The Team:

The Communications department is responsible for strategic deployment of Press & Influencer Relations, Special Events and Advertising across all media channels to support the growth of awareness for Hermès in the US. Our mission is to share the rich story of Hermès, highlighting the value of creativity, commitment to quality and signature craftmanship model.

The Opportunity:

As the Director of Special Events, you will be responsible for planning, budgeting, and production of all events for Hermès in the United States. Activity ranges in scale and complexity from large scale brand image events to intimate in-store champagne receptions. The Director of Special Events will be involved in the production of key event activity, while also leading and managing a team of in-house event producers (and freelancers) to coordinate a broad scope of events in support of strategic initiatives. Projects include institutional communication events, new store openings, brand heritage events, exhibitions, category specific product animations, client engagement events and flagship programming.

The Director works closely with the VP of Special Events to ensure all events are carried out in adherence to the yearly event calendar, which is based on the needs of the business and strategic priorities and is developed by the VP of Events and SVP of Communications. Extensive production experience, detailed budget control, adherence to all internal audit requirements and close collaboration with the Paris office to communicate event progress and gain approval of all event elements are fundamental to the role. The Director is also responsible for identifying appropriate third-party vendors and managing these vendors to deliver services in keeping with the high-standards and defined expectations of the House.

About the Role:

• Work closely with the VP of Special Events on the execution plan and delegation of the event calendar to the special events team. Review Master Budget status, event activation plans (including recommended key vendors), creative concept integration and development, artist collaborations and general event progress updates with the VP on a regular basis.
• Delegate all event activity among all members of the special events team and oversee all aspects of event production and execution with regular touch-bases.
• Oversee and keep track of Master Events Budget actuals by supervising individual event financial progress, ensuring adherence to budget allocations identified by VP of Special Events.
• Manage and supervise all special events team members to ensure seamless production of delegated events, activation of event strategy, attention to detail, adherence to guidelines and standards, high quality output, creative problem solving and efficient, cost-effective implementation.
• Maintain a strong and collaborative partnership with the Hermes International teams in Paris, and work with them to develop activation plans for all events, identify internal project teams, and ensure required approvals are received in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with Directors of Press and Advertising to execute agreed upon 360-degree activation strategies for all special event activity.
• Lead the special events team confidently via clear communication. Define key expectations and objectives and teach and mentor team to gain experience and accept greater personal responsibility and accountability.
• Travel to events and oversee event while on site. Provide support to Event Lead on all production elements, including management of problematic situations to exemplify grace under pressure.
• Maintain a proactive and progressive network of vendors to ensure extensive knowledge of current event resources including new venues, production agencies, high-quality fabrication resources, new technology innovations, performance talent, etc.
• Review final vendor contracts and ensure special events team members are adhering to all special event audit requirements (competitive bidding, cost control, insurance, security, etc.)
• Review and approve post-event recapping including Global Reports and Recap Videos for internal communication.
• The Director of Special Events must also be able to independently plan, produce and execute key, large scale events from start to finish as required, including, but not limited to:
• • Handle and oversee all aspects of event production, coordination, logistics and external vendor management.
  • Manage all scenic aspects by reviewing floorplans, build drawings, fabrication samples, renderings, etc.
  • Review and negotiate all vendor proposals (i.e. caterers, lighting, sound, décor, etc.).
  • Carefully manage event financials in adherence to the designated budget and submit timely payments.
  • Manage event invitation production from design stage to deployment for all delegated events
  • Develop guest list strategy with CRM team and boutiques to ensure a successful event
  • Scout venues in markets as needed and prepare venue overviews
  • Create detailed production schedules and run of shows for delegated events
  • Create detailed logistics charts and timelines for inventory movements for delegated events
  • Prepare post-event recaps and reports
  • Maintain relationships with store directors, the retail and VM departments and other internal departments to successfully coordinate all event needs
  • Travel to delegated events as required and continue to manage workload while traveling
  • Adhere to all internal audit requirements for events and work with legal department to develop, manage and execute vendor contracts and insurance certificates.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• YES – Delegates to and oversees the special events team including 2 Senior Managers, 1 Manager, 1 Associate Managers, 2 Coordinators, as well as any freelancers.

