Director of Events

Overview
Leads the strategy, planning, and execution of HKS's event presence across all sectors/practices and firmwide campaigns in alignment with practice leadership and strategic goals. Ensures events reinforce the brand, drive business development, amplify our keynote speaking and deepen client relationships. Oversees hosted events, conference sponsorships, speaking engagements, hospitality, and firmwide showcases that elevate HKS's visibility and impact. Manages the firm's resources (people, processes and tools) and assignments strategically with proficiency, fluency and aptitude.

Responsibilities

• Leads the firm's event strategy including owned, sponsored, and third-party events
• Manages planning, logistics, vendor coordination, and execution of all major events and experiences
• Supports business development through curated hospitality and engagement opportunities
• Tracks event ROI and support lead capture and post-event engagement workflows
• Collaborates with Brand and Digital teams to ensure cohesive storytelling and promotion across pre-, during-, and post-event phases
• Maintains an annual events calendar and prioritization framework to support firm and sector goals
• Manages vendor and partner relationships to ensure service excellence and innovation
• Models and holds others accountable to the firm's cultural values, including a commitment to quality, innovation, learning and growth
• Acts with positive, service-driven attitude with a commitment to going above and beyond to help customers and team members
• Actively invests in the professional development of staff through mentoring, performance management and career planning
• Supports efforts in attracting, training, retaining, growing and recognizing diverse talent
• Manages conflict effectively and encourages a healthy team environment
• Fosters and maintains a collaborative professional working relationship with the project team, including promoting communication and creating approachability
• Takes personal responsibility for fostering a green workplace through sustainable work practices
• Collaborates to develop budgets and timelines of team projects in collaboration with Chief Marketing Officer and Marketing leadership
• May lead team in identifying and implementing cost savings ideas
• Collaborates in and may be responsible for delivering a project on defined budget requirements
• May support the business development process by identifying new opportunities and relationship building

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing or related degree
• Typically with 15+ years of experience in strategic event planning and execution, especially within B2B or professional services contexts
• Experience in InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator graphic software preferred
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint preferred
• Prior experience in the architecture/interior design industry preferred
• Proven ability to work across stakeholder groups, functional areas, geographies, and differing levels of seniority
• Successful track record with managing a team and performing duties in a fast-paced environment
• Experience in logistics management including connecting people and resources to the right place at the right time
• Excellent knowledge of event platforms, hospitality best practices, and brand-aligned storytelling
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to excellence
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with all levels of staff and customers; ability to forge trusting relationships within a diverse team
• Strong presentation skills
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities, markets, and technologies while maintaining strategic focus
• Ability to confidently communicate with a wide variety of internal and external constituents
• Ability to proactively problem solve and apply innovative solutions
• Ability to work and collaborate in a team environment, and ability to work independently and prioritize work
• Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality
• Travel may be required

If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the
Internal Careers Portal
.

HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran