Events Associate Manager

🌸 Welcome to Sanrio!

Sanrio is the global lifestyle brand best known for pop icon Hello Kitty. We’re also home to an endearing cast of characters, including the #1 fan favorite (2 years running!) Pompompurin, alongside Cinnamoroll, Pochacco, Kuromi, and many more. Since 1960, our “small gift, big smile” philosophy has inspired a World of delight, where even the tiniest token can spark happiness and an enduring connection.

🎉 We're Hiring: Events Associate Manager

Do you love creating unforgettable brand experiences? Are you a master planner who can turn big ideas into reality while balancing creativity, budgets, timelines, and logistics?

We're looking for an Events Associate Manager to help bring the Sanrio brand to life through immersive events, strategic partnerships, and retail activations that delight fans and create memorable experiences.

✨ What You'll Do

Under the direction of the Director of Marketing, you'll lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of partnership and retail events from concept through completion.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing all aspects of events, including ideation, planning, budgeting, partner management, execution, and post-event analysis.
• Leading the end-to-end RFP and vendor selection process, including drafting scopes of work, issuing RFPs, evaluating proposals, and negotiating contracts.
• Establishing event KPIs, measuring success, and identifying opportunities to improve future event performance and ROI.
• Collaborating cross-functionally with Marketing, Creative, Sales, Business Development, E-Commerce, Legal, and other teams to ensure alignment and successful execution.
• Serving as a liaison to Japan HQ.
• Translating Sanrio's Brand DNA into immersive, story-driven event experiences.

🎈 Event & Project Management

You'll be responsible for bringing events to life by:

• Developing event concepts, themes, and objectives.
• Creating project timelines, budgets, and logistics plans.
• Identifying venues and negotiating contracts.
• Managing vendors, suppliers, and event production partners.
• Overseeing event services, including catering, transportation, AV, and décor.
• Managing critical milestones and stakeholder communications.
• Handling last-minute changes and developing contingency plans.
• Supervising event setup, execution, and breakdown.
• Ensuring compliance with legal, health, and safety requirements.
• Conducting post-event analysis and reporting on results.

🧸 Brand & Partnership Leadership

As a key steward of the brand, you'll:

• Develop a deep understanding of Sanrio's brand identity and aesthetics.
• Create immersive experiences that strengthen brand awareness and engagement.
• Partner with Creative teams on style guides, event assets, and approvals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Support alignment of marketing KPIs and campaign goals across departments.
• Manage budgets, invoices, purchase orders, and approval processes.

💖 What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 6+ years of experience in brand events, partnerships, retail activations, or experiential marketing.
• Proven experience owning the full RFP lifecycle and vendor selection process.
• Strong project management skills, including budgeting, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Experience negotiating contracts and managing vendor relationships.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Airtable, Adobe Suite, and related tools.
• Familiarity with event production technology and event management platforms.
• Ability to travel up to 30% annually, including weekends.
• Willingness to support hands-on event setup and physical work as needed.

🌟 Bonus Points

• Passion for the Sanrio brand and characters.
• Strong knowledge of pop culture and consumer trends.
• Bilingual language skills.
• Experience creating immersive, fan-focused brand experiences.

🤝 Why Join Us?

At Sanrio, you'll have the opportunity to create meaningful experiences that connect fans with some of the world's most beloved characters. You'll work alongside passionate teams, innovative partners, and creative storytellers to deliver events that inspire joy and create lasting memories.

Ready to help bring the Sanrio magic to life? We'd love to hear from you!

👉*Please note that this is a hybrid position - not remote. You MUST have your own transportation and be able to come into our Torrance office at least twice per week to collaborate with the team.

Salary: $80k-$90k per year

Benefits:

401(k)

401(k) matching

Health Insurance (100% paid)

Dental insurance

Employee assistance program

Employee discount

Flexible schedule

Flexible spending account

Life insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Vision insurance

Benefits:

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Employee discount

Flexible schedule

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid sick time

Paid time off

Parental leave

Vision insurance

#Hiring #EventsManager #ExperientialMarketing #EventMarketing #BrandPartnerships #ProjectManagement #RetailEvents #MarketingCareers #Sanrio #NowHiring