📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Director, Brand Experience
🔹 Company: Daniel J. Edelman Holdings
🔹 Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Advertising
🔹 Date Posted: April 21, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Overseeing experiential program development and activation
- Managing strategy, creative, production, and client relations
- Ensuring financial health and team utilization
- Collaborating cross-functionally and mentoring junior team members
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of experiential marketing, event planning, and client management. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in delivering innovative solutions and driving client value.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Client Leadership: Provide excellent account management, present ideas, offer creative solutions, and address challenges to drive agency value.
✅ Campaign Development: Develop dynamic and innovative experiential campaigns that deliver integrated and strategic approaches, involving multi-channel activation elements, and driving strong, quantifiable KPIs.
✅ Project Management: Accountable for fulfillment of all project deliverables, develop project plans, monitor budgets and timelines, and lead post-program reporting and budget reconciliation.
✅ Vendor Management: Identify, secure, and manage third-party vendors and production partners.
✅ Financial Management: Liaise with the finance department to update program cash flow, flag issues, and manage internal PO processes.
✅ Team Leadership: Lead internal and external communications, mentor junior team members, and foster a collaborative work environment.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, advertising, or a related field.
Experience: At least 7 years of relevant experience in event marketing, experiential marketing, or a related field.
Required Skills:
- Proven expertise in experiential marketing and event planning
- Strong account management skills and client leadership
- Excellent communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to develop and execute project plans and manage budgets
- Experience with vendor management and third-party partnerships
- Strong financial management skills and understanding of cash flow
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and mentor junior team members
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with integrated marketing campaigns and multi-channel activation
- Knowledge of the entertainment, sports, and lifestyle industries
- Fluency in Spanish (or other languages) for multicultural campaigns
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in agency environments and a strong understanding of brand building will be well-suited for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000 per year. Final compensation will be determined based on relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs.
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401K plan
- Life and disability insurance
- Paid time off
- Travel assistance
- Wellness programming
Working Hours: Full-time position with standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Overtime may be required as needed.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the Chicago area. The final compensation package may vary based on the factors listed above.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Public Relations and Communications
Company Size: 2-10 employees. Small companies offer close-knit teams and the opportunity to make a significant impact on the organization's success.
Founded: 1952. Edelman is one of the world's largest independent public relations firms, with a rich history and extensive global network.
Company Description:
- Edelman is a global communications firm that partners with businesses and organizations to build brands, reputations, and relationships through the creative use of earned, owned, shared, and paid media.
- Their expertise spans consumer marketing, corporate and financial communications, health communications, public affairs, technology, and brand marketing.
- Edelman's Chicago office specializes in entertainment, sports, and lifestyle marketing, offering a full suite of services, including celebrity and influencer programming, music-film-TV/digital-sports partnerships, communications, branded content, and experiential.
Company Specialties:
- Public Relations
- Marketing Communications
- Brand Marketing
- Experiential Marketing
- Entertainment Marketing
Company Website: edelman.com
ASSUMPTION: Edelman's Chicago office offers a dynamic and creative work environment, with a strong focus on pop culture and brand building in the entertainment, sports, and lifestyle spaces.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Director. This role is a senior-level position with significant responsibility for client management, campaign development, and team leadership.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Director, Brand Experience will report directly to the Managing Director of the Chicago office and work closely with cross-functional teams, including creative, production, and finance.
Work Arrangement: On-site. This role requires a presence in the Chicago office to collaborate with team members, clients, and vendors.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Vice President or Executive Vice President role, with increased responsibility and leadership opportunities.
- Expansion into other Edelman offices or global markets, as the firm offers extensive international reach.
- Development of specialized expertise in specific industries or service areas, such as entertainment, sports, or lifestyle marketing.
ASSUMPTION: Edelman's flat organizational structure and emphasis on employee development provide ample opportunities for growth and advancement within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Urban office setting in downtown Chicago, with a collaborative and creative work environment.
