Senior Lead Trade Show Event Manager

Job description

Lumen is the trusted network for the AI‑powered world, connecting people, data, and applications through our expansive fiber network and connected ecosystem. We enable secure, high‑performance connectivity across cloud, edge, and AI workloads for enterprises, governments, and communities. At Lumen, you’ll work on infrastructure customers rely on today and build for what’s next, where performance, security, and resilience matter. This is a high accountability environment where bold ideas drive real innovation for our customers, partners, and industry. The work is challenging, expectations are clear, and trust is built into how we operate. If you’re ready to take ownership, deliver meaningful impact, and help shape the future of AI‑ready connectivity, join us today. The Role The External Event Marketing Manager is responsible for leading the execution of Lumen's Tier 1 and Tier 2 third-party event portfolio. This role serves as a key member of the External Event Strategy team, translating event strategies into flawless onsite execution and measurable business results. The manager partners closely with Sales, Product, Partner Marketing, Communications, and agency teams to deliver exceptional event experiences while maintaining ownership of planning, operations, logistics, staffing, and onsite production. Acting as a versatile "pinch hitter" across programs, this individual develops planning documents, builds scalable event processes, manages agency partners, oversees ancillary event production, and serves as an onsite leader responsible for execution excellence from planning through post-event reporting. Success in this role requires strong project management, attention to detail, cross-functional collaboration, and a willingness to take ownership and lead under pressure. Location Candidates must reside in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, or surrounding markets to support the regional coverage requirements of the role. The Main 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. What We Look For in a Candidate 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%. Preferred Agency experience preferred, Telecom background B2B Marketing experience, event production, partner marketing and 8+ years of experience Compensation This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors. Location Based Pay Ranges $105,786 - $141,047 in these states: AL AR AZ FL GA IA ID IN KS KY LA ME MO MS MT ND NE NM OH OK PA SC SD TN UT VT WI WV WY $111,074 - $148,099 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI $116,364 - $155,152 in these states: AK CA CT DC DE IL MA MD NJ NY TX VA WA Lumen offers a comprehensive package featuring a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle benefits and other perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing. We're able to answer any additional questions you may have about our bonus structure (short-term incentives, long-term incentives and/or sales compensation) as you move through the selection process. Learn more about Lumen's: Benefits Bonus Structure #LI-Remote Requisition #: 343077 Life at Lumen Life at Lumen is human and connected, even in a fast moving, AI‑focused organization. We set clear expectations and trust people to meet them. With real support and shared accountability, teams collaborate better, move faster, and deliver meaningful outcomes. Our Lumen 8 behaviors guide how we interact, make decisions, and work together, shaping a culture built to perform and win. To learn more about Life at Lumen and how we live the Lumen 8, please visit: Background Screening If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page . Job-related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Equal Employment Opportunities We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status (collectively, “protected statuses”). We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training. Privacy Notice Lumen is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected during the recruitment and hiring process. Our Applicant Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect applicant information, as well as how individuals may request access to or deletion of their personal data. To review Lumen’s Global Employment Applicant and Talent Community Privacy Notice, please visit: Disclaimer The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions. In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. Please be advised that Lumen does not require any form of payment from job applicants during the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings will be posted on our official website or communicated through official company email addresses. If you encounter any job offers that request payment in exchange for employment at Lumen, they are not for employment with us, but may relate to another company with a similar name.