Associate Director, Talent & Programming

Job Summary The Associate Director of Talent & Programming oversees talent sourcing, logistics management, and programming development for large-scale culinary and wine events. This role is responsible for curating high-quality programming while ensuring seamless execution of cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, and talent-driven experiences. Working closely with editorial, event, public relations, and cross-functional teams, this position shapes event schedules, manages talent relationships from outreach through on-site execution, and leads a small team to deliver exceptional programming. This is a hybrid role with in-office and remote flexibility. Key Responsibilities Talent Sourcing Lead talent sourcing efforts across chefs, winemakers, beverage professionals, and culinary personalities Identify, prioritize, and secure high-profile talent aligned with programming goals Maintain strong relationships with talent, agents, publicists, and industry partners Support editorial-driven talent initiatives and outreach efforts Programming Development & Curation Collaborate with editorial teams to develop and curate event programming schedules Assess programming needs, event flow, and capacity requirements Ensure programming is diverse, innovative, and aligned with brand standards Talent & Programming Logistics Oversee production and execution of seminars and demonstrations Manage talent logistics including scheduling, travel coordination, and on-site support Partner with production and operations teams to ensure seamless event execution Serve as primary point of contact for talent during planning and on-site activities Ensure exceptional hospitality and talent preparedness Team Leadership & Collaboration Manage and mentor direct reports, providing guidance and development opportunities Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Editorial, PR, Operations, Production, Sponsorship, and Marketing Oversee talent-related budgets including forecasting, expense tracking, and reconciliation Support sponsorship execution as needed Ensure clear communication across teams to facilitate smooth execution Qualifications Education: Bachelors degree preferred in marketing, communications, or a related field; equivalent experience considered Experience: 7+ years of experience in talent management, event programming, editorial programming, or live event production Experience working with high-profile or celebrity talent preferred Prior people management experience required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Strong understanding of culinary, wine, and beverage industries, including emerging trends Proven ability to manage complex logistics and multiple stakeholders Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail Strong interpersonal and communication skills Ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure live event environments Flexibility to work non-traditional hours during peak planning and event execution periods