Sr. Marketing Manager - Events (Durham, NC)

Role Summary

The Senior Marketing Manager – Events leads Fortrea’s global events team within Global Marketing. This role develops and executes a global tradeshow and event strategy aligned with Fortrea’s business objectives, and oversees a team of event professionals to ensure planning, execution, and post-event analysis of high-impact congresses and events worldwide. They partner across Marketing, Medical, Commercial, Operations, and external vendors to deliver engaging, results-driven experiences, present strategic recommendations to senior leadership, track ROI, and continuously optimize event processes. This hybrid role is based in Durham, NC, with 2–3 on-site days per week.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development – Manage and mentor a high-performing global events team. Foster collaboration, innovation, and accountability; identify career development opportunities and coach team members to reach their professional goals.
• Global Event Strategy & Contracting – Lead the development and execution of the company’s global event strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and market opportunities. Oversee strategic vendor partnerships and contracting to support long-term event success.
• Event Calendar & Planning – Own the annual global event calendar. Collaborate with Business Unit planning leads to define event priorities, recommend participation, and establish success metrics.
• Logistics Oversight – Provide strategic guidance and operational support to the events team on all logistical components for events.
• Budget Management – Manage and optimize global event budgets. Ensure fiscal discipline, cost-effectiveness, and ROI across all initiatives, while maintaining high-quality execution.
• Post-Event Analysis & Reporting – Lead post-event debriefs and performance reviews. Analyze data, track ROI, and present actionable insights to senior stakeholders. Drive continuous improvement through strategic recommendations.
• Operational Excellence – Design and refine scalable processes and workflows to support global event execution. Champion best practices and operational efficiency across the events function.
• Content & Materials Preparation – Oversee the development and delivery of event materials, including promotional items, branded assets, and lead capture tools. Ensure consistency with brand standards and messaging.

Qualifications

• Required: 10+ years of experience planning and executing tradeshows, conferences, and events in the life sciences industry across multiple regions
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in marketing or business field; MBA a plus
• Required: Deep expertise in the tradeshow and convention space, including systems, terminology, and onsite logistics
• Required: Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in a global, remote-first environment
• Required: Strong executive presence and confidence in presenting to senior leaders
• Required: Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business goals into actionable event plans
• Required: Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Required: Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously under tight deadlines
• Required: Proficiency in tools such as Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Smartsheet, and SharePoint
• Required: Eligibility to obtain and maintain a public trust clearance
• Preferred: Experience leading large international tradeshows and conventions, with a track record of strategic impact and operational excellence
• Preferred: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills across all levels, including senior executives
• Preferred: Strategic thinker and proactive problem-solver with ownership and accountability
• Preferred: Passionate about crafting memorable, high-impact event experiences that drive brand engagement and business results
• Preferred: Proficient in event management and CRM platforms such as Salesforce, Smartsheet, and Zuant (or similar tools)
• Preferred: Demonstrated success managing and developing global teams, fostering innovation, growth, and performance
• Preferred: Experience in healthcare, biotech, or pharmaceutical industries strongly preferred

Travel Requirements

• Travel up to 20%, including weekends