VP Strategy

About Us

Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry's largest network of experts, Freeman's insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 96-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter.

Summary

The VP of Strategy leads a team spread across numerous key accounts and guides them in delivering high impact, integrated marketing programs to our clients. In addition, we are a working strategy group, so the VP also leads strategy efforts on selecting assigned accounts and participates in new business opportunities. Lastly, the VP of Strategy works with the Strategy SVP's as well as other VPs to shape the practices, solutions, and overall department business and financial success , with a specific eye on creativity, consistency, and scalability.

This position will support our Strategy team, focusing on the Corporate Events sector. It is eligible to work a hybrid schedule, generally requiring work in-office and/or show-site 2-3 days per week. The ideal candidate will be based out of Dallas, TX or Chicago, IL.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, mentor, and lead a team of Directors and mid-level strategists.
• Develop, mentor and grow strategy members of the team.
• Infuse fresh thinking and provide innovative strategic solutions to address business-to-business, business-to-consumer and internal communications audiences.
• Provide operational and business advisory support to clients in event leadership roles to help them gain internal support, align teams and resources, and produce impactful events.
• Provide recommendations for event measurement.
• Scope and deliver client-facing experiential marketing projects to wide-ranging clients.
• Maintain key accounts and client relationships on behalf of the strategy team in partnership with Growth team members.
• Participate in organic growth initiatives with existing accounts to help drive strategic approaches to support revenue growth for Strategy and Freeman overall.
• Collaborate with other Freeman business units to lead strategic initiatives with key accounts.
• Create strong relationships with internal partners including Design, Account, Sponsorships and Growth team members.
• Form partnerships with key internal partners to assist in delivering insight, research, and other important data for strategic engagements.
• Help grow the Freeman Strategy practice as well as increase the quality, consistency and scalability of our thinking and solutions.
• Create thought leadership and strategic methodologies on behalf of Freeman to clients, prospective clients and industry influencers through research and participation in industry and client-sponsored events.
• Develop training materials and mechanisms to continually improve the quality of our work, make it scalable, and help team members build expertise in our service offerings.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required
• 15-20 years related experience
• Creative/Experiential/Events industry experience required
• 10+ years management experience
• Strong knowledge of basic finance, accounting and budgeting systems and best practices
• Familiarity with professional services KPIs such as utilization, revenue growth and margin attainment

Travel Requirements

Travel 25% to 50%

Diversity Commitment

At Freeman, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our customers and our communities around the world can reach their goals and connect with each other. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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