EMEA Events Lead Specialist

Align Technology, Inc.; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Align Technology, Inc. is seeking an EMEA Events Lead Specialist in the United Kingdom to own strategy, planning, and flawless execution of our events portfolio across the EMEA region.

You will lead conferences, trade shows, customer events and experiential campaigns, partnering with regional teams to translate objectives into compelling experiences while delivering on time and on budget. This hands-on role requires strategic thinking, operational excellence, and the ability to manage multiple

Qualifications

• University degree in Marketing, Events, Communications, Business or related field.
• 4–6 years of experience in event management or related field with increasing responsibility.
• Proven experience managing congresses, strategic events or clinical education activities.
• Experience managing agencies, suppliers and external partners with accountability.
• Budget ownership and event operations experience; cross-functional stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic delivery of market-focused events, including congresses and clinical education activities.
• Act as primary event lead for assigned markets, aligning plans with business priorities.
• Manage event plans, timelines, and resources with sound judgment for complex events.
• Support event delivery across additional markets as needed.
• Develop and execute market event plans aligned with regional objectives.
• Serve as a key contact for internal and external partners throughout the event lifecycle.
• Manage budgets, supplier relationships, and resource allocation.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Clinical, Finance, Procurement and Compliance teams.
• Promote governance processes and best practices across markets.
• Contribute to process improvements and event-systems optimization.
• Share market insights and operational expertise for planning and reporting.
• Represent events professionally and resolve issues to deliver successful outcomes.

Skills

Event strategy

Project management

Stakeholder mgmt

Budget management

Vendor management

Travel

Education

Marketing/Events degree

Tools

Salesforce

CRM tools

SAP

Job description

EMEA Events Lead Specialist

Department: Marketing

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: EMEA-United Kingdom

Description

As our EMEA Events Lead Specialist, you will own the strategy, planning, and flawless execution of our events portfolio across the EMEA region. You’ll design and deliver high‑impact conferences, trade shows, customer events, and experiential campaigns that build our brand, generate pipeline, and deepen relationships with key audiences. Partnering closely with regional marketing, sales, and product teams, you’ll translate commercial objectives into compelling event experiences, manage agencies and vendors, and ensure every event is delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest standard. This is a hands‑on role for someone who combines strategic thinking with operational excellence, is comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously, and thrives in a fast‑paced, international environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and strategic delivery of market-focused events, including congresses, strategic events and clinical education activities, taking ownership of assigned event programmes and ensuring successful execution from planning through post-event evaluation.
• Act as the primary event lead and trusted partner for assigned markets, ensuring event plans align with business priorities, stakeholder needs and agreed objectives.
• Manage independently event plans, priorities, timelines and resources, applying sound judgment to ensure successful delivery of complex and high-visibility events.
• Support event delivery across additional markets where required, ensuring effective prioritization, stakeholder coordination and consistent execution.
• Develop and execute market event plans, providing recommendations and insights that align local opportunities with business priorities and regional objectives.
• Serve as a key point of contact for internal stakeholders and external partners, providing expertise, influence, coordination and guidance throughout the event lifecycle.
• Manage event budgets, supplier and agency relationships, and resource allocation, balancing quality, compliance, business objectives and delivery effectiveness.
• Collaborate and influence cross-functional stakeholders, including Marketing, Clinical, Finance, Procurement and Compliance teams, to ensure successful event delivery and alignment with organizational goals.
• Apply and promote EMEA processes, governance requirements and best practices, ensuring consistency, compliance and operational excellence across assigned markets.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of event processes, tools and operating practices, identifying opportunities to simplify workflows, improve efficiency and enhance stakeholder experience.
• Act as a subject matter expert in event systems and processes, sharing expertise and supporting colleagues and stakeholders when required.
• Share market insights and operational expertise to support regional event planning, reporting and best‑practice development.
• Represent the events function professionally, using sound judgment to resolve issues, balance stakeholder needs and deliver successful outcomes.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Strong strategic planning, prioritization and end-to-end project management skills across complex event portfolios.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment and manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across functions and organizational levels.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously.
• Strong agency, supplier and vendor management skills, including briefing, negotiation, performance management and quality control.
• Excellent budget management and financial oversight skills, including KPI monitoring, ROI analysis and spend optimization.
• Ability to identify process improvement opportunities and support the implementation of best practices and operational efficiencies.
• Strong analytical mindset, with the ability to translate data, KPIs and event outcomes into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present clearly, challenge constructively and influence stakeholders.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and event‑related systems, with confidence using tools that support planning, reporting, budgeting and execution.
• Ability to evaluate situations, select appropriate methods and techniques, and deliver solutions with limited guidance.
• Travel across current market and across EMEA where required. If leading another market, regular travel to support will be required.

Education and Experience

• University degree in Marketing, Events, Communications, Business or a related field.
• 4–6 years of experience in event management, event marketing or a related field, demonstrating increasing responsibility in planning and delivering complex event programes.
• Proven experience managing congresses, strategic events, clinical education activities or comparable event portfolios.
• Demonstrated experience managing agencies, suppliers and external partners with accountability and strong performance oversight.
• Strong experience in budget ownership, event operations, compliance processes and cross‑functional stakeholder management.
• Experience contributing to process improvement initiatives, operational excellence programes or event best‑practice development.
• Experience in the healthcare device industry is preferred; experience in an event agency environment is also highly valued.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and familiarity with Salesforce, CRM platforms, event‑management tools and SAP is preferred.
• Fluency in English is essential; additional European languages are an advantage.