Director, Client Events

About this Opportunity:

As a Director, Client Events, you will be responsible for the strategy, design, and execution of Orion’s portfolio of company-owned events — creating high-impact, differentiated experiences that deepen client relationships, support expansion, and strengthen retention across Orion’s most important client and advisor segments. This role directly oversees the Event Operations team, bringing together experience strategy and operational execution under unified leadership. Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, this leader serves as Orion’s primary authority on proprietary event experiences and brand presence strategy. They own the planning, vendor relationships, and on-the-ground execution for flagship programs including the CEO Summit, Wealth Elite Event, and Advisor Councils — and lead key elements of Ascent, Orion’s flagship annual conference, including venue, hotel, event planning, large activations, and executive care. Overall strategic ownership of Ascent is led by the CMO. This role leads Orion’s Events Center of Excellence (COE) — a cross-functional working group spanning Marketing, Event Operations, and other functions — responsible for coordinating Orion’s full events portfolio including company-owned events, tradeshows, and event operations. As COE leader, this Director sets direction, drives alignment, and mobilizes the right people and resources to deliver exceptional event outcomes across the organization. As we continue to evolve and live our Orion values, we are looking for someone to grow with us.  

Location Status:
It is anticipated that an incumbent in this role will work as a Hybrid employee, with three (3) or more days each week required on-site at one of the listed office locations.

 

Candidates should be located within a commutable distance to an office. Internal candidates currently aligned to an Orion office location may be given preference; however, internal candidates with varying work arrangements may be considered based on experience and business needs. Work location is subject to change based on business needs.

In this role, you’ll get to:

• Own the end-to-end strategy, planning, and execution of Orion’s company-owned events, including the CEO Summit, Wealth Elite Event, Advisor Councils and internal events like the Visionary Rewards Trip and Sales Meetings — designing specialized, high-caliber experiences that reflect the unique expectations of each audience
• Create differentiated event experiences with the explicit goal of deepening client relationships, driving expansion, and strengthening retention, ensuring every touchpoint from pre-event through post-event follow-up is intentional and cohesive
• Serve as the project lead and primary point of accountability for all company-owned events — building detailed project plans, driving cross-functional workstreams, and ensuring all stakeholders are aligned and delivering on schedule
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across Sales, Client Success, Marketing, and executive leadership throughout the event lifecycle, maintaining clear ownership and coordinated execution at every stage
• Partner with the Marketing Operations and Content team for content, creative, and communications support — ensuring the experience strategy is brought to life through high-quality materials and messaging
• Overall strategic ownership of Ascent is led by the Chief Marketing Officer. The Director, Client Events & Experiences is responsible for the following elements of Ascent:
• Own venue and hotel selection, contract negotiation, and relationship management for Ascent — securing the right property well in advance to protect preferred dates, rates, and terms.
• Lead all event planning and logistics for Ascent, including room blocks, food and beverage, audio-visual, signage, general session production, and on-site operational execution in partnership with the Event Operations team
• Design and execute large-scale activations and experiential moments at Ascent that reflect Orion’s brand and create memorable, shareable experiences for attendees
• Own executive care programming for Ascent — ensuring VIP clients, senior advisors, and executive guests receive a bespoke, high-touch experience from arrival through departure
• Partner with the AVP of Marketing Operations and Content on registration systems, technology infrastructure, and attendee management workflows to ensure seamless operational execution
• Directly lead the Event Operations team, providing direction, development, and day-to-day oversight for team members responsible for registration platforms, event systems, and operational execution across Orion’s full events portfolio
• Ensure Event Operations has the systems, processes, and frameworks needed to support company-owned events, tradeshows, training events, and Ascent with consistency and scale
• Drive integration between event operations technology and the broader MarTech stack, ensuring seamless lead capture, attendee tracking, and post-event follow-up workflows across all programs
• Build scalable event operations standards and templates that can be applied efficiently across the full range of Orion’s events throughout the year
• Hold full accountability for the expense management of all company-owned events — developing and managing budgets, tracking spend, and ensuring events are delivered on time and within financial parameters
• Own the venue, hotel, logistics, and activation budget for Ascent, managing spend responsibly and identifying opportunities to maximize value without compromising the attendee experience
• Identify cost efficiencies through smart vendor partnerships, advance contracting, and strategic investment prioritization across the events portfolio
• Own and manage Orion’s strategic event vendor relationships, including the primary event logistics and planning firm, creative production partner, and key hotel and venue partners
• Secure contracts well in advance across all company-owned events and Ascent — proactively locking in venues, hotels, and key vendors ahead of market demand to protect preferred dates, rates, and terms
• Evaluate vendor performance on a continuous basis and lead RFP processes as needed to ensure Orion is partnered with best-in-class providers that deliver quality, reliability, and value
• Cultivate hotel and venue relationships that yield favorable contract terms, preferred pricing, and excellent on-site service across the events portfolio
• Lead Orion’s Events Center of Excellence (COE) — a cross-functional working group spanning Marketing, Event Operations, and other functions — responsible for the coordinated planning and execution of company-owned events, tradeshows, and event operations across the organization
• Set the agenda, priorities, and operating rhythm of the Events COE, ensuring all members are aligned on goals, timelines, and individual responsibilities regardless of formal reporting structure
• Delegate work and direct the efforts of COE team members, leveraging the full capacity of the group to deliver against event commitments with excellence
• Serve as the connective tissue between company-owned events, tradeshow programs, and event operations — ensuring the COE functions as a unified team rather than siloed workstreams
• Build and evolve the COE model over time, identifying opportunities to improve how the group works together, shares knowledge, and scales Orion’s events capability
• Own the overarching strategy and program management for Orion’s Community Groups — establishing the program vision, annual calendar, and governance framework that ensures community groups operate with consistency, purpose, and measurable impact aligned to client retention and expansion goals
• Collaborate with the EAN manager and marketing strategists to align community group programming with broader engagement goals, ensuring each group has the support, structure, and resources needed to thrive
• Hold accountability for overall community group engagement KPIs — tracking participation, satisfaction, and program health across the full portfolio of groups and reporting results to leadership with recommendations for continuous improvement
• Lead the planning and execution of in-person community group meetups at larger tradeshows and industry events, creating meaningful moments for members to connect face-to-face and deepen their relationship with Orion and with each other
• Identify opportunities to grow and evolve Orion’s Community Groups program over time, expanding reach, deepening engagement, and strengthening the role these groups play in advisor and client retention and advocacy

