OluKai Events Manager

Who We Are:

At Olu Kai, we build premium products for the ocean lifestyle. Our footwear is created using the highest quality materials and crafted into beautiful, functional and incredibly comfortable designs that reflect the spirit of the ocean lifestyle we all enjoy.

We are committed to creating quality products for our customers while leaving the smallest footprint possible on the planet. Our company philosophy is to be environmentally responsible as manufacturers and to pledge Olu Kai to actively support and work for a clean environment and a better quality of life.

Our customers and staff embody the connection that exists between people and the ocean, it is our Culture. We want to build a team of individuals who embrace this culture, and have a passion for providing premium products and service to our customers.

The Marketing team is responsible for creating moments of connection-from national brand experiences to hyper-local community engagement. We bring the brand to life through events, storytelling, and immersive experiences grounded in Aloha, craft, and culture.

About the Role:

You are a road warrior! You love being on-site at events and serving as the face of the brand. The Event Manager is responsible for planning, producing, and executing Olu Kai's most important experiential moments: consumer-facing events, trade shows, sales meetings, owned retail activations, and key wholesale account experiences. This role sits at the intersection of trade marketing, community engagement, and commercial execution, ensuring every touchpoint reflects Olu Kai's premium standard and cultural values.

This person will lead event strategy, logistics, vendor management, on-site execution, and cross-functional coordination to deliver world-class experiences. You will build and maintain strong relationships across our retail, wholesale, marketing, and sales organizations-while representing Olu Kai authentically within the community.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:

1. Event Strategy, Planning & Execution

• Lead planning, budgeting, calendaring, and logistics and onsite presence for all major Olu Kai brand events-including consumer events, cultural programs, community gatherings, and premium experiences.
• Define event objectives, KPIs, and success measures that align with brand and commercial goals.
• Build and manage annual event roadmap across Brand Marketing, Retail, Wholesale, and Sales.

2. Consumer Events & Brand Experiences

• Concept, produce, and execute immersive consumer-facing events that reflect Olu Kai's active lifestyle and premium positioning.
• Manage all logistics & onsite presence including locations, permits, vendors, F&B, production, staffing, creative, and run-of-how.
• Ensure every event represents the premium aesthetic and values of Olu Kai.

3. Sales Meetings & Trade Shows

• Own logistical planning and on-site execution (set up & tear down) of sales meetings, regional meetings, national sales summits, and major trade shows.
• Coordinate with Sales, Product, Creative, and Marketing teams to ensure seamless presentations, buildouts, samples, and attendee experience.
• Maintain timelines, vendor relationships, booth assets, and shipping logistics.

4. Owned Retail Activation Support

• Support store openings, local events, seasonal programs, product launch events, and in-store experiences-including custom activations, artisans, and community partnerships.
• Partner with Retail leadership to ensure stores feel connected to brand moments and community culture.

5. Wholesale Account Support

• Support key wholesale partners to deliver premium shop-in-shop events, trunk shows, and brand experiences.
• Support account-specific initiatives that deepen partnership and increase sell-through.

6. Cross-Functional Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Work closely with Marketing, Creative, Sales, Retail, Operations, and Product teams to align efforts and deliver cohesive brand experiences.
• Manage event budgets, invoicing, contracts, and vendor negotiation.
• Provide clear post-event recaps, performance metrics, and learnings.

Requirements and

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, Event Management, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience planning and executing events for a consumer brand, retailer, or experiential agency.
• Minimum of 40% travel required
• Proven experience delivering high-quality brand activations and complex multi-day events.
• Strong vendor management, contract negotiation, and budget management skills.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple events simultaneously.
• Ability to travel for events, including extended programs in Hawaiʻi and key markets.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and calm under pressure.
• Passion for the ocean lifestyle, Hawaiʻi culture, and the values of Aloha.
• Experience collaborating with creative, retail, and sales teams is a strong plus.

Location & Office Structure:
This is an in-office hybrid…