Conference Manager, Exhibit Operations

Gartner; Egham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Gartner is seeking a proactive Exhibit Operations Manager to lead sponsorship delivery and conference planning across Europe and the Middle East. You will guide a growing global team, collaborate with partners, and drive attendee-exhibitor engagement with measurable KPIs.

You will optimize costs, manage product inventory, and scale revenue across multiple B2B conferences. Join Gartner to shape exhibitor products, forecast financials, and deliver high-impact events with exceptional execution and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher preferred.
• 5-7 years in event management, event marketing or tradeshow management.
• Track record of revenue-driving sponsorship products in live events.
• Project management on complex programs with multiple variables and dependencies.
• Strong ability to improve business processes and drive efficiency.
• Proven leadership and talent development of diverse teams.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with senior-level stakeholders and agency partners.
• Strong communication skills for presenting to audiences and motivating teams.
• Fluency in finance and budget management for events.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% to conferences in Europe, the Middle East and domestically.

Responsibilities

• Oversee sponsorship delivery and conference planning for Gartner’s C-level conference portfolio in Europe and the Middle East.
• Lead a rapidly expanding global team with feedback and coaching.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure successful execution and build trust.
• Create engagement strategies for attendees and exhibitors; define KPIs and analyze results.
• Negotiate with suppliers and manage contracts to optimize margins.
• Innovate delivery processes to improve efficiency and output.
• Manage product inventory and projection modeling for exhibitor products; drive revenue.
• Develop risk assessments and scale initiatives with leadership input.
• Attend conferences as onsite lead, managing schedules and staff.

Skills

Event management

Leadership

Budget management

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

Role Purpose:

We are seeking a passionate, collaborative, and effective manager with experience in conferences, events or trade shows to join the Exhibit Operations team. Key performance measures for the role include exhibit and sponsorship retention, exhibit and sponsorship revenue growth and associate retention and satisfaction. This role will be responsible for the development and management of global exhibitor products across multiple B2B conferences. Biggest areas of impact include:

• Exhibit/Sponsorship product delivery & inventory management
• Develop strategies for engagement between conference attendees and exhibitors
• Collaborate on strategic projects and identify key initiatives with leadership
• Enhance financial forecasting for scalability and profit margin growth
• Establish positive relationships with internal and external partners

Role Purpose:

We are seeking a passionate, collaborative, and effective manager with experience in conferences, events or trade shows to join the Exhibit Operations team. Key performance measures for the role include exhibit and sponsorship retention, exhibit and sponsorship revenue growth and associate retention and satisfaction. This role will be responsible for the development and management of global exhibitor products across multiple B2B conferences. Biggest areas of impact include:

• Exhibit/Sponsorship product delivery & inventory management
• Develop strategies for engagement between conference attendees and exhibitors
• Collaborate on strategic projects and identify key initiatives with leadership
• Enhance financial forecasting for scalability and profit margin growth
• Establish positive relationships with internal and external partners

What you will do:

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversee all aspects of sponsorship delivery and conference planning process of Gartner’s C-level portfolio of conferences in Europe and the Middle East
• Lead and inspire a rapidly expanding and diverse global team, with a focus on continuous feedback and coaching.
• Liaise and collaborate with key partners and team members (both internal and external) to ensure successful execution; build and maintain good relationships by establishing trust.
• Create and execute strategies for attendee and exhibitor engagement by generating valuable interactions for both exhibitors and attendees. Create KPIs and analyze data to evaluate success of implemented strategies.
• Effectively lead supplier management and contract negotiations for select vendors that support conference delivery focusing on reducing expenses to improve margins.
• Consistently innovate conference delivery processes and procedures to create efficiencies and improve output.
• Manage product inventory and projection modeling for various exhibit and sponsorship products. Create and maintain product strategies to drive maximum revenue.
• Develop and present risk assessments for various components of exhibitor products based on shifts in market demand or capacity.
• Partner with Exhibit Operations leadership team on projects by providing feedback and maximize output to scale the business.
• Analyze data to develop metrics-driven exhibitor retention and attendee engagement strategy to determine best course of action on various conference elements.
• Attend conferences as the onsite lead for in-person delivery including managing the production schedule, conference staff and liaising with agency partners and vendors.

