Job Summary The Associate Director of Talent & Programming oversees talent sourcing, logistics management, and programming development for large-scale culinary and wine events. This role is responsible for curating high-quality programming while ensuring seamless execution of cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, and talent-driven experiences. Working closely with editorial, event, public relations, and cross-functional teams, this position shapes event schedules, manages talent relationships from outreach through on-site execution, and leads a small team to deliver exceptional programming. This is a hybrid role with in-office and remote flexibility. Key Responsibilities Talent Sourcing • Lead talent sourcing efforts across chefs, winemakers, beverage professionals, and culinary personalities • Identify, prioritize, and secure high-profile talent aligned with programming goals • Maintain strong relationships with talent, agents, publicists, and industry partners • Support editorial-driven talent initiatives and outreach efforts Programming Development & Curation • Collaborate with editorial teams to develop and curate event programming schedules • Assess programming needs, event flow, and capacity requirements • Ensure programming is diverse, innovative, and aligned with brand standards Talent & Programming Logistics • Oversee production and execution of seminars and demonstrations • Manage talent logistics including scheduling, travel coordination, and on-site support • Partner with production and operations teams to ensure seamless event execution • Serve as primary point of contact for talent during planning and on-site activities • Ensure exceptional hospitality and talent preparedness Team Leadership & Collaboration • Manage and mentor direct reports, providing guidance and development opportunities • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Editorial, PR, Operations, Production, Sponsorship, and Marketing • Oversee talent-related budgets including forecasting, expense tracking, and reconciliation • Support sponsorship execution as needed • Ensure clear communication across teams to facilitate smooth execution Qualifications Education: Bachelors degree preferred in marketing, communications, or a related field; equivalent experience considered Experience: • 7+ years of experience in talent management, event programming, editorial programming, or live event production • Experience working with high-profile or celebrity talent preferred • Prior people management experience required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: • Strong understanding of culinary, wine, and beverage industries, including emerging trends • Proven ability to manage complex logistics and multiple stakeholders • Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail • Strong interpersonal and communication skills • Ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure live event environments • Flexibility to work non-traditional hours during peak planning and event execution periods