Director of Events and Experiences at Perplexity (San Francisco, CA)
Perplexity· San Francisco, CA· $185k–$240k·
Role details
Perplexity at a glance
AI-powered answer engine that returns real-time, cited answers, now expanding into an agentic browser and on-device agents.
Perplexity runs an AI answer engine that searches the live web and returns direct, cited answers instead of a page of links. It has extended that core into an AI browser (Comet), an on-device agent (Computer), a developer API, and vertical tools like patent search.
$1.7B raised · latest: Series E extension · $200M · 2025 (reported $20B valuation) · backed by Accel, IVP, NEA, SoftBank Vision Fund 2
Job description
Perplexity is seeking a Director of Events to own our external events worldwide: the ones we host, the stages we speak on, and the ones we sponsor. You will set the strategy, run production, manage the budget, and build the team. If you have produced a flagship and a dinner in the same week, know what a good sponsorship deal looks like, and want to build an events function from the ground up, this role is for you.
Responsibilities
- Own events. Hosted, speaking, sponsored. Strategy, budget, production, results.
- Set the calendar. Decide which events we run, which we speak at, and which we skip.
- Produce hosted events. Launches, dinners, summits, roadshows. Concept, programming, venue, vendors, run of show.
- Run the speaking program. Pick the stages. Prepare the speakers.
- Manage sponsorships. Negotiate terms, design our footprint, and account for the spend.
- Run field events with Sales. Get the right customers in the room. Make sure someone follows up.
- Be Perplexity. Our events should look and feel like our product. Work with Brand and Creative on every one.
- Lead the team. Equal parts IC and manager.
- Build the system. Playbooks, event tiers, intake, vendors, agencies, budgets.
- Measure. Attendance, coverage, pipeline, signups. Know which events worked and stop doing the ones that didn't.
- Be on site. For the events that matter, you are in the room.
Qualifications
- 12+ years producing events, including large hosted events, sponsorships, and field programs, ideally in-house at a technology company.
- Has built or led an events team.
- Has owned large budgets, agency relationships, and vendor contracts.
- Has negotiated sponsorships and knows a bad deal when they see one.
- Has run an executive speaking program: selecting stages, preparing speakers, managing the day.
- Knows production: run of show, staging, AV, registration, staffing, security, permits.
- Drives measurement. Has built event attribution and tracked brand sentiment, and reports what each event returned.
- Can partner with Sales, Product, Comms, Brand, Finance, Legal, and executives.
- Power user of AI tools. Most of your work already runs through them, and you can show us how.
- Based in San Francisco or New York. Willing to travel internationally.
Why work at Perplexity
- Culture & Environment: “Thoughtful support” culture with emphasis on craftsmanship, ownership, entrepreneurship, scholarship, and partnership. Hybrid schedule (4 days in-office) based on location.
- Perks: Daily catered meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner in office), office snacks, ride home program, commuter benefits, home office reimbursement, fitness classes, gym memberships.
- Compensation & Benefits: Competitive salary and equity packages; retirement plans with company match; flexible PTO; holiday shutdown between Christmas and New Year; 12 weeks paid bonding leave; comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Relocation & Visa Support: Relocation assistance and visa/green card sponsorship for eligible roles. Partners with immigration firm to support the process.
- Engineering Excellence: “Technical assessment for relevant roles”; values hands-on contribution, broad skill sets, and merit-based evaluation. Frequent Tech Talks and exposure to greenfield AI research problems.