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Director, Special Events & Talent Relations

Job ID 10131879 Location Burbank, California, United States Business Searchlight Pictures Date posted Sep. 19, 2025
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Job Summary:

Searchlight Pictures - Director, Special Events & Talent Relations

Searchlight Pictures is a global specialty film and television company that develops, produces, finances and acquires motion pictures and series for both worldwide theatrical and streaming releases. It has its own marketing and distribution operations, and is part of The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company. Founded in 1994 as Fox Searchlight Pictures, the company’s titles have grossed over $5 billion worldwide, amassing 52 Academy Awards including five Best Picture winners since 2009:  Slumdog Millionaire, 12 Years a Slave, Birdman, The Shape of Water, and Nomadland; 64 BAFTA Awards; 35 Golden Globe Awards, and 10 Grammy Awards. 

The Director, Special Events & Talent Relations will lead develop and execute event strategies that support marketing and awards campaigns across Searchlight’s theatrical releases

Responsibilities:

  • Oversee event planning and execution, ensuring alignment with campaign goals and brand identity
  • Oversee development & execution of all marketing activations including pop-ups, brand events and licensed events
  • Lead collaboration across marketing, publicity, creative, and field teams to ensure alignment of event strategy with broader campaign goals
  • Own the strategic planning and allocation of event budgets, ensuring cost-effective execution while maintaining high production value
  • Lead the creative development of events and clearly communicate vision to external vendors
  • Oversee selection, hiring & management of third-party production vendors
  • Serve as a key advisor to the Vice President and senior leadership on event strategy, talent relations, and brand activations.
  • Establish event metrics, evaluate effectiveness, and conduct post-event analysis to inform future planning and improve impact.
  • Oversee staffing for all studio events including internal assignments and agency supplementation
  • Lead the studio gifting program strategy, including general talent and filmmaker gifting as well as managing promotional item and mailer deliveries to talent and stakeholders around theatrical releases
  • Strategically curate guest lists for all studio events, including celebrities, influencers, and press, ensuring alignment with campaign goals and stakeholder engagement strategies
  • Work with Director, Field Publicity on integrating cohesive creative across field activations and junket setups based on national event design and direction
  • Partner with the Director, Field Publicity to lead studio presence at festivals, overseeing ticketing, creative execution, print traffic, executive coordination, and talent engagement
  • Lead capacity planning for all Searchlight events, ensuring deep venue knowledge and strategic ticket allocation across stakeholder groups, including senior executives and talent.
  • Using deep knowledge of entertainment industry relationships and politics, develop & implement seating charts (often complex) for all studio events, by venue; proactively escalate potential issues to senior leadership
  • Oversee Events & Talent Relations Specialist
  • Oversee security plans for all studio events and all talent appearances.

Qualifications & Experience:

  • BA/BS Degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or equivalent work experience.
  • 10+ years of experience in event production or marketing within film, entertainment, or related industries.
  • Experience working within a studio or entertainment brand preferred.
  • Strong relationship management and communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and persuasively.
  • Skilled in project management and able to manage multiple events and timelines simultaneously.
  • Highly organized, adaptable, and responsive to shifting priorities and partner needs.
  • Comfortable presenting to and collaborating with stakeholders at all levels, both internal and external.
  • Ability to travel for events as needed


The hiring range for this position in California is $165,900 – $222,400 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

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About Searchlight Pictures:

Searchlight Pictures is a specialty film company that both finances and acquires motion pictures. It has its own marketing and distribution operations, and the films are distributed internationally by Twentieth Century Studios.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Searchlight Pictures, Inc., which is part of a business we call Searchlight Pictures.

Searchlight Pictures, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

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Explore this Location Burbank, CA

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