Director, Business Development and Client Services, Brand Experience

We areseekinga dynamic anddriven Director of Business Development and Client Servicestohelp grow the Brand Experience(BE)department at a21.The BrandExperiencedepartmentconcepts and executes branded moments and experiences on behalf of our partners. Fromphysical builds for activation across festivalsandotherevent opportunities tofully immersivepop-ups and brand-ownedevents, the BE teammanages the full life cycle for our clients.
This rolebridges business development, client services, andproject execution,drivingnewpartner activationrevenue and ensuringclient satisfactionacross all BE projects.The ideal candidatehasastrongtrack recorddeveloping new business relationships withbrandswhoactivatein the experientialspace andis experienced inmanagingoperations and productionlogistics.
TheDirector of Business Development and Client Services, Brand Experiencereports to theAVP of Brand Experience.
Key Responsibilities:
Client Services & Relationship Management
Serve as a senior point of contact for key clients, ensuring strong, long-term relationships.
Lead client communications with clarity, confidence, and strategic insight.
Partner with internal teams to translate client needs into actionable plans and deliverables.
Creative Direction & Brand Experience Leadership
Lead the creative direction of brand activations, ensuring concepts are innovative, strategically aligned,best-in-class, and on budget.
Oversee the development of creative concepts from ideation through execution, ensuring they meet clientobjectivesand agency standards.
Collaborate closely with internal and external creative teams to guide design, storytelling, and experiential elements.
Ensure that all creative output is not only compelling, but also executable within budget and aligned with profitability goals.
Provide hands-on input and feedback throughout the creative process,maintainingconsistency and quality across all touchpoints.
Balance creative ambition with operational feasibility, ensuring ideas can be delivered effectively without compromising margin.
Business Development & Revenue Growth
Identify, pursue, and close new business opportunitiesfrom both an existing portfolio of partners and through new leadgeneration.
Build andmaintaina robust pipeline of qualified prospects.
In partnership with AVP of Brand Experience, develop tailored proposals, presentations, and pitch strategies that align with clientobjectivesand agency capabilities.
Own the full sales lifecycle from prospecting through contractexecution in partnership with the Partnerships team.
Maintain active involvement in the details of every deal from concept through execution.
Collaborate closely with production, creative, and operations teams to ensure alignment on scope, timelines, and deliverables.
Proactivelyidentifyrisks, inefficiencies, or scope gaps and resolve them before theyimpactdelivery or profitability.
Financial Accountability & Margin Management
Partner with APV of Brand Experience to managefinancial performance across all projects, with a strict focus on achieving or exceeding a minimum profit margin.
Review and approve budgets, scopes of work, and cost structures to ensure financial viability.
Monitor project performance in real time, making necessary adjustments to protectmargin.
Ensure disciplinedscopemanagement and change order processes are followed.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Work collaboratively across departments to ensure seamless execution and consistent quality.
Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to client services and business development team members.
Contribute to agency-wide growth strategy and operational improvements.
Experience:
5+ years in business development, sales, or client services, with at least2-3years in a leadership or director-level role
Proventrack recordin the events, hospitality, or experiential marketing industry (corporate events, conferences, festivals, or venue management)
Demonstrated success generating new business and meeting/exceeding revenue targets
Experience managing full sales cycles — prospecting, pitching, contract negotiation, and closing
History of managing high-value client relationships and large-scale event budgets
Background working with sponsors, vendors, and cross-functional internal teams (production, culinary, design,logistics)
Experience creating and delivering pitch decks, proposals, and RFP responses
Strong strategic planning and market analysis skills —identifyingnew revenue streams and partnership opportunities
Excellent relationship-management and client retention skills
Sharp negotiation and closing abilities
Strong public speaking and presentation skills for pitches and client meetings
Financial acumen — budgeting, forecasting, P&L ownership
Proficiencywith CRM tools (Salesforce,etc.) and proposal/presentation software
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to manage multiple client accounts and events simultaneously under tight deadlines
Creative problem-solving and adaptability in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments
Leadership Qualities:
Strong teamleadership and mentorship capabilities
Ability to align business development strategy with overall company vision
Comfortable representing the brand externally at industry events, trade shows, and networking functions Entrepreneurial mindset with a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves approach
About the a21 Team:
Based in Miamiand New York City, a21 is a modern agency that specializes in Corporate Sponsorship Sales and Activation, Event Management, Strategic Marketing and Corporate Consulting. Our unique and creative approach with a results-driven framework makes us one of the top event marketing agencies inthe U.S. As part of ourteamyou will have access to benefits such as:
Competitive PTO plan
401k andMore!
a21providesequal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. a21complies withall applicable laws.

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