Manager, Brand Experience

SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally.

Summary
The Manager, Brand Experience is the driving force behind how SHRM shows up in the world—live, digital, and everywhere in between. This role owns SHRM’s flagship event brand experience (including the annual conference booth and activations), shapes our brand storytelling, and oversees our social media agency strategy and execution.

This person thrives where marketing strategy meets creative storytelling. They bring an agency mindset—thinking big, moving fast, and delivering excellence every time. With a passion for connection, this leader transforms SHRM’s brand into experiences that drive awareness, engagement, and business results.

The ideal candidate has agency experience working with major brands, a solid grasp of modern marketing practices, and knows how to manage creative teams, budgets, and partners. They are a motivator, a connector, and a storyteller—ready to make SHRM’s brand unforgettable.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead the SHRM brand experience at major events, including concepting, creative development, production, and on-site execution.
• Develop and drive brand storytelling across campaigns, content, and activations—connecting audiences to SHRM’s mission in meaningful ways.
• Oversee social media strategy and agency partnerships, ensuring best-in-class brand presence and engagement across platforms.
• Manage and mentor a high-performing team (two direct reports) and guide agency partners for aligned, impactful execution.
• Lead creative agencies from briefing through activation—collaborating with strategy, creative, and production teams to bring ideas to life.
• Own and manage budgets for events, activations, and brand campaigns; ensure efficient use of resources with strong ROI.
• Partner with marketing, communications, events, and sales to ensure cohesive brand expression across all touchpoints and measurable marketing outcomes.
• Track brand and campaign performance, audience sentiment, and engagement metrics; use insights to inform marketing and brand strategies.
• Represent SHRM as an on-site brand ambassador; travel and occasional weekend work required for major events.
• Stay ahead of cultural, workplace, and marketing trends to position SHRM as an innovative, relevant global brand.

Education & Experience Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field required.
• MBA preferred.

Experience:

• 8+ years of experience in brand marketing, experiential marketing, or integrated communications.
• Agency experience working with large, recognizable brands—developing campaigns, activations, or content that reach diverse audiences.
• Proven success managing people, budgets, and agencies.
• Experience developing or executing large-scale event activations or sponsorships.
• Strong understanding of marketing strategy, customer journey, analytics, and audience engagement.
• Experience with social media strategy and content development that drives measurable marketing results..

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to effectively leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies to streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and improve overall work quality.
• Deep understanding of brand storytelling, marketing strategy, and multi-channel engagement.
• Strong leadership and team management skills; proven ability to inspire and guide both internal and external teams.
• Strong agency management and collaboration experience—able to brief, challenge, and elevate creative work.
• Excellent project management and budgeting skills with impeccable attention to detail.
• Energetic, adaptable, and thrives in fast-paced, high-visibility environments.
• Excellent communicator and connector—able to build relationships across teams and levels.
• Passionate about travel, events, and creating experiences that connect people to purpose.
• Creative, curious, and resourceful; a natural problem-solver and culture builder.
• Fluent in marketing metrics, content performance, and brand health tracking.

Certifications

• N/A

Physical Requirements
This position operates in a typical office environment and requires the ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Physical requirements may include:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, handling documents, and using office equipment.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds as needed.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with colleagues and stakeholders.

Work Environment

Hybrid Position (3 Days In-Office, 2 Days Remote):

• This position follows a hybrid work schedule, with Tuesday through Thursday in office and Monday and Friday remote. Employees must be available during standard business hours, with core hours beginning between 8:00AM – 9:00AM and concluding between 5:00PM – 6:00PM.

Travel: 0 – 10%

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The hiring range for this position is $98,000 to $129,000 per year. This range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications. SHRM offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. The benefits for this position include professional growth and development, health, dental, vision, well-being, health savings, flexible spending, retirement, open leave, and annual discretionary bonus and incentives.

Our employment practices are in accordance with the laws that prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, marital status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law.

SHRM is an equal opportunity employer (Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran).

We do not sponsor applicants for work visas.