Executive Director, Events & Strategic Partnerships

Summary of Position:

The Executive Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships is responsible for leading and growing Newsday's events business as a commercial revenue platform. Reporting to the Chief Advertising Officer, this role owns the strategy, development, execution, and overall P&L for Newsday's portfolio of live, virtual, and hybrid events. The Executive Director is accountable for achieving sponsorship, partnership, ticketing, and overall event revenue goals while overseeing the full event lifecycle—from concept and commercialization through execution and post-event evaluation. Working cross-functionally, this leader will develop and execute a sponsorship-led commercial strategy that drives sponsorship revenue, ticketing revenue, deepens client relationships, expands audiences, and strengthens the Newsday brand, The Executive Director will lead and manage the events team, ensuring the successful execution of the organization's event portfolio while driving operational excellence and business growth.

The ideal candidate is a commercially driven sales and sponsorship executive with a proven track record of building and monetizing B2B events businesses. They bring expertise in strategic business development, sponsorship and partnership sales, and operational leadership, coupled with the ability to deliver exceptional event experiences that drive revenue growth, strengthen client relationships, and achieve measurable business results.

Essential Duties & Functions:

• Develop and execute a multi-year strategy to evaluate and grow Newsday's events business by optimizing the event portfolio for audience engagement and revenue growth.
• Establish and achieve revenue and expense targets with full responsibility for event P&L
• Drive sponsorship revenue by cultivating strategic partnerships with business and community leaders across various industries.
• Collaborate with internal and external cross-functional teams to develop customized sponsorship programs, experiential activations, branding, and lead generation initiatives that align with client objectives and budgets.
• Deliver exceptional and engaging attendee, sponsor and speaker experiences across all events
• Develop and manage timeline, budgets, vendor negotiations and contracts
• Oversee event programming, speaker recruitment, and moderator selection, coordinating with editorial and stakeholders to ensure editorial integrity.
• Manage event logistics, venues, and execution while driving marketing, audience targeting, and registrations to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery.

Essential Job Knowledge & Skills:

• 10+ years’ experience leading both live and virtual event strategies
• Proven track record of building and executing large scale complex events
• Background in media organizations preferred
• Proven experience owning a P&L with full accountability for revenue and expense management.
• Thrives in fast-paced environments with strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional service orientation with strong presentation and client-facing skills
• Experience developing and selling high-value sponsorship packages exceeding six figures.
• Deep experience managing sponsor, venue and production partners
• In-depth knowledge and familiarity of Long Island events landscape
• Must exhibit strong leadership abilities in leading and managing a multidisciplinary events team and collaborate across cross-functional teams
• Ability to interpret and utilize research to develop key audience programming and support sponsor goals
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible and varied schedule to support business needs.
• Must possess a drivers’ license in good standing and a reliable means of transportation to travel to off-site events, venues and meetings.
• Must be able to comply with the Company’s minimum of three days per week in office requirement, which may include being on location at events.

Measures of Success:

• Achieve annual sponsorship, ticketing and event revenue goals
• Grow event revenue & profitability year over year
• Expand strategic partnerships across Long Island
• Increase audience engagement and attendance
• Deliver exceptional sponsor satisfaction and retention

Compensation:

The base salary range for this position is $170,000 - $190,000, commensurate with experience. This position also includes revenue & profitability-based incentives tied to established targets and objectives.

Newsday Media Group is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants and incumbents are selected, placed, trained, compensated and promoted without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, or disability or other classifications protected by applicable law. In addition, Newsday Media Group provides a reasonable accommodation for applicants/incumbents with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources if you require a reasonable accommodation.