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