Budget Responsibility:

• YES – Responsible for $20 Million + in event production investment. Event budgets are allocated by the VP of Special Events in support of priority initiatives as agreed with the Paris office and Hermès Executive Committee.

Decision Making Responsibility:

• Yes – Responsible for making event related decisions in line with the high-standards and defined expectations of the House.

About You:

• 6+ direct event production experience in fashion or similar industry
• At least 2 years experience managing a team of people
• Expert knowledge of principal event production skills including logistics management
• Exceptional project management, prioritization and planning skills, including ability to manage several initiatives/events at once
• Extensive organizational experience with precise attention to detail and creative vision
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to establish and nurture close relationships with all partners, and practice routine follow up
• Must be able to effectively manage a team to achieve the required departmental goals
• Proficiency in team leadership and motivation
• Highly skilled in problem solving, decision making and critical thinking
• Anticipate potential issues and resolution of conflicts and problems during event execution
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and work under tight deadlines and pressure
• Must possess a strong work ethic, and be an enthusiastic team player
• Highly self-motivated and eager to learn
• Ability to manage budgets, and effectively track, monitor and manage expenditures against budget
• Proficient negotiating skills
• Flexibility in high-stress situations
• Excellent collaboration skills
• Must be willing to travel and work nights/weekends
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

The range for this position is $90,899.00 to $151,499.00. Actual rates are determined based on the job, location, and individual experience.

We are looking for a candidate that has a combination of the above attributes and can perform the key functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodations.

Company Overview:

Since 1837, Hermès has remained faithful to its artisan business model and humanist values. We place people at the heart of what we do and aspire to make a positive impact on the world. The freedom to create, the constant search for beautiful materials, the transmission of a savoir-faire of excellence and the aesthetic of functionality define the singularity of Hermès, a house dedicated to making highly-crafted, beautiful objects made to stand the test of time.

An independent, family-owned company, Hermès is dedicated to keeping production in France through its 42 workshops, The Hermès organization is also a truly global community with a network of 310 stores in 49 countries. Hermès employs more than 15,000 people worldwide with over 6,000 of the workforce being Hermès craftspeople engaged in making artisanal products, nurturing a 180+ year tradition of creativity and innovation.

At Hermès, our actions for sustainable development and corporate social responsibility are founded in values passed down by generations of humble artisans who have shaped the story of our house and the integrity of our objects. The roots of Hermès’ success and longevity lie in a sense of responsibility; a quest for authenticity and respect for time and preservation of natural resources. All at Hermès wish to leave a positive footprint on the world, a mission that’s at the heart of our commitment to progress. This narrative can be experienced in a series of shorts films “Footsteps Across the World” available on our website. Link here.

Our Commitment:

Family is at the heart of Hermès. At Hermès of Paris, we are committed to being a Maison for All, a home where we make efforts to generate, support and advance the values of diversity, inclusion and family both within our own walls and in the wider world. At Hermès of Paris we look to create a diverse workforce of talented and unique individuals with different backgrounds, skillsets and worldviews that will enrich our Hermès of Paris family. We support our individual team members personal and professional success through a culture that values equality, individuality and fairness and through an environment where individuals can thrive and feel comfortable being their authentic selves. Beyond the walls of our Maison, we advance our DIF values through the work that we do in partnership with our community and non-profit partners.

At Hermès of Paris, we are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. It is the policy of Hermès of Paris, Inc. that applicants for employment are recruited, selected and hired on the basis of individual merit and ability with respect to positions being filled and potential for promotion or transfer which may be expected to develop. Applicants are recruited, selected and hired without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, citizenship, military or veteran status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. In addition, personnel procedures and practices with regard to training, promotion, transfer, compensation, demotion, lay off or termination are to be administered with due regard to job performance, experience and qualifications, but without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, citizenship, military or veteran status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hermès of Paris, Inc. also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with applicable laws.

We collect personal information (PI) from you in connection with your application for employment with Hermes, including the following categories of PI: identifiers, personal records, commercial information, professional or employment information, non-public education records, and inferences drawn from your PI. We collect your PI for our purposes, including performing services and operations related to your potential employment. For additional details or if you have questions, contact us at ccpa@hermes.com. Please do not submit resumes or applications to this email address.