Managing Director (m/f/d) - DLG North America

DLG e.V.; Canada; On-site; CAD 295,000 - 366,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Strategic leadership role

Influence on growth strategy

Autonomy with strategic direction

Global agri-food network access

Competitive compensation

Job summary

DLG Markets seeks a senior leader to take full accountability for North America’s strategic, operational, and financial performance. You will expand platform business and position DLG as a premier agri-food partner across Canada, the USA, and Mexico, interfacing with the global DLG network.

The role requires a strong entrepreneurial mindset, proven leadership, and a track record in business development, with fluency in English and a readiness to travel across North America.

Qualifications

• University degree in business administration, agricultural sciences, or a related field.
• Proven senior leadership experience with full business responsibility.
• Strong entrepreneurial mindset and demonstrated success in business development and growth environments.
• Experience in trade fairs, platform businesses, or the agri-food sector is a strong advantage.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Fluent English required; additional languages are an advantage.
• High willingness to travel across North America.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement the long-term strategy for North America, including growth, partnerships, and market positioning.
• Develop and scale existing trade fair formats and platforms while launching new formats tailored to regional market needs.
• Identify and execute strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and potential acquisitions.
• Connect North American stakeholders with global DLG platforms and drive internationalization.
• Build and maintain strong relations with industry leaders and key accounts from North America.
• Build and maintain relationships with government bodies and associations.
• Ensure operational excellence in exhibitions, conferences, and business platforms.
• Lead and structure a high-performing team with clear accountability.
• Take full P&L responsibility, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance management.

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategic thinking

Business development

Financial acumen

Negotiation

Communication

Presentation skills

Travel willingness

Education

University degree in business administration or related field

Job description

Location: Ontario, Canada | Responsibility: North America (Canada, USA, Mexico)

Job Type: Full-Time / Pay Type: Salaried / Contract Type: unlimited employment

DLG Markets is a global partner for companies and organisations in the agrifood sector and a leader in the organisation of trade fairs and conferences worldwide. Our strength lies in an international network, innovative industry solutions and all-round expertise in the agrifood sector.

DLG Markets offers platforms for sustainable business development and international networking. Together with regional partners, we develop and realise customised event formats and projects that are precisely tailored to the needs and markets.

To find out more, visit www.dlg-markets.com

Your role

• Full responsibility for the strategic, operational, and financial performance of DLG North America
• Expansion of the platform business and positioning of DLG as a leading partner for the agri-food industry in North America
• Key interface between the North American organization and the global DLG network

Key responsibilities

• Define and implement the long-term strategy for North America, including growth, partnerships, and market positioning
• Develop and scale existing trade fair formats and platforms while launching new formats tailored to regional market needs
• Identify and execute strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and potential acquisitions
• Connect North American stakeholders with global DLG platforms and drive internationalization
• Build and maintain strong relations with industry leaders and key accounts from North America
• Build and maintain relationships with government bodies and associations
• Ensure operational excellence in exhibitions, conferences, and business platforms
• Lead and structure a high-performing team with clear accountability
• Take full P&L responsibility, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance management

Your profile

• University degree in business administration, agricultural sciences, or a related field
• Proven senior leadership experience with full business responsibility
• Strong entrepreneurial mindset and demonstrated success in business development and growth environments
• Experience in trade fairs, platform businesses, or the agri-food sector is a strong advantage
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Fluent English required; additional languages are an advantage
• High willingness to travel across North America

What we offer

• A highly entrepreneurial leadership role with significant strategic impact
• Direct influence on the international growth strategy of DLG
• Opportunity to build and scale a leading platform business in North America
• Access to a strong global network in the agri-food industry and collaboration with an experienced international leadership team
• High degree of autonomy combined with clear strategic direction

What we offer

• This is a posting for an existing, open vacancy from January 2027 on.
• Compensation: This role exceeds the $200,000 threshold; compensation will be discussed during the interview process.
• All interviewed candidates will be notified of their application status within 45 days of their interview.

DLG Markets is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, ethnicity, or background. Canadian work experience is not required.