Account Director Global Sporting Event Italy Or UK Based

We’re on the lookout for an experienced Account Director to join our team and lead the planning and delivery of a premium client programme for a global sporting event in Milan in 2026.

In this role, you’ll be responsible for creating, managing, and executing a large-scale event project, predominantly focused on high-end hospitality programme development and delivery. You’ll work closely with our global client to bring their vision to life and ensure every aspect of their guest experience is world-class.

This is a contract role starting summer 2025 and ending March of 2026. We're open to hearing from candidates based in Italy or the UK.

If you have a proven track record delivering complex programmes at international sporting events and if you thrive in a fast-paced, high-performance environment and are passionate about delivering unforgettable experiences on the world stage, we’d love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

• To project manage the planning and operational delivery of client hospitality programmes
• To create and effectively manage a budget(s)
• To manage key client relationships
• To co-ordinate key stakeholder engagement and their involvement in major events
• Working with the other departments to plan and manage all programme elements - Hotel, Ticketing, F&B, Transport, Premiums, Print and Production, Onsite offices, Accreditation and Staffing.
• Develop guest experience in line with client aims and local market knowledge pre-event, and actively manage the guest experience onsite
• Develop and manage project timelines
• Advise clients on deadlines in timely manner
• Develop and manage relationships with venue managers
• To manage an internal iLUKA team including, Programme Managers and external consultants – wider team management may be required dependent on size and scale of project
• Continual evaluation of work undertaken and seek ways to improve the management of activity on behalf of a client
• Work with other members of the agency team to maximise supplier relationships both commercially and excellence in delivery
• Draw upon case history and industry best practice to deliver excellence in event planning and delivery

This is not an exhaustive list, and all team members will be expected to contribute to any other aspects of the business, as necessary.

Skills, Knowledge, Expertise:

• Proven experience working in sports event management and / or experiential
• Significant project management experience
• Previous evidence in the management of senior stakeholders in public and/or private sector
• Previous work with International and National Governing Bodies of sport / organising committees
• Sponsorship rights delivery and activation experience
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship skills
• Effective resource planning
• Commercial acumen and budget management

Attributes:

• High energy, comfortable working potentially long hours in a demanding but rewarding and friendly environment
• Flexible, enthusiastic, confident, outgoing
• Willing to roll sleeves up and get involved
• Passionate about sport, hospitality and delivery
• Able to work in a calm, kind and professional manner in a pressured environment
• Ability to prioritise a demanding workload