Director, Strategic Events

Summary

Join Chainguard as their Director of Strategic Events and lead major events, Chainguard-hosted programs, and virtual experiences. You will develop and execute event strategies, partner with various teams, design engaging experiences, manage pre- and post-event activities, and create sponsorship opportunities. This role requires managing a team, building partnerships, measuring event performance, and occasional travel. The ideal candidate has extensive B2B event management experience in the enterprise software industry, with a proven ability to lead and mentor teams. Chainguard offers a variety of benefits, including equity/stock options, unlimited PTO, remote work flexibility, and comprehensive health insurance.

Requirements

• 10-12 years of relevant B2B event management experience
• Direct experience in enterprise software industry and SaaS required, with international and high-growth startup experience preferred
• Experience navigating both in-person and virtual events, with a creative eye for hybrid experiences
• Experience working directly with CEOs and C-level executives. Ability to engage with and influence senior executives with gravitas
• Ability to build relationships with internal partners to understand and communicate business strategy
• Proven ability to effectively lead and mentor multiple team members
• A growth mindset and passion for building high-functioning teams
• Ability to strike the right balance between strategy and execution
• A detail-oriented, analytical approach, with the ability to manage multiple, high-profile projects and deliverables

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the strategy and annual calendar for key industry events, Chainguard-hosted programs (e.g., customer conference, roadshows, webinars, and developer events), and executive initiatives
• Partner with Product Marketing, Content and Dev team to execute a comprehensive webinar program, including live and on-demand formats, to support lead generation and pipeline growth
• Design impactful event experiences for both in-person and virtual audiences
• Drive pre-event promotions to boost registrations and attendance, and manage post-event follow-ups to maximize impact
• Create partnership and sponsorship opportunities to strengthen Chainguard’s ecosystem
• Manage Chainguard’s participation in third-tradeshow and events, including sponsorships, branding, sessions, and experiences
• Lead and grow a high-performing event marketing team to exceed goals and elevate the Chainguard brand
• Build and maintain a network of partners for venue sourcing, production, branding, and logistics
• Measure and optimize event performance through ROI, engagement, and audience feedback
• Travel as needed to support key events

Preferred Qualifications

International and high-growth startup experience

Benefits

• Equity/stock options
• Unlimited PTO
• Remote work with flexible coworking and team meetup opportunities
• Home office and internet stipend
• 100% health/dental/vision insurance coverage for you and your family
• Monthly Wellness budget