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
HKS is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and committed to a policy of non-discrimination in all employment practices including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, advancement, compensation, and termination. HKS’ policies, including its Affirmative Action Programs, are designed to not only ensure legal compliance with state and federal anti-discrimination and retaliation laws, but to carry out the principles of equal employment opportunities in all job categories. Deliberate and conscious effort is made to make employment decisions that are consistent with these equal employment opportunity principles. HKS will recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status or disability; and ensure that all employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements. Employees and applicants will not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination for filing a complaint, assisting or participating in an investigation, compliance evaluation or hearing, opposing and/or exercising any other right made unlawful by Executive Order 11246, Sections 503 and 38 USC 4212, as amended, or their implementing regulations, or any other Federal, State or local laws requiring equal opportunity.
