Account Director - Mandarin Speaking (Global Sporting Event)

The iLUKA Collective is a specialised agency developing and delivering coordinated strategic activations for sponsors and other stakeholders at global sports events. We are experts in executing cutting edge event hospitality experiences born from intelligent strategic direction. Our heritage is big events for big companies looking for strategic and measured solutions which focus on creating unforgettable experiences for stakeholder's integral to sponsors success.

Our experience working with Sponsors, Organising Committees, International Sporting Federations, Governing Bodies and City stakeholders enables us to develop our client's sponsorship story to ensure that activations maximise the communication of their messages as well as guide global teams and their local markets through the unique complexities of delivering effectively at global sports events.

Working at The iLUKA Collective is a unique experience. We take people seriously, hospitality is about people, It is our people that drive the difference. We work with talented people from around the world who are renowned for their hard work and industry expertise. We are defined by our passion for sport, hospitality and creativity.

We are looking for an experienced Account Director to join our team in Los Angeles, supporting the delivery of a major international hospitality programme.

The successful candidate will be bilingual in English and Mandarin and will have proven experience delivering hospitality programmes at the Olympic Games or within a comparable major international sporting event environment.

This is a senior, client-facing role, so we are looking for someone with strong account management experience, excellent communication skills and a proven ability to manage complex hospitality programmes, multiple stakeholders and demanding delivery timelines.

This is a contract position, expected to commence in December 2026 or January 2027 and run through until November 2028.

The role is based in Los Angeles, and applicants must therefore already be based in, or able to work from, the Los Angeles area. Candidates must also already have the legal right to work in the United States, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Summary of Role

To create, build and deliver sporting event projects for clients, predominantly in the area of hospitality programme creation and delivery

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 and the Organising Committee

· 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

· Fluent in English & Mandarin

· 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