We’re looking for talent who:

• Has deep expertise in planning and executing a portfolio of high-profile, executive-level events from concept through on-site delivery and post-event measurement
• Has strong experience design instincts — able to craft events that feel intentional, premium, and differentiated across every audience touchpoint
• Manages multiple events simultaneously across different audience segments, formats, and scales without sacrificing quality
• Has strong project management skills — able to build detailed plans, manage cross-functional workstreams, and drive accountability across internal and external stakeholders in a complex, multi-event environment
• Has demonstrated experience owning event budgets and managing expense accountability across a portfolio of programs
• Has strong negotiation skills with experience managing large-scale vendor, hotel, and venue contracts to achieve favorable outcomes
• Has a proactive contracting approach — able to anticipate market demand and secure commitments well in advance to protect organizational interests
• Has demonstrated experience leading and developing an event operations or events team, building a high-performing culture of execution excellence and accountability
• Leads through both direct authority and cross-functional influence — directing teams with and without formal reporting lines to deliver shared outcomes
• Is a clear communicator and people leader with a track record of developing talent and building collaborative, high-functioning teams
• Has experience designing and managing community programs or member engagement initiatives, including program governance, calendar management, KPI ownership, and in-person activation at events
• Leads through influence across cross-functional contributors including community managers and marketing strategists who do not directly report into the role
• Has high design and brand literacy — able to establish and uphold visual and experiential standards that reflect a premium brand across all event touchpoints
• Is a strategic thinker who connects event programming to business objectives, client lifecycle goals, and broader marketing strategy
• Is an excellent collaborator, comfortable working alongside the CMO, executive stakeholders, Sales, Client Success, and cross-functional marketing teams
• Has a minimum of a bachelors degree
• Has a minimum of 10 years of experience
• Owns and manages relationships with stakeholders directly and works effectively with people at all levels in an organization 

#LI-AP1 

#LI-Onsite 

#LI-Hybrid 

Recommended Skills:

Change Management, Conflict Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Event Management, Financial Management, Marketing, Strategic Influence, Strategic Risk Management, Succession Planning, Technical Strategy

Salary Range:

$108,245.00 - $169,933.00

The pay listed in this posting indicates the estimated pay at the time of this posting; however, may vary depending on geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, Orion offers a competitive benefits package which includes health, dental, vision, and disability coverage on day one, 401(k) plan with employer match, paid parental leave, pet benefits including pawternity leave and pet insurance, student loan repayment and more.

About Us

At Orion, we achieve our best work when we support one another, staying personally accountable to each other and the clients we serve. We create a welcoming environment where everyone is respected, valued, and heard. Our commitment to create raving fans ensures we consistently exceed client expectations. Thinking differently is in our DNA—we innovate always, push boundaries, and reject the status quo to deliver transformative outcomes. Together, we support one another and see it through to success, driving our collective achievements and those of our clients.