Trade Show Event Manager

The Role

The External Event Marketing Manager is responsible for leading the execution of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 third-party event portfolio. This role serves as a key member of the External Event Strategy team, translating event strategies into flawless onsite execution and measurable business results. The manager partners closely with Sales, Product, Partner Marketing, Communications, and agency teams to deliver exceptional event experiences while owning planning, operations, logistics, staffing, and onsite production. 

Acting as a versatile "pinch hitter" across programs, this individual develops planning documents, builds scalable event processes, manages agency partners, oversees ancillary event production, and serves as an onsite leader responsible for execution excellence from planning through post-event reporting. Success in this role requires strong project management, attention to detail, cross-functional collaboration, and a willingness to take ownership and lead under pressure. 
The Main Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end execution for Tier 1 and Tier 2 third-party events, ensuring programs are delivered on time, on budget, and aligned to business objectives. 

- Support the External Event Strategy lead in executing portfolio plans and bringing event strategies to life across key industry programs. 

- Own event planning documentation, timelines, project plans, run-of-shows, staffing schedules, and execution workstreams. 

- Serve as the primary day-to-day contact and manager for event agencies, vendors, venues, and production partners. 

- Lead onsite event execution, managing logistics, stakeholder engagement, staffing, issue resolution, and overall event operations. 

- Develop and manage event staffing plans, ensuring resources are effectively deployed before, during, and after events. 

- Produce ancillary events, including customer dinners, executive roundtables, receptions, hospitality programs, meeting experiences, and partner engagements that complement event objectives. 

- Coordinate cross-functional teams including Sales, Product Marketing, Communications, Brand, IT, and Partner Marketing to drive seamless execution and customer experiences. 

- Create and maintain scalable event processes, templates, and planning tools to improve operational efficiency across the portfolio. 

- Manage event budgets, timelines, and vendor deliverables while ensuring adherence to brand standards and organizational requirements. 

- Track event results and contribute to post-event reporting, insights, and recommendations for future program improvements. 

- Identify opportunities to enhance attendee engagement and deliver innovative activations that extend beyond traditional booth experiences.

What We Look For in a Candidate
- Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of professional experience, or 6+ years with a Master's degree. 

- 5+ years of experience executing large-scale third-party events, conferences, trade shows, or experiential marketing programs. 

- Experience supporting major industry events such as AWS re: Invent, Microsoft Ignite, Cisco Live, Gartner Symposium, Mobile World Congress, or similar programs. 

- Proven ability to manage multiple complex event workstreams simultaneously with exceptional attention to detail. 

- Experience developing project plans, staffing schedules, run-of-show documents, production timelines, and operational frameworks. 

- Experience managing event agencies, vendors, production partners, and venue relationships. 

- Demonstrated success leading onsite event operations and serving as the primary event producer in high-pressure environments. 

- Experience planning and executing ancillary events including customer receptions, executive engagements, hospitality programs, and networking experiences. 

- Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills. 

- Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across Sal