Brand Experience Manager

The Brand Experience Manager will lead the strategic planning and execution of brand experiences, brand activations, and community activations for The Whitaker Group. This role plays a pivotal part in elevating our brand presence through high-impact initiatives that align with our mission and values. Reporting to senior leadership, this individual will collaborate cross-functionally to deliver best-in-class experiences across our ecosystem.

Our ideal candidate can unpack creative strategy, translate brand narratives into compelling experiences, and activate ideas that connect deeply with communities. This individual must be comfortable interfacing with a wide range of internal and external partners to represent organizational interests and achieve organizational goals. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Strategic Leadership: Lead the development of experiential strategies that align with The Whitaker Group’s vision, brand standards, and community goals.
• Event Oversight: Supervise planning and execution of company-wide events, brand activations, and special initiatives from concept to post-event analysis and final asset delivery.
• Team & Leadership Collaboration: Provide insights and guidance to leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality, consistent delivery.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Partner with leadership, community leads, creative, marketing, and retail operations teams to ensure cohesion and success across all initiatives.
• External Partnerships: Cultivate and manage relationships with brand partners, vendors, and stakeholders to enhance event impact and community reach.
• Market Intelligence: Leverage insights and research to develop experiences tailored to specific markets and communities.
• Budget Oversight: Develop, allocate, and manage budgets for multiple projects, with emphasis on expense management and cost efficiency.
• Impact Reporting: Define and measure KPIs for brand experience initiatives; assess impact and provide actionable recommendations.
• Creative Direction: Help conceptualize event themes, messaging, and physical/digital touchpoints to ensure consistent, culturally relevant storytelling.
• Process Development: Utilize and refine project management software and workflows (ClickUp, Asana, Trello, Monday, etc.)to streamline event processes and increase program scalability.
• On-the-Ground Execution: Lead high-profile activations and events, ensuring seamless execution and memorable community interactions.
• AI-Driven Brand Innovation: Use AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Jasper, Midjourney, predictive analytics) to develop polished decks, compelling presentation materials, and visual assets for idea pitches and post-event recaps. Apply AI insights to strengthen storytelling, improve efficiency, and ensure more personalized, impactful communication.

Qualifications 

• Experience: 3-5 years of relevant experience in experiential marketing or event production; preferably in a brand, retail, or agency environment.
• Leadership: Proven success working within and across teams on complex, multi-market initiatives.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills; confident presenting to stakeholders at all levels.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the bigger picture while managing tactical details.
• Market Knowledge: Deep understanding of cultural relevance, audience engagement, and tailoring experiences for diverse communities.
• Financial Acumen: Experience building and managing six-figure budgets across multiple initiatives with a focus on efficiency.
• Tech & Tools: Proficiency in project management platforms, event management software, and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace; Adobe Creative Suite is a plus. Strong knowledge of project management tools and workflows (ClickUp, Asana, Trello, Monday, etc.).
• Travel: Flexibility and willingness to travel frequently (generally 4–5 times per month by car or plane) to support events and activations.