Elastic, the Search AI Company, enables everyone to find the answers they need in real time, using all their data, at scale — unleashing the potential of businesses and people. The Elastic Search AI Platform, used by more than 50% of the Fortune 500, brings together the precision of search and the intelligence of AI to enable everyone to accelerate the results that matter. By taking advantage of all structured and unstructured data — securing and protecting private information more effectively — Elastic’s complete, cloud-based solutions for search, security, and observability help organizations deliver on the promise of AI.
At Elastic, our Corporate Marketing Team designs and executes best-in-class events and experiences that establish Elastic as a trusted advisor to the world's largest organizations. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Strategic Events Senior Manager to own our third-party conference portfolio globally. A collaborative team player with big ideas and the discipline to execute every detail, you'll be the driving force behind how Elastic shows up at the industry events that matter most — from sponsorship strategy through on-site delivery.
This role is based in North America, with greater priority given to candidates within the United States.
What You Will Be Doing- Third-party event strategy: Develop and own a long-range strategy for Elastic's presence at external conferences, tradeshows, and partner events — tied directly to business priorities. Make deliberate, data-informed decisions about where we invest, at what tier, and why, ensuring every sponsorship earns its place in the portfolio.
- End-to-end execution: Lead every phase of the third-party event lifecycle — from sponsorship evaluation and contract negotiation through booth build, on-site management, and post-event analysis — with the logistics rigor that separates a good event from a great one.
- Cross-functional alignment: Partner with marketing, sales, and field teams to connect conference programs to pipeline goals. Serve as the connective tissue between sponsorship investment and measurable sales outcomes.
- Vendor & agency management: Own relationships with event agencies, exhibit houses, and service providers. Negotiate contracts through Procurement, securing competitive terms and all required InfoSec and privacy approvals.
- Budget & ROI: Build and manage the third-party events budget with a cost-effective mindset. Define success metrics up front, track ROI and engagement, and use those insights to continuously improve portfolio decisions.
- Risk management: Anticipate what can go wrong before it does. Build contingency plans so the team is never caught off guard — whether it's a last-minute venue change or an on-site logistics challenge.
- Proven Expertise: 10+ years in B2B event marketing with a focus on third-party conference and tradeshow programs, including a track record of owning sponsorship portfolios from strategy through measurement.
- Executive presence: Comfortable presenting sponsorship strategy and investment rationale to senior leadership, and skilled at translating vision into detailed execution plans.
- Sales partnership DNA: You understand pipeline, know how conference presence connects to revenue, and have worked closely with field sales and SDR teams to create and accelerate opportunities at events.
- Operational excellence: The organizational habits, vendor management expertise, and budget discipline to run a complex multi-event calendar without things falling through the cracks.
- Data fluency: You evaluate sponsorship tiers objectively, define ROI criteria upfront, and use post-event findings to make smarter portfolio investments each cycle.
- Adaptability: You thrive managing competing priorities across a fast-paced environment, staying calm when plans change and solutions-oriented when they do.
- Travel: Up to 40% travel, and managing a remote schedule.
#LI-JM5
Compensation for this role is in the form of base salary. This role does not have a variable compensation component.
The typical starting salary range for new hires in this role is listed below. In select locations (including Seattle WA, Los Angeles CA, the San Francisco Bay Area CA, and the New York City Metro Area), an alternate range may apply as specified below.
These ranges represent the lowest to highest salary we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the ranges may be modified in the future.
An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.
Elastic believes that employees should have the opportunity to share in the value that we create together for our shareholders. Therefore, in addition to cash compensation, this role is currently eligible to participate in Elastic's stock program. Our total rewards package also includes a company-matched 401k with dollar-for-dollar matching up to 6% of eligible earnings, along with a range of other benefits offered with a holistic emphasis on employee well-being.
As a distributed company, diversity drives our identity. Whether you’re looking to launch a new career or grow an existing one, Elastic is the type of company where you can balance great work with great life. Your age is only a number. It doesn’t matter if you’re just out of college or your children are; we need you for what you can do.
We strive to have parity of benefits across regions and while regulations differ from place to place, we believe taking care of our people is the right thing to do.
- Competitive pay based on the work you do here and not your previous salary
- Health coverage for you and your family in many locations
- Ability to craft your calendar with flexible locations and schedules for many roles
- Generous number of vacation days each year
- Increase your impact - We match up to $2000 (or local currency equivalent) for financial donations and service
- Up to 40 hours each year to use toward volunteer projects you love
- Embracing parenthood with minimum of 16 weeks of parental leave
Different people approach problems differently. We need that. Elastic is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation.
We welcome individuals with disabilities and strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all individuals. To request an accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email [email protected]. We will reply to your request within 24 business hours of submission.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws, view posters linked below: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster; Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision Poster; Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) Poster and Know Your Rights (Poster)
Elasticsearch develops and distributes technology and information that is subject to U.S. and other countries’ export controls and licensing requirements for individuals who are located in or are nationals of the following sanctioned countries and regions: Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, or Russia, including the Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia (The Crimea region of Ukraine, The Donetsk People's Republic (DNR), The Luhansk People's Republic (LNR), Kherson or Zaporizhzhia). If you are located in or are a national of one of the listed countries or regions, an export license may be required as a condition of your employment in this role. Please note that national origin and/or nationality do not affect eligibility for employment with Elastic.
Please see here for our Privacy Statement.
Elastic Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
500 W Madison St, Chicago, IL, United States
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
