Senior Vice President Of Event Logistics

This is a Full Time Job

DESCRIPTION:

South by Southwest (SXSW) is a world-renowned celebration of the convergence of technology, film, music, education, and culture. Every March, innovators from around the globe gather in Austin, Texas, for our conferences, festivals, exhibitions, and networking opportunities. Our team works year-round to create an unforgettable experience for hundreds of thousands of attendees.

Job Purpose

The Senior Vice President of Event Logistics will oversee the planning, execution, and operations for all SXSW event logistics. They will serve as a senior business leader responsible for overseeing budgeting, procurement, vendor relations, and contract negotiations. They will ensure these departments operate in alignment to deliver seamless, world-class events.

This role requires balancing high-level strategy with hands-on operational oversight, driving efficiency, innovation, and exceptional attendee and partner experiences. We are looking for a leader who is exceptional at collaboration, both inside and outside the company. It is ideal for a senior event operations leader with a proven track record in large-scale, complex multi-venue events who thrives in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Partner with the executive leadership team to develop short- and long-term operational strategies that support SXSW's mission and growth.
• Lead annual planning cycles, ensuring the logistics departments align with corporate goals.
• Collaborate with department heads and the CFO to develop and manage budgets that meet fiscal goals while maintaining quality standards.
• Oversee procurement policies, compliance requirements, and vendor contracting to support cost-effective and high-quality outcomes.

Event Operations Oversight

• Leadership over all logistical operations for SXSW events, from venue contracting to vendor management, housing, staffing, and credentialing.
• Ensure vendor and partner relationships meet performance, quality, and compliance standards while optimizing for cost and service excellence.
• Support negotiations with venues, hotels, and service providers to secure favorable terms and conditions.

Team & Department Leadership

• Support department heads in Event Operations, Registration & Housing, Production, Planning, and Government Affairs.
• Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team across the five departments, fostering collaboration and professional growth.
• Promote operational efficiencies and process improvements year-round.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for logistics issues during the planning, execution, and on-site phases.

On-Site Responsibilities

• Lead on-the-ground logistics operations during SXSW, ensuring smooth execution and rapid problem-solving.
• Maintain strong relationships with internal teams, government officials, and external stakeholders during the event.
• Support experienced event management staff with financial and vendor-related oversight. Ensure contracts and vendor deliverables are executed as agreed during the event.

Direct Reports

Event Logistics Department Heads

Qualifications & Skills

Qualifications include:

• 10 years in large-scale event logistics, with a minimum of five years at the management level.
• Proven experience delivering city-wide or multi-venue events involving 50,000 attendees.
• Demonstrated expertise in vendor management, procurement, and budget ownership at scale.
• Strong production and technical logistics background.
• Proven experience collaborating with government agencies and public safety stakeholders to ensure compliance and successful event execution.
• Ideally, experience with recurring festivals, conferences, or large-scale touring environments.
• Ability to multitask, be agile, and adapt to evolving deadlines and priorities.
• Familiarity with Meeti