Marketing Engagement Events Manager

Description

Sun World International is seeking an experienced Marketing Engagement Events Manager to lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of corporate, regional, and international events that strengthen brand visibility, support commercial objectives, and foster engagement with licensees, retailers, growers, and industry partners.

As a key member of the Global Marketing team, this role oversees Sun World's event portfolio, including Field Days, tradeshows, customer engagement programs, and industry networking experiences. Working cross-functionally with internal stakeholders and external partners, the Marketing Engagement Events Manager ensures exceptional event execution, meaningful participant experiences, and measurable business impact.

In addition to event leadership, this role manages event budgets, forecasting, vendor contracts, sponsorships, and financial reporting, ensuring operational excellence and strong return on investment. The ideal candidate combines strategic planning, project management, financial acumen, and attention to detail to successfully deliver high-impact events in a fast-paced, global environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Event Strategy, Planning & Execution:

• Lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of Sun World's California Field Days, regional Field Days, tradeshows, corporate events, and customer engagement programs.
• Develop annual event strategies, objectives, timelines, and success metrics aligned with commercial, licensing, and marketing priorities.
• Oversee all event logistics, including venue sourcing, catering, accommodations, transportation, audiovisual requirements, signage, materials, and attendee experiences.
• Design and deliver engaging event experiences that support relationship-building knowledge sharing, and business development objectives.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, timelines, planning trackers, and operational checklists to ensure successful execution.
• Provide on-site leadership during events, managing vendors, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring seamless event delivery.
• Develop contingency plans and proactively manage event-related risks to ensure business continuity and successful outcomes.

Engagement & Attendee Experience:

• Develop and manage event communication plans, including invitations, registration communications, logistical updates, attendee materials, and post-event follow-up.
• Oversee registration systems, attendee tracking, reporting, and event communications to ensure a seamless participant experience.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for attendees, speakers, sponsors, and stakeholders before, during, and after events.
• Partner with the broader marketing & engagement team to ensure event messaging, branding, and participant communications align with organizational objectives.
• Identify opportunities to enhance attendee engagement, satisfaction, and overall event effectiveness.

Tradeshow, Sponsorship & Vendor Management:

• Lead planning and execution of corporate tradeshows, exhibitions, sponsorship activations, and related networking functions.
• Manage sponsorship programs, including sponsor communications, deliverables, branded materials, and on-site coordination.
• Source, negotiate, and manage relationships with venues, vendors, agencies, and service providers to ensure high-quality delivery and favorable business terms.
• Oversee contracts, service agreements, invoices, and vendor performance evaluations.

Financial Planning & Budget Management:

• Develop, manage, and track annual event budgets across corporate, regional, and tradeshow programs.
• Prepare forecasts, monitor expenditures, and identify opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies.
• Oversee purchase orders, invoicing, sponsorship tracking, vendor payments, and financial documentation.
• Perform budget reconciliations and provide detailed post-event financial reporting and analysis.
• Partner with Finance to support budgeting, forecasting, accruals, and financial reporting requirements.
• Analyze spending trends and provide recommendations to improve resource allocation and return on investment.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration:

• Partner with Licensing, GTS, R&D, and overall commercial teams to align event strategies and logistics with business priorities.
• Facilitate planning meetings and provide regular project updates to leadership, internal stakeholders, vendors, and external partners.
• Build strong relationships across the organization to ensure alignment, accountability, and successful execution of event initiatives.
• Establish and maintain best practices, planning tools, policies, and operational processes that support scalability and continuous improvement.

Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement:

• Measure event performance through attendance metrics, participant feedback, engagement data, budget performance, and business outcomes.
• Prepare post-event reports and executive summaries highlighting results, insights, and recommendations.
• Leverage data and stakeholder feedback to improve future event planning, operational efficiency, and attendee experiences.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, enhance engagement, and increase overall program effectiveness.

Requirements:

• Degree in Event Management, or related field preferred 
  • Equivalent experience in events, operations, or financial management will be considered in lieu of degree.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience leading corporate events, tradeshows, conferences, customer engagement programs, or related marketing initiatives.
• Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-stakeholder events from strategy through execution.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, expense management, and account reconciliation.
• Experience managing contracts, sponsorships, purchase orders, invoicing, and vendor financial relationships.
• Proven expertise in project management, timeline coordination, vendor management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and event management platforms.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% of the time as business needs require. Travel will include 3 international trips per year (lasting 1 week each), plus 1 domestic trade show per year (1 week) plus 1 – 2 domestic consumer events (lasting less than 1 week each). 

Compensation: Base salary range of $80,000 to $92,000 (depending on experience) plus a target bonus of 10%

Work schedule/location: This person will need to live within a commutable distance to Bakersfield, CA (within 3 hours). Will need to be able to work onsite at the Bakersfield office when necessary. Some weeks may be all work from home, some weeks may be in office all week. 

Work environment tolerance/physical endurance: Perform work in varying weather conditions, including extreme summer heat. Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel and crouch for up to 8 hours per shift. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. 

Sun World International LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity. The company does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic forbidden under federal, state or local law.