Experiential Marketing Manager

*This role is not a digital or social media position* Position Description The Experiential Marketing Manager reports to the Director of Marketing and serves as the primary client contact for assigned accounts. This role manages client relationships, strategic planning, and experiential program development end-to-end — from concept through execution — across a portfolio spanning automotive, healthcare, and public‑sector clients, with a focus on sponsorships and live activations. The ideal candidate is highly organized, client‑focused, and passionate about bringing brands to life through engaging consumer experiences. This position works closely with clients, internal teams, vendors, event properties, and community partners to deliver impactful programs that achieve client objectives while maintaining exceptional service and communication. Responsibilities Serve as a primary day‑to‑day contact for assigned client accounts, ensuring exceptional communication, responsiveness, and service. Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, venues, vendors, agencies, and internal stakeholders. Lead planning and execution of experiential marketing programs, sponsorship activations, consumer engagement initiatives, and special events. Manage multiple client accounts and projects simultaneously, balancing priorities, budgets, timelines, and deliverables. Develop strategic recommendations and activation concepts that align with client objectives and marketing goals. Create and manage project workbacks, event plans, budgets, staffing plans, and activation timelines. Coordinate sponsorship assets, experiential elements, branded environments, promotional materials, and event logistics. Manage the preparation, packing, transportation, setup, breakdown, and organization of event assets and equipment, ensuring all materials are event‑ready and maintained to company standards. Manage promotional merchandise and event asset inventory, including forecasting needs, coordinating production and fulfillment, and ensuring accurate, on‑time delivery for activations and client programs. Partner with creative, operations, and production teams to bring activation concepts to life. Manage event staffing, training, and on‑site execution to ensure a best‑in‑class consumer experience. Oversee event setup, activation management, troubleshooting, and post‑event breakdown as needed. Monitor program performance and provide strategic recommendations to improve future activations and client results. Prepare and deliver client presentations, status updates, event recaps, and performance reports. Manage program budgets, forecasting, invoicing, and reconciliation processes. Identify opportunities to enhance client programs, grow existing accounts, and support new business initiatives. Conduct post‑event evaluations and provide actionable insights and recommendations. Stay informed on client products, industry trends, sponsorship opportunities, and experiential marketing best practices. Contribute to internal planning meetings, client strategy sessions, and agency initiatives. Requirements Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Event Management, or related field. 3+ years of experience in client services, experiential marketing, sponsorship marketing, event marketing, or related fields. Experience managing client relationships and serving as a primary point of contact. Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple experiential programs simultaneously. Experience managing budgets, timelines, vendors, and event logistics. Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills. Ability to work independently while collaborating across multiple teams. Strong organizational, problem‑solving, and multitasking abilities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word). Ability to travel and support events, including occasional holidays, nights, and weekends. Able to lift 50 lbs. and willing to help with all aspects of event production. Must have a reliable mode of transportation; personal vehicle may be needed to transport equipment on occasion, and mileage will be reimbursed. Must have valid driver’s license and be able to pass driving background check. Estimated Event/Office Work Expectations (varies frequently based on event calendar) Event Field Work - approximately up to 10 event days per month as needed, large events required Office Work: approximately 40 hours per week (hours flexible based on project needs / time in field at events) There may be additional business‑related trips/events to assist with projects for Podium’s other clients. Compensation & Benefits - Starting Salary $65,000 - $75,000 Robust bonuses based on performance paid multiple times per year Health Care Coverage (Podium pays up to $500/month) Company-sponsored life insurance Partial cell phone reimbursement – $50 cell usage, 50% handset reimbursement with manager approval based on need 401K after 1 year (4% employer match) Paid Vacation/PTO accrues at start of employment 1 st year – 10 days 3 rd year – 16 days 5 th year – 21 days Quarterly Paid Mental Health Day , allowing employees to take the day off to recharge and focus on themselves Automotive Stipend - Podium reimburses $150/month for owning or leasing a recent (no older than 5 years) vehicle manufactured by our client. Vehicle will need to be utilized at times to transport event assets, premiums, and visit dealers. Mileage or fuel will be reimbursed when used for work purposes. Employee eligible for significant discounts on ski, snowboard, cycling, and outdoor gear/clothing Comp game tickets to select Denver professional sports teams Comp Day Policy Comp time earned for weekend and holiday (Podium observed) work Time off should not interfere with the performance of an employee’s regular obligations and must be taken within sixty (60) days of the time of eligibility. Compensation hours must be recorded and do not accumulate or roll over if not used. #J-18808-Ljbffr Podium Marketing