Marketing Events & Experiential Manager

This position is responsible for defining and driving a holistic plan for how the Nikon brand comes to life via in-person and virtual events and experiences focused on enhancing brand visibility and customer engagement. Lead the creation of a strategy, policy, and budget for national events and customer experiences (in-person and digital) across the organization to maximize impact of our brand, engagement and ROI. They will collaborate with internal teams and agency partners to create a variety of brand experiences including photo walks, educational workshops and panel events, smaller influencer events and large-scale brand experiences. The scope of the role includes managing site inspections, overseeing all aspects of program management, creating, and implementing customer experience and engagement tactics, defining, and implementing technology requirements, managing teams responsible for coordination and hotel management. The ideal Events Manager will balance creativity, execution, and analytical rigor, ideating and executing events and monitoring their performance along our event KPIs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Lead, in collaboration with Sr. Manager and experiential agency the US event strategy and implementation for all in person events, working to bring to life the brand’s vision
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to innovate, design and deliver impactful events/brand experiences that meet our objectives across various stakeholders
• Develop and implement an annual events strategy in alignment with the brand’s goals and marketing moments.
• Develops a comprehensive structure for prioritizing and managing events, including developing playbooks to ensure best practices are met and learnings are implemented.
• Collaborate with internal departments to develop understanding of overarching objectives and how each event supports the overall business.
• Drive the end-to-end event process from initial strategy to event ideation and execution.
• Full event production management including: vendors and venues, location services, run of show, audio, visual, builds, installations, food & beverage, stage running, staffing, call sheets, releases, and more
• Understands the attendee and customer journey and establishes and upholds a standard of excellence that extends to every event touchpoint, from initial meetings and status updates to recap reports and post event communications.
• Oversee event logistics, including registration and attendee tracking, presentation and materials support, pre- and post-event evaluations, and reporting
• Manage the selection and booking of technical and production requirements with external vendors
• Collaborates with in-house Creative Team on development of all event collateral and booth properties in person and digital. Works with the team to expand event experience into follow up or nurture campaign to drive growth.
• Work closely with the marketing and communications team to promote events, develop materials, and engage target audiences
• Act as central point of contact for documenting, tracking and reporting on performance for all company events including those hosted by Marketing, Communications, Sales and NPS
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of event strategies and initiatives, leveraging data and feedback to refine approaches and improve outcomes.
• Recommend new event marketing initiatives that best support brand marketing and product marketing goals.
• Stay up to date on experiential and event marketing industry trends and best practices.
• Stay up to date on competitor events strategy to ensure Nikon is staying relevant and providing event experiences that set our brand apart in the imaging industry
• Meticulously own, manage and optimize events budget delivering high-quality experiences within allocated resources
• Consider and propose appropriate opportunities to engage new audiences through the events program.
• Manage the onsite execution of the event
• Develop scaled frameworks to guide local/regional teams in executing standardized events in their local markets

Ancillary responsibilities:

• Complete and administer OKR’s and Employee Development Plans for direct report(s)
• All other duties as required or needed

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• MS Outlook
• 25% travel min.
• Knowledge of SAP not required but preferred
• Understands and can demonstrate fan-centric marketing and strategy execution
• Knowledge and understanding of online specific events and online presence of offline events
• Proven track record for setting vision for event and experiential marketing strategy that propels brand awareness, wins new customers, and creates deep advocacy
• Experience managing complex, high-profile events involving senior management and subject matter experts
• Successful track record of influencing and building consensus with cross-functional teams, stakeholders and partners
• Expert knowledge of event and marketing strategies (online, in-person and hybrid), tactics, best practices and emerging practices
• Proven ability to prioritize effectively while managing multiple competing operational priorities
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including ability to present and effectively interact with all levels including executive leadership.
• Adept at managing multiple competing priorities and duties in a fast paced, outcome-driven organization
• Excellent negotiation and quantitative skills
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Strong team leadership, collaboration and agility skills

EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• 6+ years events and experiential marketing management experience encompassing planning, organizing, and executing a portfolio of successful events and experiences of various scales, with a strong understanding of event logistics, production, and cross-functional coordination.
• B.A. preferred, but not required

Nikon Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to successfully perform the essential function of the position.