Event Director – Shoptalk Fall

Reports to: President, Connected Commerce Location: United States (New York or Miami hybrid or remote USA) Job Status: Full-Time, Permanent ABOUT THE ROLE We are seeking an exceptional Event Director to lead the strategy, growth, production, and execution of Shoptalk Fall, our groundbreaking Nashville-based show that brings together the Shoptalk community into an intimate, innovative event where retail decisions are made for the next year. This is a high-impact leadership role with full responsibility for the event’s commercial performance, customer experience, and long-term growth strategy. The Event Director will oversee all aspects of this 3,000+-person event, including sponsorship and exhibition revenue, hosted retailer recruitment, delegate attendance, content strategy, partnerships, operations, and product development. Working closely with senior leaders across sales, marketing, operations, content, hosted programs, and customer success, this person will drive alignment across teams while continually evolving Shoptalk Fall to meet the changing needs of the B2C and B2B commerce ecosystems. The ideal candidate combines strong commercial acumen with outstanding project leadership, customer obsession, and a passion for building market-leading event brands. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership & Event Ownership • Own the overall vision, strategy, and delivery of Shoptalk Fall. • Develop annual growth plans aligned with revenue, attendance, customer satisfaction, and profitability objectives. • Lead cross-functional planning and execution, ensuring all teams operate against shared priorities and milestones. • Drive continuous improvement across every aspect of the customer experience. • Serve as the internal champion and external ambassador for the Shoptalk Fall brand. Commercial Performance • Own event revenue and profitability targets. • Partner with sales leadership to maximize sponsorship, exhibition, hosted retailer, and delegate revenue. • Review sales pipelines, forecasting, conversion metrics, and inventory utilization. • Support the sale of strategic, high-value sponsorship opportunities with leading technology, media, retail media, data, and service providers. • Develop new revenue streams, products, sponsorship formats, and commercial partnerships. • Monitor market trends and competitor activity to identify growth opportunities. Product Development & Customer Experience • Continuously evolve the Shoptalk Fall proposition to ensure it remains the industry’s most valuable gathering place in the fall for retail innovation. • Identify opportunities for new content formats, networking experiences, hosted programs, retail engagement initiatives, and attendee services. • Utilize customer feedback, market research, and industry trends to inform product decisions. • Ensure Shoptalk Fall consistently delivers exceptional value to retailers, brands, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees. Hosted Retailer & Industry Engagement • Work closely with the hosted retailer team to drive recruitment and retention of senior retail executives. • Develop relationships with leading brands and retailers, marketplaces, retail technology companies, and emerging commerce businesses. • Support the expansion of strategic retailer and industry participation across North America and internationally. • Maintain a deep understanding of retail industry priorities, challenges, and innovation trends. Industry Partnerships & Business Development • Build and maintain relationships with key industry associations, trade groups, research organizations, media partners, and influential industry leaders. • Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships that strengthen Shoptalk Fall’s market position and accelerate growth. • Represent Shoptalk Fall at industry events and meetings throughout the year. Financial & P&L Management • Own the Shoptalk Fall P&L and financial performance. • Develop accurate revenue forecasts and budget plans. • Monitor costs, margins, and resource allocation throughout the event lifecycle. • Partner with finance and operational teams to optimize profitability while maintaining a best-in-class customer experience. • Report regularly on commercial performance, forecasts, and growth opportunities. Team Leadership • Lead and inspire cross-functional teams across sales, marketing, content, operations, hosted programs, and customer success. • Foster a high-performance, collaborative, and customer-focused culture. • Provide coaching, direction, and support to managers and team members. • Drive accountability, clear communication, and continuous improvement across the event team. ABOUT YOU Experience • 5+ years of experience leading large-scale events, complex commercial projects, or major initiatives within high-growth B2B businesses. • 5+ years of people leadership experience managing cross-functional teams. • Demonstrated experience owning significant revenue and profit targets. • Strong experience managing budgets, forecasting, and commercial performance. • Experience within events, media, retail, consumer goods, technology, or adjacent sectors is highly desirable. • Ability to work from our midtown Manhattan office three days a week (Tues-Thurs). Knowledge & Skills • An understanding of the North American retail and commerce ecosystem strongly preferred but not required. • Exceptional project management and organizational skills. • Strong commercial instincts with a track record of identifying and executing growth opportunities. • Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities. • Data-driven decision-maker with sharp analytical skills. • Outstanding communication and presentation skills. • Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and highly collaborative environment. Personal Attributes • Customer-obsessed and market-focused. • Entrepreneurial, proactive, and highly accountable. • Innovative thinker who challenges convention and drives change. • Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable managing ambiguity. • Collaborative leader who motivates teams around ambitious goals. • Passionate about building industry-leading products and experiences. WHY JOIN US Shoptalk Fall provides a new and unique experience to the global retail community. Moving to its new home of Nashville in 2026, Shoptalk Fall provides an opportunity for the entire retail community to assemble for intimate, thought-provoking sessions, one-on-one meetings, and innovative experiences—all while enjoying everything this world-renowned city has to offer. As Event Director, you will have the opportunity to lead an important brand, influence industry conversations, and drive significant commercial growth while working alongside a world-class team. Benefits: Competitive base salary of 150,000 - 180,000 USD and a performance bonus Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with company match Flexible hybrid working model Generous paid time off Paid volunteer day Learning and development opportunities Career progression across Hyve's global portfolio Employee Assistance Program Collaborative, entrepreneurial, and high-performing culture