Senior Events Manager

Description Optikos is seeking an experienced and highly organized Senior Events Manager to lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of the company’s trade shows, conferences, customer events, corporate events, and other strategic programs. This role will develop and execute event strategies that strengthen the Optikos brand, increase market awareness, support business development, generate qualified leads, and create meaningful experiences for employees, customers, partners, and industry professionals. The Senior Events Manager will work closely with Business Development, Marketing, Engineering, Program Management, and leadership to identify high-value events and develop programs that align with company priorities. The ideal candidate is an exceptional project manager and communicator who can manage multiple priorities, budgets, vendors, and stakeholders while maintaining a high level of attention to detail. Roles and Responsibilities Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of Optikos trade shows, conferences, customer events, corporate events, employee events, and other strategic programs. Develop and maintain an annual event calendar and recommend events based on business priorities, target audiences, market opportunities, and expected return on investment. Partner with Sales, Marketing, Engineering, and leadership to determine event objectives, key messaging, product/service focus, audience engagement strategies, and staffing requirements. Manage all aspects of event logistics, including: Venue selection and contracts Booth and event space planning Vendors, suppliers, contractors, and event partners Booth setup and tear-down Shipping, equipment, materials, and promotional items Catering, entertainment, and event services Travel and hotel accommodations Event staffing and schedules Develop and manage event budgets, track expenses, negotiate with vendors, and identify opportunities to maximize the return on event investments. Support the Director of Business Strategy in developing integrated promotional campaigns for events, contributing ideas and input across email, digital advertising, social media, website content, and other communications. Coordinate pre-event communications and outreach to maximize attendance, customer engagement, and lead generation. Attend events as required and oversee on-site execution, including registration, booth activities, presentations, customer interactions, vendors, and overall event operations. Ensure all events are executed professionally and consistently reflect the Optikos brand, values, and corporate identity. Ensure all event-generated leads are accurately captured and promptly handed off to Sales and the CRM Business Analyst to support timely follow-up within the lead pipeline. Track event leads and opportunities through the sales process and evaluate event effectiveness based on measurable business outcomes. Conduct post-event analysis and provide recommendations based on attendance, lead generation, customer engagement, expenses, ROI, and feedback. Maintain and continuously improve the Optikos materials, booth properties, displays, signage, promotional materials, and other event assets. Establish and maintain strong relationships with venues, trade show organizers, contractors, vendors, and other external partners. Develop event processes, timelines, checklists, and best practices to improve efficiency and consistency across all company events. Manage multiple events and projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and adapting to changing priorities. Support special projects and other marketing initiatives as needed. Skills and Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Event Management, or a related field. 8–10+ years of progressive experience in event management, trade shows, conferences, corporate events, or related marketing/project management. Proven experience managing events from strategy and planning through execution and post-event analysis. Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects, timelines, budgets, and stakeholders simultaneously. Demonstrated business acumen, including experience with budgeting, vendor negotiations, expense management, and measuring event ROI. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with customers, vendors, employees, executives, and external partners. Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail. Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and judgment skills. Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with cross-functional teams. Ability to manage competing priorities and remain calm and solutions-focused in a fast-paced environment. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. Comfortable working with technical products, services, and audiences and able to quickly learn and communicate technical concepts. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience working with CRM, marketing, project management, or event management platforms. Ability to work flexible and challenging schedules, including evenings and weekends when required. Ability to travel up to 50%, including domestic and international travel. Creative, energetic, resourceful, and proactive, with a strong sense of ownership and a willingness to think outside the box. Demonstrated ability to represent the company professionally and positively with customers, partners, vendors, and industry professionals. Experience in a B2B, engineering, technology, manufacturing, or scientific environment is preferred. Experience managing international trade shows and conferences is preferred. Experience with lead generation, CRM systems, and event marketing analytics is preferred. Experience managing corporate or employee events in addition to external events is preferred. Familiarity with trade show booth design, exhibit management, and event production is preferred. Experience developing event strategies tied to measurable business and marketing objectives is preferred. About Optikos For the last 40 years, Optikos® has provided innovative applications of optical technology, both products and services, to commercial, government, and consumer products organizations worldwide. The Optikos engineering team is the largest independent optical engineering group in the world, managing all aspects of instrument design, including optics, mechanics, electronics and software systems, in addition to our in‑house IQ Lab™ Services to benchmark and assess the performance of customer lens or camera systems. We develop innovative products in the life sciences, aerospace and defense, industrial, and consumer markets, and our experience with a wide variety of applications has enabled our staff to generate creative solutions to some of the most challenging optical problems. Our team continues to improve existing metrology product lines and develop new products that Optikos manufactures and installs around the globe. Our headquarters is centrally located right outside the Boston medical and tech hub in Wakefield, Massachusetts. This in-office position is located in the Wakefield, Massachusetts facility. We offer competitive compensation packages along with a challenging and stimulating environment. Optikos is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status. We do not sponsor employment visas for this position. #J-18808-Ljbffr