Director, Hospitality

The purpose of this role is to manage the day-to-day planning and execution of corporate and client/prospect-facing events, industry conferences, trade shows, hosted roadshows/in person events and webinars. Responsibilities will include pre- and post-event communications and attendee management. Negotiate and execute contracts for both large and small-scale events.

Job Description:

We are looking for an experienced Director, Hospitality & Events to lead the strategy, planning, and delivery of premium guest programmes across some of the most prestigious sporting events in the world — including major football tournaments and club matches, elite motorsport events, and other high-profile international occasions.

In this senior leadership role, you will work directly with global brands across sectors such as technology, FMCG, and consumer goods to design and deliver world-class hospitality experiences. Your focus will be on strategic planning, operational oversight, and delivery excellence — ensuring every element of the guest journey is executed seamlessly and to the highest standard.

This role is ideal for a senior events professional who excels at managing complex programmes, thrives under pressure, and is passionate about creating premium, memorable experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership of Hospitality Delivery

• Define and oversee the end-to-end strategy for premium hospitality and guest programmes across major global sporting events.
• Lead the planning and delivery of complex event operations — from early-stage concept development and logistics planning to on-site execution.
• Work closely with global brand clients to understand their objectives and ensure hospitality experiences reflect their identity and values.
• Shape guest experience strategy across multiple touchpoints, ensuring every element — from ticketing and transport to on-site services — is considered and cohesive.

Event & Guest Operations

• Oversee the planning and delivery of guest services, including ticketing, registration, accreditation, accommodation, travel, transport, and on-site hospitality.
• Lead the design and implementation of premium VIP and executive-level experiences, ensuring seamless, high-touch service.
• Supervise the development and execution of hospitality spaces and guest environments, working closely with suppliers, venues, and production partners.
• Ensure guest communication plans and guest management systems are implemented effectively and deliver an exceptional user experience.

Supplier, Venue & Logistics Management

• Oversee the procurement and management of key delivery partners, including hotels, transport providers, staffing agencies, and event suppliers.
• Work with stadiums, circuits, and event venues to secure and deliver premium hospitality infrastructure.
• Lead site visits and readiness checks to ensure operational excellence and compliance with safety and quality standards.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage a small team of 1–2 junior specialists, providing guidance, support, and clear direction.
• Oversee their day-to-day delivery work and professional development, ensuring high standards and alignment with project goals.
• Foster collaboration across internal teams and ensure smooth coordination with client stakeholders and suppliers.

New Business Support

• Support senior leadership teams in developing and presenting competitive proposals for new hospitality and events opportunities.
• Contribute strategic thinking, operational insight, and creative solutions to RFP responses and pitch processes.
• Leverage industry knowledge, delivery expertise, and best practices to help secure new clients and grow existing accounts.

Budget & Project Oversight

• Lead budgeting processes for hospitality projects, including forecasting, financial tracking, and reconciliation.
• Ensure programmes are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality.
• Oversee all project documentation, including itineraries, operational plans, run-of-show schedules, and post-event reporting.

Onsite Leadership

• Act as the senior operational lead on site at key global events, overseeing guest operations, supplier delivery, and quality control.
• Resolve challenges quickly and effectively, ensuring that every guest interaction reflects a premium, world-class experience.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Significant experience in hospitality, guest experience, and large-scale event delivery, ideally in sports or live entertainment.
• Proven track record in delivering complex, multi-market hospitality programmes for global consumer brands.
•  Deep understanding of operational planning, logistics, ticketing, accommodation, and transport for major international events.
• Demonstrated ability to lead small teams and coordinate multiple stakeholders, suppliers, and delivery partners.
• Exceptional organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage concurrent workstreams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with confidence working directly with senior brand stakeholders.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience managing budgets and financial reconciliation.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, high-pressure environments with significant international travel.
• Previous agency experience is highly desirable, particularly in a client-facing or hospitality delivery capacity.
•  Proficiency in another language (in addition to English) is an advantage, reflecting the global nature of the role and client base.

About Dentsu

Dentsu is an integrated growth and transformation partner to the world's leading organizations. Founded in 1901 in Tokyo, Japan, and now present in over 145 countries and regions, it has a proven track record of nurturing and developing innovations, combining the talents of its global network of leadership brands to develop impactful and integrated growth solutions for clients. Dentsu delivers end-to-end experience transformation (EX) by integrating its services across Media, CXM and Creative, while its business transformation (BX) mindset pushes the boundaries of transformation and sustainable growth for brands, people and society.

MKTG Sports & Entertainment is an important part of our world-class offering. MKTG Sports & Entertainment is a global integrated agency that harnesses the power of sports and entertainment to impact human behaviour through meaningful marketing solutions and experiences. Our key differentiator is "knowing people better than anyone else" and using deep consumer insights to establish powerful connections between sports properties and brands.

Across strategy, measurement, content, hospitality and events, we connect the sports and entertainment industry and companies around the work to deliver meaningful marketing solutions and experiences that are truly differentiated. The experiences that we create engage customers, build memorable brands and deliver value.

We are part of Dentsu Sports International, a newly formed global sports network comprised of MKTG Sports + Entertainment, dentsu Sports Analytics and dentsu Sports.

Inclusion and Diversity

Our diverse and inclusive culture enables our employees to bring their whole selves to work and be proud of doing so. For us, this is the foundation for great innovation which, in turn, generates better outcomes for our people, partners and communities. This is why we encourage applications from people with disabilities, and of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds and cultures. 

We are happy to discuss flexible and agile approaches to working for all our roles – we can't promise we will be able to offer you everything you want or need but we do promise to discuss it with you openly and honestly. If you have any reasonable adjustment needs arising from a disability or medical condition to fully participate in the recruitment process, please discuss this with our recruitment teams. 

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Location:

London

Brand:

Mktg Sports

Time Type:

Full time

Contract Type:

Permanent

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