Senior Manager - Special Events

The Team:

The Communications department is responsible for strategic deployment of Press & Influencer Relations, Special Events and Advertising across all media channels to support the growth of awareness for Hermès in the US. Our mission is to share the rich story of Hermès, highlighting the value of creativity, commitment to quality and signature craftmanship model.

The Opportunity:

As the Senior Manager of Special Events, you will be responsible for producing and budgeting medium to large scale event activity, including institutional communication events, new store openings, brand heritage events, exhibitions, retail animations, press events, client engagement events and flagship programming. You will work closely with the Director of Special Events to ensure all your delegated event activity is carried out in adherence to business goals and objectives, strategic initiatives, and Hermès quality standards.

You will be responsible for managing and mentoring the Special Events Manager and Special Events Coordinator on their delegated projects, and you will be required to develop and maintain relations with the Hermès International office, regional store directors, freelance support, production agencies and other third-party vendors. Extensive production experience, detailed budget control, adherence to all internal audit requirements, managerial experience and close collaboration with internal communication team members are all essential to the role.

About the Role:

• Work closely with the Director on all delegated events and managerial responsibilities. Review event activation plans, budget status, and general event progress updates with the Director on a regular basis. Give regular updates on supervisee progress and event status.
• Independently plan, produce, and execute all delegated image events, store openings, regional events and press events from start to finish, including, but not limited to:
  • Work closely with the Hermes International Office on event concepts and strategies. Actively communicate event updates on a regular basis for all delegated events, and ensure required approvals are received in a timely manner.
  • Collaborate with Press and Media teams to execute 360-degree activation strategies for all special event activity.
  • Handle and oversee all aspects of event production, coordination, logistics and external vendor management.
  • Manage all scenic aspects by reviewing floorplans, build drawings, fabrication samples, renderings, etc.
  • Handle all on-site event execution, coordination, and external vendor support (includes travel).
  • Identify appropriate third-party vendors and negotiate vendor proposals (i.e. caterers, lighting, sound, décor, etc.) and act as a regional vendor expert.
  • Carefully manage event financials in adherence to the designated budget and submit timely payments.
  • Manage event invitation production from design stage to deployment for all delegated events
  • Develop guest list strategy with CRM team and boutiques to ensure a successful event
  • Work with Press team to procure press and influence guest lists when needed.
  • Scout venues in markets as needed and prepare venue overviews
  • Create detailed production schedules and run of shows for delegated events
  • Create detailed logistics charts and timelines for inventory movements for delegated events
  • Prepare post-event recaps and reports
  • Maintain relationships with store directors, the retail and VM departments and other internal departments to successfully coordinate all event needs
  • Travel to delegated events as required and continue to manage workload while traveling
  • Adhere to all internal audit requirements for events and work with legal department to develop, manage and execute vendor contracts and insurance certificates.
• Manage and supervise Special Events Manager and Special Events Coordinator on all delegated events to ensure seamless production, activation of event guidelines, and adherence to budget and quality standards.
• Act as mentor to Manager and Coordinator by communicating expectations and objectives and giving regular feedback on performance. Support their professional growth and development and write and deliver performance reviews.
• Brainstorm, strategize and propose new event concepts and plans when needed.
• Research new vendors in all markets and stay up to date on industry players and trends.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• YES - Delegates and oversees tasks of Special Event Manager and Special Event Coordinator as well as Freelancers, Production agencies and vendors.

Budget Responsibility:

• YES - Responsible for keeping accurate and up-to-date reports on event spending for individual delegated events, as well as Manager and Coordinator event activity.

Decision Making Responsibility:

• Yes - Responsible for making decisions on details for all delegated events in collaboration with Director.

