Strategic Business Development Manager

Easyfairs; Brussel; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Car or mobility budget

Lunch vouchers

Pension contributions

Job summary

Easyfairs is seeking a Strategic Business Development Manager for Empack, a leading packaging event brand in Europe. You will shape brand strategy and coordinate regional execution with Group leadership and regional teams across Europe to sustain growth and relevance.

You will identify growth opportunities, manage key accounts, and align cross-regional plans with content strategy, speakers and industry innovation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in strategic portfolio or project management, strategic business development, events management, or management consulting.
• Experience or knowledge of packaging or B2B events is a plus but not required.
• Excellent networking and stakeholder management; able to influence without direct authority.
• Strong project management, self-structure and prioritisation.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the global Empack brand strategy and track market trends.
• Co-create regional event strategic plans and follow through on execution.
• Build sector expertise and identify themes for content, speakers and innovation.
• Ensure Empack is attractive for visitors and share best practices for features like start-up zones and awards.
• Safeguard the Empack brand across channels and represent it to associations and partners.
• Foster collaboration across regional teams with workshops and visits to events.
• Drive cross-selling strategies for international exhibitors and manage key accounts.
• Identify and develop new launch, M&A opportunities with other Easyfairs brands.

Skills

Strategic PM

Business development

Events management

Management consulting

Job description

Are you ready to shape the future of one of Europe's leading packaging event brands? Join one of the world's Top-20 exhibition organisers and drive the global development of our Empack brand.

With around 30,000 visitors over 11 locations in Benelux, UK, Sweden, DACH, Iberia and Algeria, Empack is a global brand that brings packaging communities together on a national level. Empack is run by Easyfairs, a global event organiser running 110+ market‑leading events across 16 countries and recognised 7 years in a row as one of Belgium’s Best Managed Companies by Deloitte. We’re also proud recipients of “Great Place to Work” awards across all our key markets.

Your mission:

As Strategic Business Development Manager for Empack, you are the growth engine and global ambassador of the brand. Spanning from global brand strategy to regional execution, you’ll work with Group leadership and regional teams across Europe; you’ll keep the concept sharp and relevant, spot what holds growth back locally, and turn that into practical action plans. You represent and commercialise Empack towards key actors of the international packaging community.

Key responsibilities:

• Own and evolve the global Empack brand strategy, keeping it aligned with market and industry developments. Track competitors and market trends and ensure that Empack stays ahead
• Co-create regional event strategic plans: identify what holds back growth at local events, build action plans with the teams and follow through on execution.
• Build a strong sector expertise and identify key themes for the content programme, top speakers and relevant industry innovation.
• Ensure Empack events are attractive for visitors, and share best practices on special event features such as start‑up zones, AI zones or awards.
• Safeguard the Empack brand across all channels and represent it towards international associations, media and partners.
• Foster collaboration across regional teams by organising workshops and visits to competing international events.
• Design and drive the cross‑selling strategy for international exhibitors participating in multiple Empack locations and manage key account relationships.
• Identify and develop new launch, M&A opportunities and commercial synergies with other Easyfairs brands

What you bring:

• 5+ years in a strategic portfolio or project management role, strategic business development role, events management or in management consulting
• Experience or knowledge of the packaging industry (or comparable sectors such as printing & labelling, food & beverage, logistics) or B2B events is a plus but not a strict requirement
• Excellent networking and stakeholder management skills: you influence and enable teams to deliver results without direct authority
• Strong project management, self-structure and prioritisation skills
• A strategic and at the same time commercial mindset, results-oriented and a high degree of drive
• Proficiency in English; additional European languages are an asset

We offer:

• A varied role that combines a strategic, hands‑on and commercial angle with real responsibility, high visibility towards Group leadership, growth opportunities and regular mentoring & training
• Competitive package including performance‑based year‑end bonus, car or mobility budget, lunch vouchers, pension contributions, and more
• A dynamic, entrepreneurial and award‑winning culture that cares about sustainability, diversity, inclusion and psychological safety
• A stimulating and social role, with exposure to different regions, regular travel to events and internal workshops in a growth‑oriented and fun working environment

We understand that applicants can be put off applying for a job if they feel they don't fit all of the requirements.

Here at Easyfairs, we are passionate about the power of fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for our team to thrive in. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Easyfairs organises and hosts events, bringing communities together to visit the future.

We currently organise 110 market‑leading event titles in 16 countries (Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States) and manage eight event venues in Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden (Antwerp, Ghent, Mechelen‑Brussels North, Namur, Gorinchem, Hardenberg, Malmö and Stockholm).

We are passionate about “easifying” the life of our customers and increasing the return on investment and return on time for professional communities through our all‑in formulas, advanced technology and customer‑centric approach. Our digital features and initiatives provide these communities with excellent opportunities to network effectively and do business throughout the year.

The Easyfairs Group employs 900 highly committed talents, deploys the best marketing and technology tools and develops brands with a strong appeal to our stakeholder communities.

For the 7th year running, Deloitte conferred “Best Managed Company” status on Easyfairs in 2025.

Easyfairs is part of the top20 world’s largest exhibition organisers, according to the STAX annual ranking.

Visit the future with Easyfairs.