Senior Trade Show Manager

Leidos • Reston, VA

1d • $82,550 - $149,225

About The Position

Leidos is seeking a strategic and execution-focused Senior Trade Show Manager to lead the planning and delivery of high-impact trade shows and events, from local engagements to large-scale national and international programs. This role plays a critical part in driving brand visibility, supporting business development, and delivering measurable results aligned with enterprise growth objectives. The ideal candidate combines strong program management, marketing integration, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of experience developing and deploying communications and event strategies; OR Master’s degree with 6+ years of experience. Additional years of experience will be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
• Strong project management experience supporting trade shows, marketing, and communications initiatives.
• Experience with virtual and hybrid event platforms and emerging event technologies.
• Proven ability to build collaborative partnerships and influence across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to multitask, adapt, and work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to manage ambiguity and shifting priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting defense, government, or technology-focused organizations.
• Experience managing large-scale national and international trade shows.
• Familiarity with CRM and event technologies supporting lead capture and reporting.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive trade show and event strategies aligned with Leidos business priorities, growth objectives, and brand positioning.
• Manage a portfolio of trade shows ranging from regional engagements to large-scale national and international trade shows.
• Evaluate and recommend event participation opportunities based on strategic relevance, audience engagement, and return on investment.
• Partner with Growth, Communications, and Marketing/Branding to ensure events support customer engagement, pipeline growth, and strategic messaging.
• Ensure all events reflect Leidos brand standards and deliver a high-quality, professional attendee experience.
• Lead all phases of event planning and execution, including venue coordination, booth development, exhibit management, production schedules, transportation, and onsite operations.
• Manage event logistics including booth design and fabrication, graphics production, shipping and freight coordination, inventory management, registration processes, etc.
• Oversee event timelines and project plans to ensure milestones, deliverables, and operational requirements are met.
• Coordinate setup and teardown activities while proactively identifying and resolving operational challenges.
• Ensure compliance with organizational processes, procurement requirements, and event-specific regulations.
• Develop and manage event budgets across multiple programs and business areas.
• Track expenditures, reconcile invoices, and ensure effective stewardship of company resources.
• Negotiate vendor contracts, sponsorship agreements, and service-level commitments to maximize value and operational efficiency.
• Provide financial reporting and post-event budget analysis, including ROI assessments and recommendations for future investments.
• Collaborate with integrated marketing, digital, and communications teams to support event marketing strategies that increase awareness, engagement, and lead generation.
• Support development of event-specific messaging, promotional campaigns, presentations, and executive briefing materials.
• Coordinate pre-show, onsite, and post-show communications strategies across multiple channels.
• Leverage social media, digital engagement tools, CRM systems, and marketing automation platforms to enhance attendee engagement and lead tracking.
• Partner with Growth, Strategic Accounts and Communications teams to ensure event objectives align with customer and growth priorities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, senior leadership, vendors, event organizers, and strategic partners.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to internal teams regarding event strategy, planning, and execution.
• Collaborate cross-functionally across communications, marketing, communications, growth, operations, and leadership teams to drive successful event outcomes.
• Support executive engagement activities, including customer meetings, leadership briefings, and VIP experiences during events.
• Serve as the primary onsite lead for assigned events, ensuring smooth execution and rapid issue resolution.
• Direct onsite staff, vendors, contractors, and support personnel to maintain operational excellence and a consistent brand presence.
• Manage real-time event adjustments and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment while maintaining professionalism and composure.
• Ensure all onsite activities support positive customer experiences and strengthen Leidos market presence.
• Establish collaborative partnerships across all levels of the organization.
• Influence decision-making and drive progress in support of business objectives.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement across event programs.
• Track and analyze event performance metrics including attendee engagement, lead generation, pipeline contribution, and overall ROI.
• Conduct post-event reviews and debrief sessions with stakeholders to identify lessons learned and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop recommendations and best practices to optimize future trade show participation and event execution.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving event strategies to continuously enhance program effectiveness.

Benefits

• This role offers the opportunity to shape how Leidos engages with customers and partners across key markets.
• You will work alongside cross-functional leaders to deliver impactful experiences that strengthen brand presence and drive business growth.

What This Job Offers

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