Vice President, Events and Client Engagement

Vice President, Events And Client Engagement

HarbourVest is seeking a Vice President, Events and Client Engagement to lead the firm's global client engagement and experiential marketing strategy. This senior-level role involves creating memorable, high-impact client experiences that strengthen relationships with institutional investors and general partners. It further aims to raise the HarbourVest brand profile and sustain the firm's enduring partnership orientation.
At HarbourVest, events are a core client experience platform rather than standalone moments. This role sets the vision for how clients and colleagues engage with the firm through thoughtfully crafted experiences. These experiences combine thought leadership, relationship building, and brand expression to create meaningful and memorable interactions.
The Vice President will oversee a global portfolio of in?person, hybrid, and virtual experiential marketing, ranging from senior?level executive engagements to large?scale flagship events. Working closely with senior leadership, Investor Relations, Investment teams, and Marketing, the role ensures experiences are consistently delivered at the highest standard across regions.
This position leads a high-performing global events team, with five members located in Boston and close partnership with colleagues worldwide. Collectively, the group manages nearly 100 events each year, covering a diverse array of formats, audiences, and geographies throughout the Americas, EMEA, and APAC.
The ideal candidate brings a strong point of view on experience design, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence. They can translate strategy into seamless, polished execution and outstanding events that build strong connections and support long-term growth.
What You'll Do:

Experiential Marketing & Event Strategy
Lead the global client events strategy, positioning events as a core engagement and relationship building channel.
Design experiential marketing that reflects HarbourVest's brand values, investment philosophy, and dedication to long-term partnerships.
Identify opportunities to evolve formats, content, and delivery in response to client needs and market trends.
Global Event Portfolio Management

Coordinate the planning and execution of HarbourVest global events, including:
Annual General Meetings (AGMs)
Educational and learning experiences
Brand building and networking experiences
High touch client meetings, roadshows, and hosted experiences
Select industry conferences and sponsorship activations
Maintain consistency, quality, and outstanding performance across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC.
Executive & Collaborator Partnership

Partner with senior leaders to shape agendas, messaging, and experience objectives.
Work together with Investor Relations and Client Service groups to assist client engagement and fundraising goals.
Manage internal and external speaker engagement, including selection, vetting, and negotiations.
Team & Operational Leadership

Lead, mentor, and develop a high performing global events team.
Coordinate budgets, vendor relationships, and complex contracts, ensuring fiscal rigor and proactive risk management.
Ensure compliance with internal policies, legal standards, and regulatory requirements.
Measurement & Continuous Improvement

Define and track key performance metrics such as attendance, audience quality, institutional engagement, and post event outcomes elevating events into a measurable growth driver of the firm.
Using data, translate insights into recommendations that inform future experience development and strategy.
What You Bring:

Proven experience leading global, senior level client events and experiential marketing.
Strong executive presence and comfort working with C-suite and partner level collaborators.
Experience managing significant budgets, vendors, and contracts.
Experience managing a high performing team, with multiple direct reports.
Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and encourage teams across regions.
Strategic problem solver with outstanding organizational and communication skills.
Experience with large-scale event management and virtual event platforms (e.g., Cvent, ON24), and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications employed for event coordination, reporting, and executive presentations.
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
Education Preferred:

Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree or comparable experience
Bachelor of Science (B.S) qualification or relevant experience
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation preferred; equivalent experience will also be taken into account
Experience:

10+ years of experience in events or experiential marketing, ideally within asset management, financial services, or a similarly complex, regulated environment.