Director, Experience & Events

Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

The Cincinnati Regional Chamber is the premier business and civic organization dedicated to growing the vibrancy and economic prosperity of the Cincinnati region. To achieve its vision that Cincinnati is a growing, thriving region where everyone belongs, the Chamber seeks to grow our economy, grow our population, and grow our cultural vibrancy -- with the foundation of a strong business community -- to foster a welcoming environment for all. The Chamber’s membership offerings, signature leadership programs, government and regional advocacy efforts, community events such as BLINK and Oktoberfest as well as key partnerships with organizations like Cincinnati Experience, Cincinnati Compass, Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator, and the Workforce Innovation Center lead the way in making that vision a reality. For more information, visit cincinnatichamber.com. The Director, Experience & Events serves as the lead project manager and strategic organizer for the Cincinnati Chamber’s portfolio of major public events, including Asian Food Fest, Taste of Cincinnati, and Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. This role oversees the full project lifecycle – from concept through planning, production, and post-event evaluation – ensuring clear communication, efficient workflows, and consistent delivery across all festivals. The Director manages timelines, budgets, documentation, and cross-departmental coordination to keep projects on track and aligned with organizational goals. This role requires strong project management discipline, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to lead large teams through complex, deadline-driven projects. The Director may also support special initiatives such as BLINK® and other Chamber events.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in project management, event management, business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
7+ years of experience managing complex, large-scale projects – preferably in event or festival environments.
Demonstrated success leading multiple concurrent projects with clear systems for tracking and reporting.
Proven experience supervising staff or cross-functional project teams.
Strong understanding of event logistics, permitting and vendor management.
Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Asana, Airtable, Smartsheet, or Trello)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Willingness to work evenings and weekends during festival periods.

Nice To Haves

Formal project management training or certification (PMP, CAPM, or equivalent experience) strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Project Management & Planning Serve as the primary project manager across all Chamber festivals.
Develop and maintain comprehensive project timelines, task lists, and production schedules.
Facilitate weekly and milestone check-ins to ensure progress and alignment across teams.
Track deliverables, deadlines, and dependencies across multiple departments and vendors.
Establish and maintain clear documentation standards for contracts, permits, and vendor information.
Lead pre-event planning sessions and post-event debriefs focused on measurable improvement.
Leadership & Team Oversight Supervise and support two Senior Event Producers, providing guidance on project planning, logistics, and stakeholder communication.
Ensure consistent processes, templates, and tracking tools are used across all festivals.
Promote accountability and clarity through clear task ownership and progress tracking.
Foster collaboration, communication, and problem-solving across internal and external teams.
Operational Coordination Oversee site logistics, infrastructure planning, and production schedules with the operations team.
Coordinate directly with city departments (Police, Fire, Public Services, Health) for permits and public safety.
Manage vendor relationships, ensuring deliverables are met and documentation is complete.
Provide onsite leadership during festivals, ensuring operational plans are executed effectively and safely.
Stakeholder & Sponsor Integration Collaborate with the Sponsorship, Marketing, and Community Engagement teams to ensure timely deliverables and event readiness.
Maintain strong relationships with city officials, community groups, and vendors to ensure smooth execution.
Support sponsor activation logistics and reporting.
Budgeting & Evaluation Manage festival budgets and expenses in partnership with the Vice President and Finance team.
Track costs, invoices, and contracts to maintain accuracy and accountability.
Collect and analyze post-event data, budgets, and feedback to inform future planning.