Sr. Marketing Manager - Events (Durham, NC)

Company Name

Fortrea

Found Description

Fortrea is a global clinical research organization with 30+ years of experience, specializing in agile solutions for biotech, biopharma, medical device, and diagnostic companies. Operating in around 100 countries with over 15,000 employees, Fortrea manages Phase I-IV clinical trials, pharmacology, and consulting across more than 20 therapeutic areas.

At Fortrea, innovation drives clinical trial design, patient recruitment, and operational excellence. The company fosters a culture that empowers teams to pursue new approaches and deliver life-changing healthcare solutions efficiently.

How This Role Contributes To Fortrea

The Senior Marketing Manager – Events leads Fortrea’s global events team within the Global Marketing function. This strategic leader is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive global tradeshow and event strategy that aligns with Fortrea’s business objectives. The role oversees a team of event professionals, ensuring seamless planning, execution, and post-event analysis of high-impact congresses and events globally. This individual partners cross-functionally with Marketing, Medical, Commercial, Operations, and external vendors to deliver consistent, engaging, and results-driven event experiences. They are also responsible for presenting strategic recommendations to senior leadership, tracking ROI, and continuously optimizing event processes and performance.

Core Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development – Manage and mentor a high-performing global events team. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability. Identify career development opportunities and coach team members to achieve 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.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience planning and executing tradeshows, conferences, and events in the life sciences industry across multiple regions.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing or business field preferred; MBA a plus.
• Deep expertise in the tradeshow and convention space, including systems, terminology, and onsite logistics.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in a global, remote-first environment.
• Strong executive presence and confidence in presenting to senior leaders.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business goals into actionable event plans.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in tools such as Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Smartsheet, and SharePoint.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a public trust clearance.

Ideal Candidate

• Proven experience leading small and large-scale international tradeshows and regional/domestic conventions, with a strong track record of strategic impact and operational excellence.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization, including senior executives.
• Strategic thinker and proactive problem-solver with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Passionate about crafting memorable, high-impact event experiences that drive brand engagement and business results.
• Proficient in event management and CRM platforms such as Salesforce, Smartsheet, and Zuant (or similar tools).
• Demonstrated success managing and developing global teams, fostering a culture of innovation, growth, and performance.
• Experience in healthcare, biotech, or pharmaceutical industries strongly preferred.

Travel Requirements

• Travel up to 20%, including weekends.

This is a hybrid role with the expectation to work within our Durham headquarters 2-3 days each week.

Pay Range

$90,000-$120,000 USD base annual salary.

Benefits

All job offers will be based on a candidate’s skills and prior relevant experience, applicable degrees/certifications, as well as internal equity and market data. Regular, full-time or part-time employees working 20 or more hours per week are eligible for comprehensive benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD/LTD, 401(K), ESPP, Paid time off (PTO) or Flexible time off (FTO), Company bonus where applicable.

Application Deadline

September 30th, 2025.

Learn more about our EEO & Accommodations request here.