Freelance Program Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Account Director

About Coffee 'n Clothes:

Coffee 'n Clothes (CNC) is an experiential agency that blends culture, creativity, and commerce to create unforgettable brand experiences. We specialize in immersive activations, pop-ups, and brand storytelling that drive engagement and impact. Our clients range from global brands to emerging disruptors, and we pride ourselves on pushing boundaries and delivering premium, high-energy experiences.

In a Nutshell: You turn big ideas into unforgettable experiences-leading clients and internal teams, crafting killer strategies, and making magic happen every step of the way!

What You'll Do

Client Strategy & Growth

• Become our clients' trusted and respected go-to person, from the early stages of discussing possible projects, through development and delivery, to analyzing their success.

• Shape experiential strategies that engage, inspire, and deliver measurable impact.

• Pitch fresh, innovative marketing ideas that set CNC apart.

• Lead key accounts, ensuring top-notch service and strategic growth.

• Identify organic growth opportunities and drive retention.

• Draft and manage against comprehensive scopes of work. Raise questions or ask for additional investment when relevant. 

Project Leadership & Execution

• Oversee multiple large-scale accounts and activations with precision.

• Clearly communicate project goals and timelines to internal teams-aligning creative, production, and execution to always deliver on-brief, on budget and on-time. 

• Create standout presentations that captivate clients, tell compelling stories, and make approvals a breeze. Your work is clear, engaging, and effortlessly communicates the strategy, creative vision, and the impact it will deliver.

• Monitor event performance by creating and discussing KPI's in the pre-pro process, optimize in real-time, and analyze post-event impact to win repeat business and assess for process optimizations.

• Take responsibility for the financial performance of the projects with regard to budget recommendations, identifying gaps in budget and prioritizing using the project team efficiently to achieve program goals.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and inspire Account Managers and Coordinators.

• Guide and support freelance staff in mastering CNC's processes, ensuring seamless execution that aligns with our standards. Leverage deep expertise in organizational dynamics, change management, and process optimization to drive efficiency and excellence.

• Foster a team culture of creativity, accountability, and excellence-where fresh perspectives are welcomed, but strategic focus remains anchored to the client brief as the ultimate guide.

• Stay ahead of industry trends and bring new ideas to the table.

• Work cross-functionally with Creative, Production, and Strategy teams to push boundaries, educating them on client needs and perspectives, while supporting each department in executing their vision. 

Hard Skills

• Client & Account Management - Experience handling high-profile brands & six-figure to multi-million-dollar accounts. You have a love of working with clients to help them achieve their goals. You understand their ambitions and the organizational constraints they work under, and give them confidence to see what's possible.

• Experiential Marketing Mastery - Expertise in activations, pop-ups, and live events ranging from B2C to B2B, you can work with any brief.

• Strategic Thinker - Ability to craft and execute marketing strategies that drive business goals, taking what the seller has provided, the client brief, and CNC business goals all into equal consideration. 

• Budget & Financial Oversight - Sharp financial instincts with a deep understanding of event costs and budget planning. You expertly manage margins, collaborate with production to bring experiences to life within budget, and know exactly when to upsell-always ensuring smart spending with client approval.

• Creative Development - Experience working with creative directors, designers, copywriters, and to bring concepts to life. You can contribute meaningfully to creative strategy but also know how to give creative information and space to execute on brief. 

• Event Compliance Knowledge - Understanding of permits, regulations, and safety requirements in tandem with production to help educate clients on the nuances of experiential. 

Soft Skills

• Leadership & Team Management - You're an inspiring leader who uplifts and empowers your team. You know how to build interpersonal relationships while simultaneously building respect amongst the team you lead. 

• Strong Communicator - Whether pitching clients or rallying internal teams, you articulate ideas clearly and ensure every meeting, email and Slack is left with a clear path forward. 

• Problem-Solver & Adaptable - Cool under pressure, quick to adjust when the unexpected happens. You know how to evaluate problems and how to solve them with ease. 

• Relationship-Builder - You know how to earn trust and foster long-term partnerships to yield tangible impact to the business. You know how to get the job done with all client personality types and titles.

• Master Multitasker - Juggling multiple projects? No sweat-you have project management systems in place to juggle different timelines with different needs. Detailed oriented and spot obstacles from miles away. 

• Big-Picture Thinker - You understand both client goals and internal dynamics, always strategizing for success. Go with the flow...postively. Be prepped for curves, twists, contingencies and plan A/B/C. Dig in to stay optimistic for yourself, your team and your clients - even when challenges arise. Learn how to roll with the punches while staying optimistic. See the opportunities in those challenging situations. The vibe starts with you.

• Manage up. Learn how to keep your manager, leadership and team members informed as you move through your day. Know when to escalate things and ask for help. Know what information to share.

• Do everything with Hospitality. Being generous and assume positive intent. Problem solve intentionally and in a timely manner. Be able to separate the work from your identity to make sure you can keep going. We're in the service industry - let that be your reputation.