VP, Business Operations - Conferences Operations

VP, Business Operations - Conferences Operations  

The Vice President of Business Operations - Conferences Operations will help to optimize and scale the Global Conferences Operations function as we rapidly scale the Conferences business.  The VP will act as a strategic partner to the GVP of Conferences Operations and the Global Operations Leadership Team.  This role requires proven experience in a business leadership/management role, with a special focus on executive-level advising, project execution, and key interdepartmental collaboration across Gartner. 

About the Conferences Operations Team  

The Conferences Operations organization at Gartner is responsible for the design and delivery of a global portfolio of large-scale destination conferences (2,000+ audiences) and hundreds of local events.  Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Conference Design and Management: Venues, Creative Production and Experience, Technology, Logistics and Exhibition Operations  

• Overall event planning including venue, food & beverage, audio/visual, transportation 

• Global Budget and Supplier Management 

• Strategic portfolio planning 

Collaborating across Gartner to ensure effective operations, this role will report to the GVP of Conferences Operations. 

What You Will Do  

This role directly supports the GVP, Conferences Operations on identifying, tracking, and leading high-impact initiatives and programs in line with business priorities, in partnership with the Conferences Operations leadership team. 

Organizational scalability - Optimizing the Operations organization as it rapidly scales – helping define and deliver the organizational vision and priorities for the Operations function.  This is an opportunity to learn and shape the Conferences Operations function from the inside. This will include identifying current gaps that are potentially impeding business scaling and contributing to efficient resource planning strategy and execution.  Longer term, this person will help to define the organizational design and capabilities required to support a business twice the size of today. 

Operational efficiency - Leading efficiency projects in partnership with members of Operations leadership team that may include new tools and technologies to help ensure we are prepared for a large-scale business. This would include transitioning plans from old processes and technologies into new technologies, including possible AI solutions.   

Strategic Project Management - Leading strategic projects in partnership with members of Operations leadership team, helping to apply more rigorous data analysis and problem-solving frameworks in partnership with the existing functional experts.  This will require defining and implementing creative and scalable solutions to complex, often ambiguous, problems that drive meaningful and measurable business impact demonstrated through increased operational efficiency, and/or improved operating margins. 

Directly supporting the GVP of Conferences Operations in preparing leadership meetings and executive presentations.

What we’re looking for:  

• Experience:  10-15+ years of progressive business experience, preferably in a strategy or consulting role with a focus on operations 

• Exceptional problem-solving capability:  You have a proven track record of solving complex problems, thinking creatively and using data to tell a story  

• Commercial acumen  and experience in working with Sales; building business cases and getting buy-in from senior leadership 

• Fast-paced:  You operate with a sense of “urgency” and can excel in an execution-focused environment.  You are incredibly organized, enabling you to operate at scale, at pace, and with precision. 

• Relationship builder:  You work well with others and effectively harness the power of collaboration 

• Passion:  You are intellectually curious and have the hunger to proactively and independently identify the opportunities where you can drive the most impact for the business 

• Drive / Self-sufficiency:  You have a demonstrated ability to own a problem and aggressively drive from problem statement to solution in a self-sufficient capacity, even in a matrixed environment 

• Communication skills:  You’re an excellent and structured verbal and written communicator with exceptional presentation and platform skills  

• Executive presence:  You have the ability to effectively engage, lead and influence senior Gartner executives - this role offers high visibility and access to senior Conferences and Gartner leadership 

• Strong core values:  You demonstrate integrity, collaboration, a no-limits mindset, objectivity, and consistent results using global best practices 

• Leadership experience:  You’ve led successful initiatives, engaging teams and key stakeholders across business functions and all the way up the organizational ladder  

• Influence:  Must demonstrate a high level of collaboration and strong negotiation skills 

• Education:  Bachelor's degree required, Masters preferred