Senior VIP Manager, The Armory Show & EXPO Chicago

Chicago, IL, United States

Senior VIP Manager, The Armory Show & EXPO Chicago Frieze is the world’s leading platform for modern and contemporary art, dedicated to artists, galleries, collectors and art lovers alike. Frieze comprises three magazines – frieze, Frieze Masters Magazine and Frieze Week – and seven international art fairs – Frieze London, Frieze Masters, Frieze New York, Frieze Los Angeles, Frieze Seoul, The Armory Show and EXPO Chicago. Legacy art fair brands The Armory Show and EXPO Chicago were acquired by Frieze in September 2023. In October 2021, Frieze also launched No.9 Cork Street, a permanent space for visiting international galleries in the heart of Mayfair, London. Frieze is part of the IMG network.

Endeavor is a global sports and entertainment company, home to many of the world’s most dynamic and engaging storytellers, brands, live events, and experiences. The Endeavor network specializes in talent representation through entertainment agency WME; sports operations and advisory, event management, media production and distribution, and brand licensing through IMG; live event experiences and hospitality through On Location; full-service marketing through global cultural marketing agency 160over90; and sports data and technology through IMG ARENA and OpenBet. Endeavor is also the majority owner of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company comprising UFC and WWE.

The Senior VIP Relations Manager, The Armory Show and Expo Chicago reports directly to the Frieze Head of VIP, Americas and oversees the VIP consultants and VIP support staff in facilitating and managing all aspects of the VIP Department. They lead the strategy and implementation of the VIP plan for both The Armory Show and Expo Chicago.

The Armory Show and Expo Chicago seek an experienced, well-connected, organized and efficient team player to join its VIP department. Based in New York, the role is responsible for delivering VIP audiences to both The Armory Show and Expo Chicago events. Working closely with the Head of VIP, Americas for Frieze, the Senior VIP Relations Manager, The Armory Show and Expo Chicago is responsible for the following: defining and implementing the VIP strategy; building, expanding and maintaining VIP relationships; planning and delivering an exciting program of VIP activations and events. The main objectives of this role are to deepen the network for Armory and Expo, grow loyalty within VIP audiences and deliver quality attendance to our fairs. An established network of HNWI and institutions, excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently are required for this position. This is a pivotal role in the team and a unique opportunity to dive into the deep end of the art scene while building a profile amongst influential personalities in the global art community.Frequent travel throughout the region of the United States a key part of the role.

Key responsibilities:

VIP relationship managementand cultivation

Formulate and executestrategiesto deliverqualitative VIP attendance to both The Armory Show and Expo Chicago and associated events;

Plan and deliver a comprehensive cultivation plan (events and one-to-one visits) to enable The Armory Show and Expo Chicago to deepen its engagement and loyalty within the arts collecting community and key VIP segments;

Identify and build relationships with key private collectors, corporate collections, museum groups, curators, art advisors and other arts professionals – this includes new groups that are not currently targeted by The Armory Show and Expo Chicago but have a collecting potential;

Liaise with institutions, regional bodies and non-profit organisations year-round, encourage fair attendance and create The Armory Show and Expo Chicago Week itineraries for museum and other groups;

Act as an ambassador for The Armory Show and Expo Chicago when attending important art events including major exhibition, gallery openings and dinners, andkey international art events including art fairs and biennale;

Act as the main point of contact for VIPs, maintaining the highest standards of excellence in VIP experience.

Manage The Armory Show and Expo Chicago VIP consultants to plan and execute cultivation events;

Gallery relationships

Engage with galleries involved in The Armory Show and Expo Chicago;

Ensure key galleries are involved in programs and invited to key events year-round.

Make connections and introductions between VIPs and galleries year-round and at the fair, to create opportunities and drive sales for all participating galleries in Frieze fairs globally.

Data

Actively support the processes by which VIP information is managed on The Armory Show and Expo Chicago databases.

Decide VIP segmentation, guest lists for events and pass allocation for The Armory Show and Expo Chicago fairs.

Take a leading role in ensuring that all VIP data is regularly updated.

Communications

Contribute to overall VIP communication strategy and sign off on key comms (website, social media, newsletters);

VIP Operations

Manage VIP budget for both The Armory Show and Expo Chicago

Oversee VIP portal for The Armory Show and Expo Chicago

Oversee VIP tours for The Armory Show and Expo Chicago

Manage VIP inboxes and VIP desks at The Armory Show and ExpoChicago

Prepare and deliver The Armory Show and Expo Chicago pre-fair briefing for consultants, and for art advisors

support administrative tasks for VIP team

Oversee trainings of all VIP staff in the lead up to the fair and create relevant training material

Partnerships

Work closely with the Frieze Partnerships team to ensure that partners’ VIP requirements are fulfilled;

Support management of the relationship with hotel partners in New York and Chicago.

Skills & Experience

Strong network of existing relationships with collectors and advisors in the Americas.

Experience of building external and internal relationships.

Excellent communication and presentation skills.

In-depth understanding of the art world and the key players in the Americas.

Significant experience at a senior level within a client facing background in an environment such as a commercial gallery,museum, auctionhouse or international art event.

Ability to work under pressure and collaboratively work as part of a team.

Experience managing budgets and working with a database.

Our Diversity & Inclusion Statement

Frieze unites people inourlove of the arts. Weunderstand this can only beaccomplishedwhen we harness the entirety of ourcompany andleadwith a lensofdiversity, equity,andinclusionin everything we do.As a global company thatdrivesculture, we are committed topracticing anti-discriminationincludingrace, genderidentity, sexual orientation,and disability, together withartists, writers, and cultural practitioners from all backgrounds.There is still much work to be done to address systemic inequality and discrimination within the arts and culture industry, and we are dedicated to making progresstoboth within our own organization and the art world at large.

Endeavor unites and brings people together in our love of sport, culture, and entertainment. Weunderstand this can only be accomplished when we lead with a lens of diversity,equity,andinclusionineverything we do. As a global companythatdrivesculture,westrive to reflect theworld’sdiversevoices.

Endeavor is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.

Per local requirements and in the interest of transparency, the range shown below reflects the prevalent current hiring range for this position. Hiring pay rates are based on a number of factors, including location and may vary depending on job-related qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience. Endeavor strives to provide locally competitive rewards packages, which include base rate along with, as applicable, short- and long-term incentives, growth and developmental opportunities, and robust benefits, such as health care, retirement, vacation and other paid time off, and additional offerings.

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