Expected Results:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of Gartner’s business including the value proposition for attendees and exhibitors.
• Become an expert on Gartner’s exhibitor products, pricing strategy and conference financials.
• Achieve operational excellence and execute conferences on time, within budget and with great attention to detail.
• Become a respected leader and mentor across Gartner and build a strong personal brand reputation.

Key Contacts:

• Internal Contacts - Conference Client Success, Conference Logistics, Conference Financial & Future Planning, Program Management, Conference Strategic Planning, Conference Business Solutions
• External Contacts - Third party suppliers and contractors

What you will need:

• Bachelor's Degree or higher preferred
• 5-7 Years Event Management, Event Marketing and/or Tradeshow Management
• Track record of creating or fulfilling revenue driving sponsorship products in complex live-event environments
• Project management experience on detailed programs with multiple variables and dependencies
• Proven ability to improve business processes resulting in increased efficiency and productivity
• Proven management of teams and talent development
• Effective people management and leadership skills with a passion for a collaborative work environment
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills especially with senior level professionals, cross-functionally and with agency partners
• Creative, innovative and strategic thinker with a strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to adapt, implement, manage change and strive for continuous improvement
• Strong oral & written communication skills with experience presenting to audiences with the purpose of motivating or persuading
• Excel in finance and budget management
• Motivated team player with desire to learn and grow
• Ability to thrive in high pressure situations and meet deadlines
• Ability to travel up to 20% to Conferences domestically and regionally in EMEA

#ConferencesOperations

Who are we?

At Gartner, Inc. (NYSE:IT), we guide the leaders who shape the world.

Our mission relies on expert analysis and bold ideas to deliver actionable, objective business and technology insights, helping enterprise leaders and their teams succeed with their mission-critical priorities.

Since our founding in 1979, we’ve grown to 20,000 associates globally who support over 13,000 client enterprises in ~90 countries and territories. We do important, interesting and substantive work that matters. That’s why we hire associates with the intellectual curiosity, energy and drive to want to make a difference. The bar is unapologetically high. So is the impact you can have here.

What makes Gartner a great place to work?

Our vast, virtually untapped market potential offers limitless opportunities – opportunities that may not even exist right now – for you to grow professionally and flourish personally. How far you go is driven by your passion and performance.

We hire remarkable people who collaborate and win as a team. Together, our singular, unifying goal is to deliver results for our clients.

Our teams are inclusive and composed of individuals from different geographies, cultures, religions, ethnicities, races, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and generations.

We invest in great leaders who bring out the best in you and the company, enabling us to multiply our impact and results. This is why, year after year, we are recognized worldwide as a great place to work.

Gartner is the world authority on AI

At Gartner, you’ll join a company at the very center of the AI revolution. Gartner has proactive, objective guidance throughout clients’ AI journeys. We set the standard for how organizations leverage artificial intelligence to drive meaningful impact. You’ll have access to unmatched resources, expertise, and technology, and play a key role in helping Gartner and our clients innovate and grow as we leverage AI to transform business and technology landscapes.

It’s an exciting time to be at Gartner, with limitless opportunities to make a real impact, grow your skills, and build a lasting, meaningful career in a field that’s reshaping the way we operate. If you’re passionate about AI and want to be part of a team that’s guiding the leaders who shape the world, Gartner is the place for you.

Gartner offers world-class benefits, highly competitive compensation and disproportionate rewards for top performers.

In our hybrid work environment, we provide the flexibility and support for you to thrive — working virtually when it's productive to do so and getting together with colleagues in a vibrant community that is purposeful, engaging and inspiring.

Ready to grow your career with Gartner? Join us.

The policy of Gartner is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status and to seek to advance the principles of equal employment opportunity.

Gartner is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers opportunities to all job seekers, including job seekers with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Company’s career webpage as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by calling Human Resources at [phone] or by sending an email to [e-mail].

Job Requisition ID:112409

By submitting your information and application, you confirm that you have read and agree to the country or regional recruitment notice linked below applicable to your place of residence.

Gartner Applicant Privacy Link: https://jobs.gartner.com/applicant-privacy-policy