About You:

• 6+ direct event production experience in fashion or similar industry
• At least 1 year experience managing a team of people
• Expert knowledge of principal event production skills including logistics management
• Exceptional project management, prioritization and planning skills, including ability to manage several initiatives/events at once
• Extensive organizational experience with precise attention to detail
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to establish and nurture close relationships with all partners, and practice routine follow up
• Must be able to effectively manage a team to achieve the required departmental goals
• Proficiency in team leadership and motivation
• Highly skilled in problem solving, decision making and critical thinking
• Anticipate potential issues and resolution of conflicts and problems during event execution
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and work under tight deadlines and pressure
• Must possess a strong work ethic, and be an enthusiastic team player
• Highly self-motivated and eager to learn
• Ability to manage budgets, and effectively track, monitor and manage expenditures against budget
• Proficient negotiating skills
• Flexibility in high-stress situations
• Excellent collaboration skills
• Must be willing to travel frequently and work nights/weekends
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

The range for this position is $112,925.08 - $133,456.92. annually. Actual rates are determined based on the job, location, and individual experience.

We are looking for a candidate that has a combination of the above attributes and can perform the key functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodations.

Company Overview:

Since 1837, Hermès has remained faithful to its artisan business model and humanist values. We place people at the heart of what we do and aspire to make a positive impact on the world. The freedom to create, the constant search for beautiful materials, the transmission of a savoir-faire of excellence and the aesthetic of functionality define the singularity of Hermès, a house dedicated to making highly crafted, beautiful objects made to stand the test of time.

An independent, family-owned company, Hermès is dedicated to keeping production in France through its 42 workshops, The Hermès organization is also a truly global community with a network of 310 stores in 49 countries. Hermès employs more than 15,000 people worldwide with over 6,000 of the workforce being Hermès craftspeople engaged in making artisanal products, nurturing a 180+ year tradition of creativity and innovation.

At Hermès, our actions for sustainable development and corporate social responsibility are founded in values passed down by generations of humble artisans who have shaped the story of our house and the integrity of our objects. The roots of Hermès' success and longevity lie in a sense of responsibility; a quest for authenticity and respect for time and preservation of natural resources. All at Hermès wish to leave a positive footprint on the world, a mission that's at the heart of our commitment to progress. This narrative can be experienced in a series of shorts films "Footsteps Across the World" available on our website. Link here.

Our Commitment:

Family is at the heart of Hermès. At Hermès of Paris, we are committed to being a Maison for All, a home where we make efforts to generate, support and advance the values of diversity, inclusion and family both within our own walls and in the wider world. At Hermès of Paris we look to create a diverse workforce of talented and unique individuals with different backgrounds, skillsets and worldviews that will enrich our Hermès of Paris family. We support our individual team members personal and professional success through a culture that values equality, individuality and fairness and through an environment where individuals can thrive and feel comfortable being their authentic selves. Beyond the walls of our Maison, we advance our DIF values through the work that we do in partnership with our community and non-profit partners.

At Hermès of Paris, we are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. It is the policy of Hermès of Paris, Inc. that applicants for employment are recruited, selected, and hired on the basis of individual merit and ability with respect to positions being filled and potential for promotion or transfer which may be expected to develop. Applicants are recruited, selected and hired without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, citizenship, military or veteran status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. In addition, personnel procedures and practices with regard to training, promotion, transfer, compensation, demotion, lay off or termination are to be administered with due regard to job performance, experience and qualifications, but without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, citizenship, military or veteran status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hermès of Paris, Inc. also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with applicable laws.

We collect personal information (PI) from you in connection with your application for employment with Hermes, including the following categories of PI: identifiers, personal records, commercial information, professional or employment information, non-public education records, and inferences drawn from your PI. We collect your PI for our purposes, including performing services and operations related to your potential employment. For additional details or if you have questions, contact us at [email protected]. Please do not submit resumes or applications to this email address." Créateur, artisan et marchand d'objets de haute qualité, Hermès est, depuis 1837, une maison française, familiale et indépendante qui emploie près de 25 185 collaborateurs dans le monde. Animé par un esprit d'entreprendre continu et une exigence constante, Hermès cultive la liberté et l'autonomie de chacun grâce à un management responsable. L'entreprise perpétue la transmission de savoir-faire d'exception par un ancrage territorial fort dans le respect des hommes et de la nature - source de matières d'exception. Seize métiers artisanaux irriguent la créativité de la maison dont les collections rayonnent dans près 300 magasins dans le monde. "