Office Location(s): 5900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90036, United States
Geographic Context:
- Chicago is a major hub for the entertainment, sports, and lifestyle industries, offering ample opportunities for networking and collaboration.
- The city's vibrant cultural scene and diverse neighborhoods provide a rich backdrop for experiential marketing campaigns.
- Chicago's central time zone and convenient airport make it an ideal location for coordinating national and international events.
Work Schedule: Standard business hours, Monday through Friday, with flexibility for evening and weekend events as needed.
ASSUMPTION: The Chicago office offers a dynamic and engaging work environment, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen to assess cultural fit and basic qualifications.
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and other team members to discuss the role, responsibilities, and expectations.
- Case study or presentation to demonstrate problem-solving skills and creative thinking.
- Final interview with senior leadership to discuss career growth and company culture.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Client management and communication skills
- Campaign development and strategic thinking
- Project management and organizational skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Edelman's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in experiential marketing, event planning, and client management.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the entertainment, sports, and lifestyle industries, and how your skills and experience align with the role's requirements.
- Prepare a case study or presentation that showcases your ability to develop and execute innovative experiential campaigns.
- Research Edelman's Chicago office and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience make you a strong fit for the company's culture and values.
ATS Keywords: Experiential Marketing, Event Planning, Client Management, Campaign Development, Project Management, Brand Building, Entertainment Marketing, Sports Marketing, Lifestyle Marketing, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Team Leadership
ASSUMPTION: Edelman's application process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit, with a focus on identifying strong communicators and creative problem solvers.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Design and presentation software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Keynote)
- Event planning and management software (e.g., Cvent, Eventbrite)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be proficient in using industry-standard tools and technologies to manage projects, create presentations, and plan events.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Quality
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Results-driven
Work Style:
- Creative and innovative
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and accountable
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate integrity in your professional relationships with clients and colleagues?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you collaborated with a cross-functional team to deliver exceptional results?
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and adapt your approach to reflect changing market conditions?
ASSUMPTION: Edelman values candidates who embody their core values and are able to thrive in a dynamic, collaborative, and results-driven work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and time management.
- Balancing client expectations with agency resources and budget constraints, necessitating strong communication and negotiation skills.
- Adapting to the fast-paced and ever-changing entertainment, sports, and lifestyle industries, requiring continuous learning and innovation.
- Working with diverse teams and stakeholders, demanding cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to navigate these challenges effectively, leveraging their skills, experience, and adaptability to succeed in this role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from related positions, such as Event Manager or Experiential Marketing Manager, in its focus on senior-level client management, campaign development, and team leadership.
- In the entertainment, sports, and lifestyle industries, this role may overlap with positions such as Marketing Director or Brand Manager, but offers a more specialized focus on experiential marketing.
- Career progression in this role may lead to positions such as Vice President or Executive Vice President, with increased responsibility and leadership opportunities.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider how their skills and experience align with the unique requirements of this role, as well as the opportunities for growth and development within Edelman's organization.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a multi-city experiential campaign to launch a new product for a major consumer brand.
- Managing a high-profile event for a celebrity client, including vendor coordination, on-site logistics, and post-event analysis.
- Creating and implementing a strategic plan to enhance the brand presence of a sports team at a major event, such as the Super Bowl or World Cup.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and challenges associated with the Senior Director, Brand Experience role at Edelman.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical client profile for this role and how the team supports their marketing objectives?
- How does the Chicago office collaborate with other Edelman offices and global teams to deliver integrated marketing solutions?
- What opportunities exist for professional development and growth within the Edelman organization?
- How does the company support work-life balance for employees in this role?
- Can you provide an example of a successful experiential campaign developed and executed by the Chicago office, and how the team measured its impact?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company, enabling them to make an informed decision about their application and potential fit with Edelman.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in experiential marketing, event planning, and client management.
- Prepare a case study or presentation that showcases your ability to develop and execute innovative experiential campaigns.
- Research Edelman's Chicago office and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience make you a strong fit for the company's culture and values.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
