Project Director

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Project Director

Role: Full time, employed

Location: Silverstone, UK with global travel

Salary: Dependent on experience

Role Overview

Ignition Collective has been appointed to deliver a high-touch owner experience programme as part of a global brand’s broader experiences ecosystem. This programme places customers at the centre of the brand by delivering curated, premium experiences that build advocacy, loyalty, and community among vehicle owners.

Reporting into the Head of Events, the Project Director will serve as the senior programme owner responsible for the strategic development, leadership, and operational delivery of the Owner Experience Programme. The role will oversee the creation and management of a premium menu of experiences designed exclusively for owners, including driving experiences, motorsport hospitality, lifestyle events, and behind-the-scenes access to the brand. The Project Director will also have one direct report, Event Manager, who will support operational delivery and on-site execution.

Working closely with the brand’s Customer Experience, Marketing, and Racing teams, the Project Director will lead the overall programme strategy, stakeholder alignment, and operational delivery across the full lifecycle of each experience. The role is accountable for ensuring that every programme touchpoint delivers a world-class, white-glove hospitality standard aligned with the premium nature of the ownership community.

This position requires a highly experienced programme leader capable of managing complex experiential programmes, including drive events, simulator sessions, Formula 1 and sports car hospitality – while overseeing senior stakeholders and high-value customers, and maintaining operational excellence and commercial accountability. As the client is US-based, flexibility to work across different time zones is essential.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a highly experienced programme and event leader who thrives in fastpaced,high-performance environments and takes genuine ownership of complex client programmes. They combine strategic thinking with operational excellence, capable of shaping premium experiences while also ensuring flawless delivery on the ground. They are confident managing senior stakeholders, navigating complex organisational environments and leading multidisciplinary teams. With strong commercial awareness, attention to detail and a calm, solutions-oriented mindset, they bring professionalism, resilience and accountability to every aspect of programme delivery. A passion for premium automotive, motorsport or brand experiences and a commitment to delivering exceptional owner experiences will be essential for success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Ownership & Strategic Leadership

• Own and lead the end-to-end delivery of the Owner Experience Programme, ensuring the programme meets strategic, operational and customer experience objectives
• Act as the primary programme owner within the agency, accountable for overall programme success, quality, budget control and stakeholder satisfaction
• Define and drive programme strategy, ensuring alignment with the brand’s experiences ecosystem, customer journey objectives and brand positioning
• Lead the planning and delivery of the programme’s curated menu of exclusive experiences including driving programmes, lifestyle experiences, motorsport hospitality and behind-the-scenes access
• Provide strategic leadership and direction to internal teams and suppliers responsible for programme delivery
• Serve as the senior escalation point for operational challenges and programme decision making
• Responsible for a fleet of vehicles based in the US including maintenance and servicing

Experience Development & Creative Direction

• Lead the conceptualisation and development of exclusive owner experiences designed to deliver exceptional brand immersion
• Ensure all experiences align with the performance and heritage of the brand and its broader motorsport or performance narrative
• Design and develop elevated experiences, including adapting existing events to create exclusive programming and hospitality for owners
• Translate broader brand experiences into tailored owner moments through bespoke programming, curated hospitality and behind-the-scenes access
• Oversee development of driving curriculum, event programming and experiential storytelling
• Ensure experiences remain scalable, flexible and adaptable as the programme evolves

Stakeholder & Partner Leadership

• Act as the senior agency lead and primary liaison with the global brand’s programme leadership, marketing teams and relevant stakeholders
• Own stakeholder alignment across internal teams, agency partners and programme suppliers
• Coordinate closely with programme management teams and external partners to ensure seamless programme delivery
• Maintain strong collaboration with the owner “Assistant” team responsible for onboarding and registration
• Provide regular programme updates, strategic insights and performance reporting to stakeholders

Programme Operations & Delivery

• Take full responsibility for the planning, operational delivery and execution of all owner experiences
• Oversee logistics, production, venue coordination, hospitality delivery and customer management across the programme
• Lead and supervise event teams responsible for on-site operations and owner engagement
• Manage the operational integration of owner experiences into larger events where required
• Ensure all events deliver the highest standards of operational excellence and premium service

