Senior Director - Strategic Events

Caris Life Sciences • Irving, IL

8d

About The Position

At Caris, we understand that cancer is an ugly word—a word no one wants to hear, but one that connects us all. That’s why we’re not just transforming cancer care—we’re changing lives.
We introduced precision medicine to the world and built an industry around the idea that every patient deserves answers as unique as their DNA. Backed by cutting-edge molecular science and AI, we ask ourselves every day: “What would I do if this patient were my mom?” That question drives everything we do.
But our mission doesn’t stop with cancer. We're pushing the frontiers of medicine and leading a revolution in healthcare—driven by innovation, compassion, and purpose.
Join us in our mission to improve the human condition across multiple diseases. If you're passionate about meaningful work and want to be part of something bigger than yourself, Caris is where your impact begins.
Position Summary
The Senior Director, Strategic Events, is responsible for developing and executing an enterprise-wide events strategy that advances corporate reputation, strengthens customer and stakeholder engagement, elevates brand visibility, and supports key business objectives. This role leads the planning, execution, and optimization of strategic events, trade shows, executive experiences, customer engagement programs, product launch activations, and internal company meetings.
The Senior Director serves as an enterprise leader, aligning event strategy with organizational priorities across business units and functions.
The ideal candidate has a strong record of success in strategic event leadership, brand experiences, executive engagement, operational excellence, stakeholder management, and team development. This collaborative leader will transform events from tactical activities into strategic business drivers that deliver measurable impact across the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, business administration, hospitality management, event management, or a related field.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressive experience in strategic events, conference management, experiential marketing, corporate events, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of leadership experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated success managing large-scale conferences, executive meetings, customer engagement programs, and enterprise events.
• Strong executive presence, with experience interacting with C-suite leaders, customers, and external stakeholders.
• Expertise in event strategy, budget management, vendor negotiations, and operational planning.
• Demonstrated ability to develop measurable event performance programs and return-on-investment frameworks.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence at multiple levels of the organization and lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Ability to operate effectively as a self-starter in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and strategic planning capabilities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, life sciences, or medical technology.
• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Professional certification in event management, project management, marketing, or hospitality management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive enterprise events strategy aligned with company growth objectives and brand priorities.
• Establish a long-term roadmap for trade shows, customer experiences, executive engagements, scientific meetings, internal events, and corporate activations.
• Drive event innovation by incorporating emerging technologies, AI-enabled experiences, and industry best practices.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to identify opportunities to maximize strategic value, customer engagement, and return on investment.
• Provide strategic oversight for major corporate, commercial, scientific, executive, and customer-facing events.
• Lead the planning and execution of national sales meetings, leadership meetings, customer advisory boards, scientific conferences, executive roadshows, and product launch events.
• Develop executive hospitality and VIP experience programs that support key customer and stakeholder relationships.
• Ensure events consistently reinforce corporate brand standards, messaging, and business priorities.
• Establish standards, processes, and governance to improve event quality, efficiency, and scalability.
• Direct the organization's trade show and conference portfolio strategy.
• Evaluate sponsorship opportunities, exhibit investments, and visibility programs to maximize business impact.
• Partner with Commercial, Biopharma, Medical Affairs, Marketing, and Communications teams to maintain strategic alignment.
• Develop measurable objectives and performance metrics for event investments.
• Create executive engagement programs that support thought leadership, customer retention, business development, and strategic partnerships.
• Partner closely with senior leadership to maximize executive participation and visibility at key events.
• Manage executive briefing materials, event communications, speaking opportunities, and stakeholder engagement plans.
• Develop and manage large-scale event budgets while ensuring disciplined fiscal management and resource allocation.
• Negotiate contracts and strategic vendor partnerships to maximize value and service quality.
• Implement processes, reporting structures, and performance dashboards to measure event effectiveness and return on investment.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, financial, legal, and corporate governance requirements.
• Build, lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing events organization.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, executional excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear performance expectations and development opportunities across the team.
• Partner cross-functionally to support organizational priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Complete all required job-specific, safety, compliance, and quality training in accordance with company requirements.
• Perform all job responsibilities in compliance with applicable company policies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Individual must successfully complete pre-employment process, which includes criminal background check, drug screening, credit check ( applicable for certain positions) and reference verification.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior