Senior Trade Show Manager at Leidos

Description

Position Overview.

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Senior Trade Show Manager to lead the planning, execution, and post-show analysis of high-profile trade shows and events. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in managing large-scale trade shows with a focus on driving brand visibility, lead generation, and business development. This role requires strong leadership abilities, strategic thinking, and advanced project management skills to ensure flawless execution and maximum return on investment.

 Primary Responsibilities.

Strategy Development:  Collaborate with Communications, Marketing, and Growth teams to create a comprehensive trade show strategy that aligns with overall business goals.

High-Level Event Management and Onsite Leadership:  Ensure all aspects of event execution meet the highest standards, delivering a seamless experience for customers, partners, and internal stakeholders:

- Manage assigned corporate and group-funded trade shows, delivering shows that meet defined objectives, on schedule and within budget

  - Follow established corporate trade show policies and procedures and brand guidelines

  - Build individual trade show budgets, track costs, and process payments

  - Establish and manage to conference and vendor milestones and deadlines

  - Coordinate show logistics, booth design and layout

  - Collaborate with internal business leads, marketing, creative, external vendors and exhibitor organizations, to deliver an on-brand booth that meets business and marketing objectives

  - Work with business leads to establish and moderate planning calls

  - Work with business and marketing leads to execute show themes, align demos and capabilities, and secure technology and services that meet requirements

  - Provide logistics oversight and booth management during run-of-show

  - Work with the business to select strategic booth locations

  - Research, select, and procure promotional giveaways

  - Conduct housing block negotiation, if required

  - Complete conference registrations

  - Arrange hospitality events tied to shows

  - Work with corporate security to communicate safety and security plan; serve as safety POC while onsite

  - Manage on-site booth install/dismantle

  - Collect and disseminate business leads to marketing

  - Leverage meeting planning tools to schedule and track related meetings

  - Create post-show survey and facilitate debrief

  - Create executive summary for Tier 1 shows

Vendor and Partner Relations:
  -  Manage relationships with exhibit house, show management and associations to ensure seamless quality and experience.

  - Manage vendor relationships (exhibit design, shipping, contractors) and ensure all components are delivered on time and within budget.

Advanced Marketing Integration:  Drive cross-channel marketing initiatives in partnership with the Branding, Creative, Communications and Marketing teams to enhance pre-show and post-show engagement.

Performance Reporting & Optimization:
  - Analyze event performance and outcomes, including attendee engagement and lead generation.
  - Lead post-event debriefs to identify areas for improvement, including developing data-driven recommendations to optimize future event participation.
  - Maintain and report KPIs related to event ROI, lead acquisition, and brand reach.

Basic Qualifications.

Experience:  8+ years of experience in managing large-scale, high-profile trade shows and events, with a proven track record of leading successful, results-driven initiatives.

Skills:
  - Strong leadership and decision-making skills, with the ability to mentor and lead cross-functional teams.
  - Expertise in project management, vendor negotiation, and contract management at a high level.

  - Exceptional communication, collaboration, and presentation skills.

Other:  Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Event Management, Business, or a related field.
 

Preferred Qualifications.

- Significant experience in defense, technology, and healthcare markets.
- Demonstrated expertise in leading trade shows for a global organization.
- Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) or Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) credentials.

Original Posting Date:

While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.