Crain Communications
Overview
Director of Events, Crain Communications Location: Open (Detroit, NYC, or Remote U.S. Preferred) Department: Events & Experiences Reports to: VP, Corporate Events Position Summary
Crain Communications is seeking a visionary and results-driven Director of Events to lead the evolution of our B2B events portfolio - beginning with the flagship Automotive News brand and scaling across other verticals, including Modern Healthcare, Ad Age, and Pensions & Investments. This role will be responsible for defining and executing a long-term strategy that enhances audience value, deepens client relationships, and drives revenue growth through best-in-class in-person and virtual event experiences. A major focus will be on customer journey optimization - including registration strategy, Cvent flow design, and seamless onsite/offsite engagement. This individual will partner across editorial, marketing, sales, and product teams to deliver impactful tentpole events, executive gatherings, and new scalable formats. Ideal candidates bring a mix of strategic thinking, event lifecycle expertise, and a passion for delivering measurable results. Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Brand Expansion
Develop and execute a multi-year events roadmap for Automotive News, with a clear path to scale across additional Crain brands. Identify opportunities to launch new formats (e.g., regional summits, executive dinners, micro-events) aligned to brand and audience goals. Translate editorial and audience insights into compelling event products.
Audience & Customer Experience
Design the full attendee journey - from pre-event registration to on-site experience - with a focus on conversion, simplicity, and satisfaction. Oversee registration strategy and execution, including optimization of Cvent builds, ticketing tiers, group pricing, workflows, and reporting.
Event Success & Business Growth
Develop long-term strategic plans and roadmaps for event growth across key Crain brands, starting with Automotive News. Identify and test new event formats and audience engagement models (e.g., micro-events, regional summits, hybrid formats). Optimize the registration experience across platforms with a focus on ease, mobile experience, and conversion, including the on-site app experience. Drive pricing strategy and campaign planning to increase audience reach and registration yield. Partner with marketing on deployment. Continuously evaluate event performance and industry trends to inform growth decisions and future planning.
Content & Production Integration
Partner with programming teams to ensure content strategy aligns with audience expectations and editorial positioning. Collaborate with technical production teams on stage design, A/V experience, run-of-show flow, and brand presence. Maintain a strong working knowledge of event operations, vendors, and on-site execution.
Stakeholder & Team Leadership
Act as the central cross-functional lead for all Automotive News events, managing timelines, stakeholders, and deliverables. Oversee direct reports and collaborate with centralized functional teams (registration, sponsorship, operations, tech production). Implement strong planning tools, workflows, and performance reporting to drive accountability and visibility.
Qualifications
10+ years of B2B event experience, with a focus on large-scale conferences, summits, and awards programs Proven ability to scale event portfolios across multiple brands or business units Strong expertise in Cvent (registration, build logic, reporting) and attendee experience design Ability to build high-trust relationships with editorial, marketing, and sales leaders Exceptional communication, time management, and project leadership skills Team-oriented mindset with experience managing direct reports and cross-functional initiatives Understanding of event production, show flow, and on-site execution - but not required to lead logistics directly Strong collaboration expected with partner event directors focused on operations and client services. Preferred
Background in B2B media, publishing, or vertical industries such as automotive, healthcare, or marketing Exposure to executive-level programming and audience development strategies Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Asana) and data platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Google Analytics) Brand Overview
Automotive News has been the go-to source for news among automotive retailers, suppliers and manufacturers, including breaking news, data, webinars, conferences and events. Automotive News Europe and Automotive News China are created locally and backed by a global team of editors and reporters, with a commitment to journalistic excellence. www.AutoNews.com @Automotive_News About Crain Communications
Crain Communications is a leading business news and information company with a portfolio of 24 media brands that provide coverage and data for professionals globally. Brands include Ad Age, Automotive News, Modern Healthcare, Pensions & Investments, and others. For more than a century, Crain has a focus on sector expertise and journalistic integrity. To learn more, visit crain.com. Environmental Demands
Where you work matters. The job posting will provide specific information on where and when your work would be performed. Employee work location is determined by the needs of the specific team and may include on-site, hybrid or remote. Employee work location is subject to change. An in-office role would require coming to the office most days with occasional flexibility to work remotely if tasks can be performed elsewhere and if the manager approves. A remote role would allow working from a home office in one of the states Crain does business in. Remote employees must reside in one of: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NY, NC, OH, OR, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, or Washington, DC. A hybrid role would be a mix of in-office and remote work with a schedule for office days or discretion with manager approval, subject to change. Employees who live within a reasonable commute distance from a Crain office are expected to work on-site 3 days per week. Many positions will include work done in the field, such as conducting in-person interviews, attending work-related events, or meeting with sources or clients. Travel to cover news stories, meetings with clients, and to our geographically separated offices may be required. Non-standard hours and on-call needs may apply. Travel and schedule requirements are subject to change as roles evolve. Travel and field requirements described here are typical and may vary by position. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to perform essential job functions. Physical activities may include frequent in-person or virtual interactions. Most positions require remaining at a desk, with computer work, and document creation. Visual acuity is needed to prepare and analyze reports. The typical physical requirements include light work-exerting up to 25 lbs occasionally and up to 10 lbs frequently, with potential for up to 50 lbs for some roles. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions and meet environmental and physical demands. Equal Opportunity Employer
– Crain Communications is an Equal Opportunity Employer; protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are welcome. The contractor will not discriminate for inquiries about or disclosure of pay information except as permitted by law.
