Director, Conferences Operations (Process Improvement and Engagement)

We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Director to lead two critical teams within Conferences Operations: Process Improvement & Operations and Associate Engagement & Development. This role is responsible for shaping operational strategies that drive business outcomes and ensures associates have the tools, training, and direction needed to succeed. The ideal candidate will have leadership experience in events, sponsorships, or conferences, combined with a proven track record in effective project and people management. As financial management is a critical component of conference delivery, experience managing large event budgets is required. What you will do: Lead the Process Improvement & Operations and Associate Engagement & Development teams, setting clear vision, goals, and priorities. Develop and execute operational strategies and process improvements to enhance conference delivery, drive efficiencies, and support business objectives. Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement across all operational teams. Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure new initiatives or programs are aligned to their needs. Develop processes to ensure effective conference financial management (expenses and revenue) including forecasts, budget writing, and investments. Design and oversee programs that support associate engagement, development, and retention, ensuring a motivated and high-performing team. Monitor and report on key performance metrics, providing actionable insights to senior leadership. Manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes. Mentor, coach, and develop team members, ensuring a high level of engagement and professional development. What you will need: Bachelor’s degree required. 10-12+ years of experience in event, sponsorship, or conference operations. Demonstrated success in process improvement, project management, and team leadership. Proven ability to inspire, motivate, and develop teams in a fast-paced environment. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a track record of driving operational excellence. Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management abilities. #conferences #LI-BO2 #LI-hybrid Who are we? At Gartner, Inc. (NYSE:IT), we guide the leaders who shape the world. Our mission relies on expert analysis and bold ideas to deliver actionable, objective business and technology insights, helping enterprise leaders and their teams succeed with their mission-critical priorities. Since our founding in 1979, we’ve grown to 20,000 associates globally who support over 13,000 client enterprises in ~90 countries and territories. We do important, interesting and substantive work that matters. That’s why we hire associates with the intellectual curiosity, energy and drive to want to make a difference. The bar is unapologetically high. So is the impact you can have here. What makes Gartner a great place to work? Our vast, virtually untapped market potential offers limitless opportunities – opportunities that may not even exist right now – for you to grow professionally and flourish personally. How far you go is driven by your passion and performance. We hire remarkable people who collaborate and win as a team. Together, our singular, unifying goal is to deliver results for our clients. Our teams are inclusive and composed of individuals from different geographies, cultures, religions, ethnicities, races, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and generations. We invest in great leaders who bring out the best in you and the company, enabling us to multiply our impact and results. This is why, year after year, we are recognized worldwide as a great place to work. Gartner is the world authority on AI At Gartner, you’ll join a company at the very center of the AI revolution. Gartner has proactive, objective guidance throughout clients’ AI journeys. We set the standard for how organizations leverage artificial intelligence to drive meaningful impact. You’ll have access to unmatched resources, expertise, and technology, and play a key role in helping Gartner and our clients innovate and grow as we leverage AI to transform business and technology landscapes. It’s an exciting time to be at Gartner, with limitless opportunities to make a real impact, grow your skills, and build a lasting, meaningful career in a field that’s reshaping the way we operate. If you’re passionate about AI and want to be part of a team that’s guiding the leaders who shape the world, Gartner is the place for you. What do we offer? Gartner offers world-class benefits, highly competitive compensation and disproportionate rewards for top performers. In our hybrid work environment, we provide the flexibility and support for you to thrive — working virtually when it's productive to do so and getting together with colleagues in a vibrant community that is purposeful, engaging and inspiring. Ready to grow your career with Gartner? Join us. Gartner believes in fair and equitable pay. A reasonable estimate of the base salary range for this role is 107,000 USD - 161,000 USD. Please note that actual salaries may vary within the range, or be above or below the range, based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, professional achievement, business need, and location. In addition to base salary, employees will participate in either an annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance, or a role-based, uncapped sales incentive plan. Our talent acquisition team will provide the specific opportunity on our bonus or incentive programs to eligible candidates. We also offer market leading benefit programs including generous PTO, a 401k match up to $7,200 per year, the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount, and more. The policy of Gartner is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status and to seek to advance the principles of equal employment opportunity. Gartner is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers opportunities to all job seekers, including job seekers with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Company’s career webpage as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by calling Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or by sending an email to View email address on click.appcast.io. Job Requisition ID:111434 By submitting your information and application, you confirm that you have read and agree to the country or regional recruitment notice linked below applicable to your place of residence. Gartner Applicant Privacy Link: For efficient navigation through the application, please only use the back button within the application, not the back arrow within your browser. At Gartner, we guide the leaders who shape the world. Over 13,000 client enterprises worldwide rely on Gartner for actionable, objective business and technology insights. Our teams of thinkers and doers know that staying curious is the best way to shape the future, for ourselves and our clients. Our sustained success creates limitless opportunities for you to grow professionally and flourish personally. We have a vast, virtually untapped market potential ahead of us, providing you with an exciting trajectory long into the future. How far you go is driven by your passion and performance. In our hybrid work environment, we provide the flexibility and support for you to thrive — working virtually when it's productive to do so and getting together with colleagues in a vibrant community that is purposeful, engaging and inspiring.