Director, Conferences Strategy

The Director, Conferences Strategy will play a critical role in solving and implementing critical strategic initiatives in support of doubling the Conferences business over the next 5 years.  This is a high visibility, high impact role that will partner with the seniormost leaders of the Conferences business to help define our growth strategy and the operational plan to deliver on it.

About the team:

Growth strategy - Leading key strategic, growth initiatives that have been prioritized by Conferences Global Leadership Team (GLT).  Representative project: Partnering with product, sales, and operations to introduce small engagement focused events to build a pipeline for future conference launches

Operational strategy - Enabling our growth strategy by problem-solving operational priorities required to scale the business with cross-functional leaders. Representative project: Partnering with marketing, attendee sales, and data analytics to accelerate our ability to drive net-new conference attendees.

Inorganic growth planning and execution - Defining and operationalizing the 5-year roadmap for new conferences launches (e.g., new business roles, geographic expansion) in partnership with Conferences and Gartner-wide stakeholders

Strategic Insights - Analyzing competitive landscape and market/macroeconomic trends to inform medium/long-term growth strategy. Representative project: Researching the impact and potential applications for metaverse and augmented reality in a live events setting.

Director, Conferences Strategy role is part of the Strategy and Development Center of Excellence (COE) and will partner across all functions of the Conferences business, including sales (inside and field), marketing, product, operations and client success, as well as select teams across broader Gartner.

What you will do: 

• Strategy setting & strategic problem solving: Act as an “engagement manager” leading high priority growth and operational strategy projects, utilizing our problem-solving platform: Key Initiative Meetings (KIMs). 

• Implementation: Carry out the execution of these strategic projects by leading implementations alongside the GLT and Senior Conferences leaders.

• Be a thought-partner and strategic advisor to key leaders across the Conferences business. Provide guidance and influence leaders to create alignment on objectives, set a clear vision, and develop execution plans in a fast-paced organization.  

• Hire, coach, develop, and manage early career talent to become effective problem solvers, inspiring storytellers, and future leaders of the organization.  

• Seek opportunities to learn and develop new skills to become a utility player across the business by expanding knowledge of all functions of the Conferences business and portfolio initiatives. 

• Ability to travel up to 10-15% of the time 

What you will do: 

• Experience: 10-12+ years of progressive business experience, preferably in a strategy or consulting role

• Exceptional problem solving capability: You have a proven track record of solving complex problems, thinking creatively and using data to tell a story

• Processing speed: You operate with a sense of “urgency” and can excel in an execution-focused environment within the dynamic, fast-paced world of live conferences and events

• Passion: You are intellectually curious and have the hunger to proactively and independently identify the opportunities where you can drive the most impact for the business

• Drive / Self-sufficiency: You have a demonstrated ability to own a problem and aggressively drive from problem statement to solution in a self-sufficient capacity, even in a matrixed environment