Experiential Project Manager

Please note: Applicants must be based in New York, have demonstrable experience in experiential retail, and be available to visit the client site on a weekly basis.We are looking for a highly organised, client-focused Experiential Retail Project Manager to join our New York team as the on-the-ground operational lead for one of Spark's retail experience accounts. This is a senior, embedded role at the centre of a complex, high-visibility programme spanning in-store experiences, retail campaign rollouts, product launches, live activations, and physical environment updates.This role goes beyond traditional project management, you will be responsible for bringing retail experiences to life in physical spaces, ensuring seamless coordination between creative, production, fabrication, and on-site execution teams.You will be the primary point of contact for our client's US-based team during their working hours, ensuring every brief is translated into clear, actionable deliverables for experiential execution. From concept through to installation, you will oversee the full lifecycle of retail experiences, ensuring that ideas are not only creatively strong, but also buildable, scalable, and delivered flawlessly in-store.You will sit at the intersection of a global, multi-hub creative delivery model, connecting teams across three time zones while maintaining a strong grip on local, on-the-ground execution realities in New York.We are looking for a process-driven self-starter with 5–7 years of experience in experiential retail, brand activations, or environmental production within a creative agency, production company, or similar environment. You are energised by the pace and complexity of physical experiences, comfortable managing multiple live workstreams, and confident operating both behind the scenes and on-site.Roles & ResponsibilitiesCommitmentEnd-to-End Experiential Ownership: Own projects from initial brief through to physical execution and post-installation review, ensuring all experiential elements are delivered to the highest standard.Retail & Activation Planning: Build and manage timelines that account for fabrication, logistics, shipping, and installation, not just creative development. Understand the realities of store environments and activation schedules.On-Site Delivery: Act as the on-the-ground lead for store visits, installations, and activations, ensuring execution aligns with creative intent and client expectations.Critical Path Management: Track dependencies across creative, production, and vendor workstreams, proactively identifying risks related to build feasibility, timelines, and site readiness.CreativityExperiential Briefing: Translate client requests into experience-led briefs that consider spatial design, customer journey, and in-store engagement.Physical Production Awareness: Ensure all creative outputs are fit for purpose in real-world environments, considering materials, durability, lighting, spatial constraints, and customer interaction.Quality Control (On-Site & Pre-Production): Review work not just on screen, but in context — including print proofs, prototypes, and installed environments.CollaborationCross-Functional Coordination: Work closely with fabricators, production partners, installers, and logistics teams to ensure seamless execution of physical experiences.Client Partnership: Become a trusted partner to the client, particularly on retail execution and in-store experience delivery, offering proactive solutions and operational clarity.Global-to-Local Translation: Bridge global creative direction with local store realities, ensuring concepts are adapted effectively for real-world rollout.CuriosityRetail Experience Insight: Stay informed on retail trends, shopper behaviour, and experiential innovation, bringing ideas that enhance in-store engagement.Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve installation workflows, vendor coordination, and retail rollout efficiency.CatalystOperational Excellence in Physical Delivery: Drive improvements in how experiential work is produced, delivered, and installed at scale.Problem Solving On the Ground: Act quickly and decisively when challenges arise during production or installation.CareAttention to Detail in Execution: Ensure every element, from material finishes to final placement in-store, meets the expected standard.Client Confidence: Be the person the client trusts to make things happen in the real world, not just on paper.Qualifications & Experience5–7 years of experience in experiential retail, brand activations, environmental design, or retail productionProven experience delivering physical retail experiences, installations, or live activationsStrong understanding of fabrication processes, materials, print production, and installation workflowsExperience managing vendors, fabricators, and on-site teamsAbility to manage projects that span creative development through to real-world executionExperience working within fast-paced retail or consumer brand environmentsStrong communication skills with the ability to manage both client relationships and production partnersFamiliarity with project management tools such as Airtable, SharePoint, or similarBehavioural CharacteristicsComfortable operating both strategically and on-site, switching between planning and executionCalm and solutions-focused in live, high-pressure environmentsHighly organised with strong attention to detail across physical and digital outputsProactive and accountable, with a strong sense of ownership over real-world deliveryCollaborative and communicative across global teams and local partnersPassionate about retail experiences and bringing brands to life in physical spacesThis position is performed in a remote/professional workspace environment. The role routinely requires the use of standard office equipment such as a computer, keyboard, mouse, monitor, and phone, as well as participation in virtual meetings.The employee must be able to sit for extended periods, communicate effectively, and view information on a screen. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.Reasonable accommodations may be made.ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, our HR team will partner with you on this process.FSLA Classification: Exempt, salaried