ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Director Special Events Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Woodruff Arts Center

$45K/yr

Director of Special Events FLSA: United States of America (Exempt) Employment Status : Regular/Full time About the High The High brings art, ideas, and people together to amplify the importance of ...

The Chapin School

Director of Special Events

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

The Director of Special Events is an essential member of the Advancement leadership team and is the senior staff member responsible for all events related to the Advancement Office and various Chapin ...

The Chapin School

Director of Special Events

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

The Director of Special Events is an essential member of the Advancement leadership team and is the senior staff member responsible for all events related to the Advancement Office and various Chapin ...

Vineyard Vines

Manager, Special Events

Stamford, CT · On-site

Reporting to the Director, Special Events, you will oversee end-to-end event management across consumer activations, retail events, influencer experiences, wholesale events, executive engagements ...

Vineyard Vines

Manager, Special Events

Stamford, CT

Reporting to the Director, Special Events, you will oversee end-to-end event management across consumer activations, retail events, influencer experiences, wholesale events, executive engagements ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsSpecial Events JobsDirector Special Events Jobs

Director Special Events information

See salary details

$32.5K

$78.2K

$140K

How much do director special events jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for director special events in the United States is $78,224.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,000.00 and $92,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director special events?

To thrive as a Director of Special Events, you need expertise in event planning, budgeting, project management, and a bachelor's degree in hospitality, marketing, or a related field. Familiarity with event management software, registration platforms, and often certifications like CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) are typically required. Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you manage teams, clients, and logistics under pressure. These abilities ensure seamless, impactful events that meet organizational goals and client expectations.

What does a director of special events do?

A director of special events plans, coordinates, and oversees events such as conferences, fundraisers, and celebrations to ensure they run smoothly and meet organizational goals. They manage budgets, coordinate with vendors and staff, and handle logistics, often requiring strong organizational and leadership skills. The role may also involve marketing and post-event evaluation.

What is the difference between Director Special Events vs Event Coordinator?

AspectDirector Special EventsEvent Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire event planning process, manages teams, and sets strategic goalsAssists with planning, logistics, and on-site coordination
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in hospitality, marketing, or related field; experience in event managementOften requires a relevant associate or bachelor’s degree; entry-level experience acceptable
Work EnvironmentCorporate offices, event venues, and outdoor locationsEvent sites, venues, and client locations

The main difference is that the Director Special Events holds a leadership role with strategic oversight and team management, while the Event Coordinator focuses on executing event details and logistics. The Director typically has more experience and higher credentials, overseeing multiple events, whereas the Event Coordinator supports the planning process at a more operational level.

What are some common challenges faced by a director special events, and how can they be effectively managed?

A Director of Special Events often faces the challenge of coordinating multiple stakeholders, managing tight deadlines, and adapting to last-minute changes. Balancing creative vision with budget constraints and logistical feasibility is also common. Success in this role typically depends on strong communication skills, meticulous planning, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Building a reliable team and establishing clear processes for contingency planning can greatly help in managing these challenges.

What are the responsibilities of a special events director?

The responsibilities of a special events director include developing a strategic plan for a business’ events and generating new sales when relevant. In this career, you plan, organize, and execute all aspects of each event, provide daily support to the event team, including set-up and logistics, book each venue, manage event staff, and coordinate with other departments to ensure a successful event execution. You are expected to provide excellent customer service to clients and new external relationships. You maintain a schedule of yearly events, manage the budget for each, answer vendor questions promptly, sell tickets, and complete other duties related to events as required.

More about Director Special Events jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Special Events jobs? Cities with the most Director Special Events job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Special Events jobs? The most popular types of Special Events jobs are:
What states have the most Director Special Events jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Special Events jobs include:
Director Special Events jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Special Events job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,224 per year, or $37.6 per hour.

Director, Special Events & Talent Relations

The Walt Disney Company

Burbank, CA • On-site

$168K - $236K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New

Walt Disney Company rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 128 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 51 rated entertainment

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Director, Special Events & Talent Relations

Req ID:

10157424

Job Description:

The Director, Special Events & Talent Relations leads the strategy, planning, and execution of high-impact studio events, marketing activations, festivals, gifting programs, and talent-facing experiences in support of Searchlight's theatrical releases, awards campaigns, and broader brand priorities. This role partners closely across marketing, publicity, creative, field, senior leadership, external vendors, talent, and stakeholders to ensure events are strategically aligned, creatively executed, operationally sound, and reflective of the Searchlight brand identity.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop and execute event strategies that support marketing and awards campaigns across Searchlight's theatrical releases

  • Oversee event planning and execution, ensuring alignment with campaign goals and brand identity

  • Oversee development & execution of all marketing activations including pop-ups, brand events and licensed events

  • Lead collaboration across marketing, publicity, creative, and field teams to ensure alignment of event strategy with broader campaign goals

  • Own the strategic planning and allocation of event budgets, ensuring cost-effective execution while maintaining high production value

  • Lead the creative development of events and clearly communicate vision to external vendors

  • Oversee selection, hiring & management of third-party production vendors

  • Serve as a key advisor to the Vice President and senior leadership on event strategy, talent relations, and brand activations.

  • Establish event metrics, evaluate effectiveness, and conduct post-event analysis to inform future planning and improve impact.

  • Oversee staffing for all studio events including internal assignments and agency supplementation

  • Lead the studio gifting program strategy, including general talent and filmmaker gifting as well as managing promotional item and mailer deliveries to talent and stakeholders around theatrical releases

  • Strategically curate guest lists for all studio events, including celebrities, influencers, and press, ensuring alignment with campaign goals and stakeholder engagement strategies

  • Work with Director, Field Publicity on integrating cohesive creative across field activations and junket setups based on national event design and direction

  • Partner with the Director, Field Publicity to lead studio presence at festivals, overseeing ticketing, creative execution, print traffic, executive coordination, and talent engagement

  • Lead capacity planning for all Searchlight events, ensuring deep venue knowledge and strategic ticket allocation across stakeholder groups, including senior executives and talent.

  • Using deep knowledge of entertainment industry relationships and politics, develop & implement seating charts (often complex) for all studio events, by venue; proactively escalate potential issues to senior leadership

  • Oversee Events & Talent Relations Specialist

  • Oversee security plans for all studio events and all talent appearances.

Qualifications & Experience:

  • BA/BS Degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or equivalent work experience.

  • 10+ years of experience in event production or marketing within film, entertainment, or related industries.

  • Experience working within a studio or entertainment brand preferred.

  • Strong relationship management and communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and persuasively.

  • Skilled in project management and able to manage multiple events and timelines simultaneously.

  • Highly organized, adaptable, and responsive to shifting priorities and partner needs.

  • Comfortable presenting to and collaborating with stakeholders at all levels, both internal and external.

Job Posting Statement
The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $168,400.00-$236,600.00. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Job Posting Segment:

Searchlight Marketing

Job Posting Primary Business:

Searchlight - Publicity/Promotions/Events

Primary Job Posting Category:

Events Planning & Management - Studios

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Burbank, CA, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

USA - NY - 7 Hudson Square

Date Posted:

2026-08-07

What Walt Disney Company employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Walt Disney logo

About Walt Disney

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Disney, we're storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world. "We create happiness." That's our motto at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. And it permeates everything we do. At Disney, you'll help inspire that magic by enabling our teams to push the limits of entertainment and create the never-before-seen!

Industry

Amusement, gambling, and recreation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Burbank, CA, US

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All Walt Disney Jobs

Apply