Senior External Event Manager – Global Trade Shows

Alkira, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 132,000 - 242,000; Full time

Job summary

Alkira is seeking an External Event Marketing Manager to lead and scale Tier 1 and Tier 2 third-party events. You will own planning, staffing, logistics, and onsite production while partnering with Sales, Product, Partner Marketing, Communications, and agencies to deliver measurable business outcomes and exceptional attendee experiences.

The role demands strong project management, attention to detail, and proactive leadership under pressure, with domestic and international travel up to 25-40% as

Qualifications

• 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 Sales, Product, Marketing, Communications, and executive leadership teams.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and comfortable taking ownership of ambiguous or rapidly changing priorities.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 25-40%.

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.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Alkira is seeking an External Event Marketing Manager to lead and scale Tier 1 and Tier 2 third-party events. You will own planning, staffing, logistics, and onsite production while partnering with Sales, Product, Partner Marketing, Communications, and agencies to deliver measurable business outcomes and exceptional attendee experiences.

The role demands strong project management, attention to detail, and proactive leadership under pressure, with domestic and international travel up to 25-40% as