Tradeshow Manager

Avantor; Tennessee; On-site; USD 98,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor is seeking a Tradeshow Manager to lead the strategy, planning, execution, and measurement of our flagship tradeshows across global markets. You will partner with Commercial, Product, Marketing, Digital and executive stakeholders to deliver elevated experiences and measurable business impact.

You will own budgets, negotiate contracts, coordinate cross-functional teams, and oversee logistics, vendor management, and post-event reporting to drive continuous improvement and ROI.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5–7 years of progressive experience in trade shows, events, marketing, communications, or related agency environments.
• Experience leading end-to-end planning and execution of large-scale tradeshows.
• Strong contract negotiation, budget management, reporting, and project management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop global and flagship show participation aligned to business objectives.
• Lead negotiation of exhibit space, sponsorships, and event contracts.
• Independently manage a portfolio of tradeshows with governance for regional events.
• Coordinate planning with Commercial, Product, Marketing, Digital, and external partners.
• Oversee logistics: registration, housing, space, shipping, services, assets, and on-site execution.
• Own budgets, forecasts, expenditures with transparent reporting.
• Direct external agencies, vendors, and logistics partners for booth assets and displays.
• Own post-event reporting, ROI analysis, lead metrics, and executive summaries.
• Create project documentation, timelines, workstreams, and best-practice standards.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Contract negotiation

Budget management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, C4C, Cvent, iCapture

Job description

The Opportunity

The Tradeshow Manager supports the Communications & Events organization as a member of the Tradeshow Center of Excellence, leading the strategy, planning, execution, and measurement of Avantor's flagship tradeshows. The role combines strategic event leadership with hands‑on operational excellence, driving brand awareness, customer engagement, lead generation, and measurable business impact across global markets. Working closely with commercial, product, marketing, digital, and executive stakeholders, the manager curates best‑in‑class tradeshow experiences while continuously improving processes, reporting, and standards of excellence.

How you will thrive and create an impact

• Strategic Tradeshow Leadership: Develop recommendations for participation in global and flagship shows aligned to business objectives, customer engagement goals, and brand strategy.
• Contract Negotiation & Sponsorships: Lead negotiation of exhibit space, sponsorship agreements, and event contracts to maximize value, visibility, and cost efficiencies.
• Portfolio Management: Independently manage a portfolio of tradeshows while providing consultative oversight and governance for additional regional events.
• Cross Functional Leadership: Coordinate planning efforts with Commercial, Product, Marketing, Digital, Communications, and external partners to ensure seamless execution aligned around consistent objectives and messaging.
• Logistics & Operations: Oversee registration, housing, meeting space, shipping, show services, booth assets, hospitality, lead retrieval systems, and onsite execution.
• Budget Ownership: Manage event budgets, forecasts, and expenditures with disciplined cost control and transparent stakeholder reporting.
• Asset & Vendor Management: Direct external agencies, vendors, and logistics partners while ensuring booth assets, collateral, promotional items, and displays are available and maintained.
• Performance Measurement & Reporting: Own post-event reporting, ROI analysis, lead metrics, executive summaries, attendee feedback, and strategic recommendations for future participation.
• Process Excellence: Create and maintain project documentation, Teams channels, timelines, workstreams, and best‑practice standards that improve organizational efficiency.
• Relationship Management: Build trusted partnerships with organizers, sponsors, vendors, and internal stakeholders globally.

What we're looking for

Ideal Candidate

• Creative and results‑driven leader passionate about delivering elevated customer experiences and industry‑leading programs.
• Highly organized self‑starter demonstrating accountability, ownership, and sound judgment across multiple concurrent projects.
• Exceptional communicator with strong stakeholder management and influence skills in highly matrixed organizations.
• Experienced in global, international, and domestic trade show environments with proven ability to manage complexity.
• Skilled in continuous improvement, process optimization, and development of operational standards.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, C4C, Cvent, and event measurement platforms such as iCapture

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive experience in trade show, events, marketing, communications, or related agency environments.
• Demonstrated success leading end-to-end planning and execution of large‑scale, third‑party tradeshows .
• Strong contract negotiation, budget management, reporting, and project management capabilities.
• Proven cross‑functional leadership within matrixed organizations.
• Healthcare, biotech, pharmaceutical, or bioprocess industry experience preferred
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 20%.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life‑changing science.

The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.

We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world.

Pay Transparency

The expected pre‑tax pay for this position is $97,500.00 - $156,975.00

Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

Privacy Policy

We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in order to consider your application for the relevant role. Your privacy is important to us. Please click here for our Privacy Policy which explains the purposes for which we will use your personal information and the ways in which we will handle and retain your information. It also explains the rights you have in relation to your information, and how to contact us with any queries or requests.

3rd Party Non‑Solicitation Policy

By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.