Salary: USD 85000.00 - 105000.00 annually

Category: Artist/Label Services

Director, Live Events (Dirtybird Focus)
EMPIRE is a premier and dynamic music company that prides itself on the development and support of independent artists. We are a rapidly growing firm that has been making waves in the music industry, with an extensive portfolio that spans multiple genres and reaches audiences worldwide. We have become the largest independent record label in the U.S., with a significant global presence covering Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, and North and South America. We keep ourselves busy with a large range of music-related services from original content and marketing to distribution and recordings. 
Our commitment to artistic creativity, innovation, and progressive business solutions forms the foundation of our corporate culture. We believe in fostering talent, not just in our artists but also within our professional teams. As we continue to expand, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey.
The Role Remix: EMPIRE is looking for a highly organized and commercially minded Director, Live Events to join our downtown San Francisco office. This role will report into the General Manager, Dance and will lead operational and financial execution across Dirtybird’s live experiences and brand activations.
This role will focus primarily on Dirtybird overseeing event production, vibe curation, P&L management, vendor partnerships, sponsorship development, and local community activation while supporting strategic initiatives across EMPIRE’s Dance division. The candidate will be conceptualizing, orchestrating, and executing showcases and events globally, with an emphasis on events for one of our marquee labels, Dirtybird.
The ideal candidate is more than a coordinator. They are culturally fluent, music connected, and capable of building sustainable event ecosystems that generate value, strengthen brand equity, and deepen community engagement particularly in San Francisco.
Event Strategy & Execution
• Plan and execute Dirtybird showcases, club nights, branded experiences, and community activations. Travel will be expected to such events.
• Ensure events reflect Dirtybird’s identity, culture, and audience expectation
• Collaborate with marketing and creative teams to align event execution with broader brand strategy
• Community & Local Activation (San Francisco Focus)
• Develop recurring grassroots activations such as social clubs, creative meetups, and lifestyle events
• Build partnerships with culturally aligned spaces and community organizations
• Expand Dirtybird’s footprint beyond nightlife into lifestyle-driven engagement
• Strengthen Dirtybird’s presence in the Bay Area through consistent local touchpoints
• Support global dance showcases and strategic live initiatives (ex album rollout driven event)
• Assist with cross-label collaboration opportunities
• Provide financial modeling and operational support for EMPIRE dance campaigns
• Contribute to international event expansion strategies
Financial Ownership & P&L Management
• Build, manage, and report on full event P&Ls
• Develop budgets that prioritize profitability without compromising experience
• Identify cost efficiencies and revenue expansion opportunities
• Deliver post-event financial reporting with actionable insights
• Sponsorship & Revenue Development
• Identify, pitch, and secure aligned brand sponsorships
• Develop scalable sponsorship packages tied to Dirtybird’s audience and activations
• Manage sponsor deliverables and measure ROI
• Build long-term relationships with brand partners in lifestyle, tech, beverage, fitness, and culture
• Vendor & Partner Relationship Management
• Establish and maintain relationships with venues, production vendors, suppliers, and local promoters
• Negotiate contracts and oversee execution
• Ensure accountability, transparency, and timely deliverables
• Act as primary operational liaison across event stakeholders
Project Management & Reporting
• Maintain detailed production timelines, budgets, and cross-functional workflows
• Proactively identify risks and operational gaps
• Conduct post-event performance analysis, including financial reporting and audience engagement metrics
• Present insights and recommendations to leadership
Key Notes for Success:
• 3 to 6 years of live event management experience
• 2 to 5  years of direct event budget and P&L management experience
• BA degree or equivalent experience
• A Dirtybird Fan who has attended events and is aware of core values
• Proven ability to manage vendors and negotiate contracts
• Deep network of various live event vendors covering production, audio and creative
• Experience securing or supporting sponsorship deals preferred
• Strong organizational and financial literacy skills
• Deep understanding of dance and electronic music culture
• Strong San Francisco network preferred
• Must be based in San Francisco Bay Area [or willing to relocate]
**Bonus Beats: **
• Experience building community-driven activations outside traditional club settings
• Existing relationships with Bay Area venues and promoters
• Sponsorship sales or brand partnership experience
• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong ownership mentality

Pay Range: $85,000 - $105,000/annual salary+ benefits + discretionary bonus + profit sharing program
The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
At EMPIRE, we value diversity and always treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
If you are passionate about the music industry, and looking for a challenging role in a fast-paced, innovative environment, apply today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Perks Playlist:
• Competitive Compensation Package
• Competitive Benefits Package
• Company Paid Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Company Paid Health Savings Account (HSA) Contribution
• Healthcare Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Time Off (Holidays, Vacation, and Sick) 
• Company 401(k) Plan
• Wellness Resources
• Commuter Allowance
• Cell Phone Allowance

**About EMPIRE: **Founded in 2010 by Bay Area native Ghazi, EMPIRE is currently leading through its innovative and progressive approach to the digital music era across its label, distribution and publishing arms. 
With its focus on early stage artist development, the San Francisco based company has been instrumental in identifying future icons and launching the careers of both Multi-platinum and Grammy Award winning artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Fireboy DML, Yung Bleu, Migos, Asake, XXXtentacion, and Anderson .Paak to name a few. After this early success, EMPIRE was quickly regarded as a tastemaker in the industry and premier independent record label.  
More than a decade in, EMPIRE continues to grow – expanding the Publishing division with a partnership with superproducer Hit-Boy and his Surf Club collective and acquiring Dirtybird Records in 2022 to amplify the Dance arm. EMPIRE has expanded the team throughout the globe on the African continent, Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. With the company and roster excelling at a breakneck pace, EMPIRE has effectively disrupted a stale business model by bringing its energy, expertise, and acumen to its artists and labels. 
Through crafting bespoke deals that are always in favor of the artist, EMPIRE is able to form a true partnership with each artist and label on its roster. Coupled with their unique software for analytics, recoupment, and royalties, which is available to every partner, the company offers a level of transparency unprecedented in the music industry.

About Dirtybird: Launched in 2005, Dirtybird is one of the most iconic house and techno label imprints. For 20 years, Dirtybird has highlighted the best and brightest dance talents, including today’s stars like FISHER, Justin Martin, Walker & Royce, VNSSA, Catz N Dogz, Black V Neck, and hundreds more.
Dirtybird has nearly 400 releases on its main label, hosted beloved events like their Campout festival and traveling BBQ series, and built a dedicated and ever-growing fanbase. In that time, Dirtybird has racked countless accomplishments, like being named Mixmag’s ‘Label of the Decade’ in 2017 and profiled for DJ Mag’s North American cover feature in 2020.
Now part of EMPIRE Dance since its acquisition in 2022, Dirtybird continues to bring their off-kilter beats and quirky spirit to the masses. In 2025, Dirtybird partnered with Northern Nights for the return of their flagship festival, Dirtybird Campout, and will host the second edition on July 17–19, 2026.

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Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.