Events Director

Sonatus is a well-funded, fast-paced, and fast-growing company whose technologies and software help automakers build dynamic software-defined vehicles. With two generations of solutions already on the road with a top global OEM, our vehicle and cloud software solutions are at the forefront of the digital transformation of vehicles. The Sonatus team is a talented and diverse collection of technology and automotive specialists hailing from many of the most prominent companies in their respective industries.

Dive into an exciting newly-created role as our Events Director, where your passion and multifaceted skills fuel our company's success. In this vibrant global role, you'll take responsibility for a significant worldwide events and trade show exhibition portfolio with a strong budget, existing assets, established vendor relationships, and a capable marketing team around you.  Sonatus holds events in most major automotive regions of the world. This strong events leader will continue our track record of excellence in exhibitions, including a major exhibition at CES annually in January, among many other events.

This position reports to the Chief Marketing Officer.  You will also work with the Head of Product Marketing, Head of Partnerships, our digital market team and others from executives, marketing, sales and product management. The ideal candidate is an excellent collaborator and communicator, can drive projects independently, and thrives in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

This position is based at Sonatus worldwide headquarters in Sunnyvale, CA, with hybrid days in the office.  Expected travel is about 10-20% including international travel.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Create and execute integrated plans for each event, encompassing internal kickoffs, booth and onsite experiences, pre-and post-event campaigns, staffing, logistics, and goal alignment.
• Leverage excellent attention to detail and project management skills to lead and ensure timely and reliable handling of event logistics, services, key deliverables, etc.
• Lead the engagement with our in-house and outside creative vendors to produce event graphics, advertising, and related collateral.
• Create event recaps to measure the achievement of success criteria and goals and derive key insights.
• Lead the overall planning of the event portfolio, delivering analytical metrics of which are the highest return on investment and most appropriate for company goals.
• Lead the event budget planning process as a roll-up into the marketing department budget.
• Lead onsite event activations to ensure objectives are achieved on time and on budget
• Manage the events team and effectively influence supporting staff from other departments

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field.
• 10 years of trade show and event management experience at a senior level, for technology companies or technology divisions of automotive companies. 
• Experience with budget management for significant events with demonstrated success
• Experience leading events domestically in the US as well as international events in Europe and Asia
• Strong project management skills, including overseeing outside vendors and outside creative teams 
• Experience with people management of direct reports
• Solid analytical skills with the ability to stay on budget and ensure events align with business strategy 
• Self-motivated, quick learning, organized, and a strong problem-solver
• Effective graphical, written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable working in a high-performing team in an agile environment. 

Desired qualifications and experience, but not mandatory

• 15 years of trade show and event management experience at a senior level, ideally for technology companies or technology divisions of automotive companies. 
• Expertise managing brand guidelines and visual standards, to ensure show graphics are compliant with brand guidelines and also to serve as internal expert for other marketing deliverables.