Associate Director, Guest Experience

Kilowatt Events, Inc. is a renowned woman-owned live event production company that specializes in building and operating temporary event venues, designing custom brand activations, and creating turnkey programs that elevate the fan experience. With a diverse portfolio that includes world-class sporting productions, Red Carpets, Lifestyle Festivals, and Fortune 100 Corporate Events, Kilowatt Events stands out as a leader in the event industry. The company has proudly earned a Sports EMMY for its outstanding work on the College Football National Championship for ESPN, marking its commitment to excellence and innovation. Kilowatt Events is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, proudly embracing equal opportunity employment for all candidates regardless of race, gender, orientation, disability, or veteran status.

The Associate Director, Guest Experience role at Kilowatt Events is a full-time exempt position designed for a dynamic and experienced professional with a passion for executing large-scale, consumer-facing events such as festivals, experiential activations, and diverse client programs. This position is critical for driving the strategy, execution, and evolution of workforce management projects that directly impact the quality and success of these events. As the leader of a sizable team responsible for recruiting, training, scheduling, and managing a temporary staff ranging from 50 to over 1,000 personnel on peak event days, the Associate Director must excel in high-energy, fast-paced settings and bring specialized expertise in scaling staffing operations beyond traditional event or venue staffing.

Reporting to the Director of Events, the Associate Director is charged with mentoring Kilowatt's internal team members and contractors, overseeing labor budgets, staffing cost forecasting, and collaborating cross-functionally with production, operations, security, staffing, vendors, and clients. This role demands a proactive leader who can anticipate guest and operational needs, make timely decisions under pressure, and deliver seamless, memorable event experiences at scale. The candidate will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of workforce strategy — from recruitment and training program design to onsite management and post-event evaluations — ensuring that guest service programs are effective and reflect client expectations.

Based in Southern California, with at least eight in-office days annually in the San Diego office and regular project travel required at 15-20%, this role offers an exciting blend of logistics, creativity, and leadership. Kilowatt Events provides health benefits following a 60-day period, alongside the opportunity to work on high-profile events that leave a lasting impact. The base salary range for this position is $105,000 to $110,000, with compensation tailored to the candidate's qualifications and experience.

The Associate Director role is ideal for an individual who thrives in unique venues that include outdoor and temporary sites, is solutions-oriented, and has first-hand experience building staffing programs from the ground up rather than merely supervising hired staff. The responsibilities include running complex staffing projects, managing performance, and developing strategic programs like detailed DOT maps for fan navigation, training development, and coordinating among various event teams such as security, ticketing, and sponsors. The candidate will play a central role in client and stakeholder relations, conflict resolution, business development opportunities, and overall event execution. This position not only emphasizes operational excellence but also values continuous professional development and creative input in event design and fan experiences, reinforcing Kilowatt's market-leading position in the live event production industry.