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Director of Events, Crain Communications Location: Open (Detroit, NYC, or Remote U.S. Preferred) Department: Events & Experiences Reports to: VP, Corporate Events Position Summary
Crain Communications is seeking a visionary and results-driven Director of Events to lead the evolution of our B2B events portfolio - beginning with the flagship Automotive News brand and scaling across other verticals, including Modern Healthcare, Ad Age, and Pensions & Investments. This role will be responsible for defining and executing a long-term strategy that enhances audience value, deepens client relationships, and drives revenue growth through best-in-class in-person and virtual event experiences. A major focus will be on customer journey optimization - including registration strategy, Cvent flow design, and seamless onsite/offsite engagement. This individual will partner across editorial, marketing, sales, and product teams to deliver impactful tentpole events, executive gatherings, and new scalable formats. Ideal candidates bring a mix of strategic thinking, event lifecycle expertise, and a passion for delivering measurable results. Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Brand Expansion
Develop and execute a multi-year events roadmap for Automotive News, with a clear path to scale across additional Crain brands. Identify opportunities to launch new formats (e.g., regional summits, executive dinners, micro-events) aligned to brand and audience goals. Translate editorial and audience insights into compelling event products.
Audience & Customer Experience
Design the full attendee journey - from pre-event registration to on-site experience - with a focus on conversion, simplicity, and satisfaction. Oversee registration strategy and execution, including optimization of Cvent builds, ticketing tiers, group pricing, workflows, and reporting.
Event Success & Business Growth
Develop long-term strategic plans and roadmaps for event growth across key Crain brands, starting with Automotive News. Identify and test new event formats and audience engagement models (e.g., micro-events, regional summits, hybrid formats). Optimize the registration experience across platforms with a focus on ease, mobile experience, and conversion, including the on-site app experience. Drive pricing strategy and campaign planning to increase audience reach and registration yield. Partner with marketing on deployment. Continuously evaluate event performance and industry trends to inform growth decisions and future planning.
Content & Production Integration
Partner with programming teams to ensure content strategy aligns with audience expectations and editorial positioning. Collaborate with technical production teams on stage design, A/V experience, run-of-show flow, and brand presence. Maintain a strong working knowledge of event operations, vendors, and on-site execution.
Stakeholder & Team Leadership
Act as the central cross-functional lead for all Automotive News events, managing timelines, stakeholders, and deliverables. Oversee direct reports and collaborate with centralized functional teams (registration, sponsorship, operations, tech production). Implement strong planning tools, workflows, and performance reporting to drive accountability and visibility.
Qualifications
10+ years of B2B event experience, with a focus on large-scale conferences, summits, and awards programs Proven ability to scale event portfolios across multiple brands or business units Strong expertise in Cvent (registration, build logic, reporting) and attendee experience design Ability to build high-trust relationships with editorial, marketing, and sales leaders Exceptional communication, time management, and project leadership skills Team-oriented mindset with experience managing direct reports and cross-functional initiatives Understanding of event production, show flow, and on-site execution - but not required to lead logistics directly Strong collaboration expected with partner event directors focused on operations and client services. Preferred
Background in B2B media, publishing, or vertical industries such as automotive, healthcare, or marketing Exposure to executive-level programming and audience development strategies Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Asana) and data platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Google Analytics) Brand Overview
Automotive News has been the go-to source for news among automotive retailers, suppliers and manufacturers, including breaking news, data, webinars, conferences and events. Automotive News Europe and Automotive News China are created locally and backed by a global team of editors and reporters, with a commitment to journalistic excellence. www.AutoNews.com @Automotive_News About Crain Communications
Crain Communications is a leading business news and information company with a portfolio of 24 media brands that provide coverage and data for professionals globally. Brands include Ad Age, Automotive News, Modern Healthcare, Pensions & Investments, and others. For more than a century, Crain has a focus on sector expertise and journalistic integrity. To learn more, visit crain.com. Environmental Demands
Where you work matters. The job posting will provide specific information on where and when your work would be performed. Employee work location is determined by the needs of the specific team and may include on-site, hybrid or remote. Employee work location is subject to change. An in-office role would require coming to the office most days with occasional flexibility to work remotely if tasks can be performed elsewhere and if the manager approves. A remote role would allow working from a home office in one of the states Crain does business in. Remote employees must reside in one of: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NY, NC, OH, OR, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, or Washington, DC. A hybrid role would be a mix of in-office and remote work with a schedule for office days or discretion with manager approval, subject to change. Employees who live within a reasonable commute distance from a Crain office are expected to work on-site 3 days per week. Many positions will include work done in the field, such as conducting in-person interviews, attending work-related events, or meeting with sources or clients. Travel to cover news stories, meetings with clients, and to our geographically separated offices may be required. Non-standard hours and on-call needs may apply. Travel and schedule requirements are subject to change as roles evolve. Travel and field requirements described here are typical and may vary by position. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to perform essential job functions. Physical activities may include frequent in-person or virtual interactions. Most positions require remaining at a desk, with computer work, and document creation. Visual acuity is needed to prepare and analyze reports. The typical physical requirements include light work-exerting up to 25 lbs occasionally and up to 10 lbs frequently, with potential for up to 50 lbs for some roles. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions and meet environmental and physical demands. Equal Opportunity Employer
– Crain Communications is an Equal Opportunity Employer; protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are welcome. The contractor will not discriminate for inquiries about or disclosure of pay information except as permitted by law.
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