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management

• Own and oversee programme compliance, ensuring all activities operate in accordance with legal, insurance and safety requirements
• Ensure comprehensive risk assessments, safety planning, crisis comms, and operational protocols are developed and implemented across all experiences
• Manage participant waivers, insurance documentation and compliance procedures in line with programme requirements
• Work with venues, instructors and operational partners to ensure all safety procedures and regulatory requirements are met
• Maintain documentation and processes required to meet audit and procurement standards

Customer Experience & Hospitality Leadership

• Ensure all programme experiences deliver exceptional white-glove hospitality appropriate for a high-value ownership audience
• Design and oversee the end-to-end owner journey from registration through event participation and post-event engagement
• Oversee the development of personalised itineraries, welcome materials, gifting programmes and hospitality elements
• Create operational handbooks, training manuals and service standards for the event delivery team
• Lead team training and event briefings to ensure consistent premium service delivery

Budget & Financial Management

• Own programme financial management including budget development, forecasting and cost control
• Manage programme budgets within the agency finance platform from proposal creation through purchase orders, cost tracking and final reconciliation
• Oversee third-party sourcing, contracting and supplier financial management
• Ensure all programme activity aligns with procurement policies and approved budgets
• Identify opportunities for efficiencies and cost optimisation while maintaining experience quality

Reporting, Insights & continuous Improvement

• Own programme reporting and performance analysis, including operational metrics and owner participation insights
• Lead bi-weekly operational meetings and monthly programme reviews with stakeholders
• Monitor programme KPIs and recommend improvements to enhance owner engagement and programme performance

Skills, Knowledge & Experience (Essential) Senior Experience

• 6+ years’ experience in motorsport events, experiential marketing, sports marketing, sponsorship or integrated agency environments
• Proven experience managing large-scale, complex motorsport/automotive event programmes with multiple concurrent workstreams
• Experience working with senior stakeholders across global brands, rights holders or strategic partners
• Demonstrated track record leading high-value client programmes from strategy through delivery
• Experience in directly managing line reports – including responsibility of deliverables, job development and mentoring

Leadership & Programme Management

• Strong leadership capability with experience managing multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to oversee multiple operational workstreams simultaneously
• Ability to translate strategic objectives into clear operational delivery frameworks

Commercial & Financial Capability

• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing programme budgets, forecasts and financial reconciliations
• Experience managing supplier relationships, cost control and programme profitability

Compliance & Governance

• Strong understanding of programme governance, compliance and safety planning requirements
• Experience ensuring programme delivery aligns with contractual obligations and operational policies

Cultural & Sector Fit

• Expertise in motorsport, automotive or premium experiential environments
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced environments with travel and non-traditional working schedules
• Ability to work across multiple time zones to seamlessly support a US client
• High levels of accountability, professionalism and personal ownership

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to lead and own a high-profile owner experience programme for a global brand. You will be at the centre of designing and delivering exclusive, high-touch experiences that bring owners closer to the brand through driving programmes, lifestyle events, motorsport hospitality, and behind-the-scenes access. Working in a fast-paced, global environment, you will shape and oversee the strategy, creative direction, and operational delivery of experiences that delight owners, strengthen engagement, and elevate the brand.

We pride ourselves on being a trusted partner and an extension of our clients’ teams, as well as a collaborative and innovative agency that values its people and their expertise. You will be part of a dynamic, close-knit team, leading a programme that combines creativity, operational excellence, and premium service standards. If you are a strategic, hands-on leader who thrives on ownership, delivering exceptional client programmes, and making things happen, we want to hear from you.

What You Will Get from Us

• The opportunity to make an impact and develop your career
• An innovative and friendly workplace with a team we’re proud to be part of
• A flexible office and working from home policy – minimum of 3 days in the office
• Pension scheme
• Workplace benefits
• 25 days holiday + public holidays + winter break
• Two wellness days per year
• Access to weekly performance, health and wellness sessions and workshops
• Quarterly team coaching sessions
• Your birthday off
• Ongoing professional training and development