery, including ticketing, registration, accreditation, accommodation, travel, transport and on-site hospitality, and shape guest experience strategy across all touchpoints.
• Lead the design and implementation of premium VIP and executive-level experiences and supervise the development of hospitality spaces and guest environments with suppliers, venues and production partners.
• Oversee procurement and management of key delivery partners such as hotels, transport providers, staffing agencies and event suppliers, working with stadiums, circuits and venues to secure premium hospitality infrastructure.
• Act as the senior operational lead on site at key global events, overseeing guest operations, supplier delivery, quality control and resolving challenges to ensure a premium, world-class guest experience.
• Manage, mentor and coach a small team of 1-2 junior specialists, overseeing their day-to-day delivery and professional development and fostering collaboration across internal teams, client stakeholders and suppliers.
• Lead budgeting processes for hospitality projects including forecasting, financial tracking and reconciliation, ensuring programmes are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.
• Support new business development by contributing strategic thinking, operational insight and creative solutions to proposals and RFP responses.
• Lead key culture initiatives, demonstrate the importance of the company's culture and values to the junior team, and support personal development through performance objectives and leadership training.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Proven Formula 1 event experience, with a deep understanding of the operational, logistical and brand integration requirements unique to motorsport.
• Extensive knowledge of the global events industry, with strong insight into the sports, sponsorship and premium hospitality sectors.
• Proven track record of delivering complex, multi-market hospitality programmes for global consumer brands.
• Deep understanding of operational planning, logistics, ticketing, accommodation and transport for major international events.
• Expertise in corporate hospitality programme management, including the ability to negotiate and manage a range of suppliers such as F&B, creative services, signage, audio visual, transportation and other event infrastructure.
• Demonstrated ability to lead small teams and coordinate multiple stakeholders, suppliers and delivery partners.
• Exceptional organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage concurrent workstreams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with confidence working directly with senior brand stakeholders.
• Strong commercial awareness and financial management skills, including budget creation, forecasting, reconciliation and proven success in overseeing large-scale budgets with close attention to detail.
• Adept at working in fast-paced, high-pressure environments with significant international travel.

Preferred Skills

• Previous agency experience, particularly in a client-facing or hospitality delivery capacity.
• Proficiency in another language in addition to English.

Workplace

• Hybrid working

Benefits & Perks

• Flexible working arrangements available for all roles.
• Recognition of the importance of work-life balance.

About the Company

The company is part of Dentsu Sports International, a global sports network comprised of MKTG Sports & Entertainment and Dentsu Sports, a leading sports rights holder including federations, leagues, events, teams and venues.