Events Lead

About the Position Bluefish is defining agentic marketing and how we show up in the world matters as much as what we build. As our Events Lead , you will own the full events function: from our inaugural owned thought leadership event to sponsored industry moments, client roundtables, and field experiences. You'll be both the strategist and the operator — the person who sees the big picture and makes sure every detail lands. This is a senior, high-ownership role for someone who knows how to build an events program from the ground up and isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves to do it. What You'll Do: Operations & Production Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of Bluefish's global events portfolio, including our inaugural one-day, multi-session owned thought leadership event, sponsored events, client roundtables, webinars, and field experiences. Oversee all event operations end-to-end — budgets, timelines, creative development, main stage production, breakout sessions, on-site staffing, and vendor relationships — executed with precision and creativity. Project manage external agencies and production teams to bring event experiences to life through thoughtful design, world-class production, and seamless logistics. Negotiate and manage contracts with city tourism boards, DMCs, convention centers, hotel room blocks, and unionized venues. Build and manage custom registration sites and event apps that capture travel requirements and customized scheduling. Travel to lead on-site execution, manage teams and partners, and represent Bluefish with professionalism and authenticity. Manage logistical requirements for planning, staging, and shipping of tradeshow properties, products, and supporting materials. Executive Management Collaborate closely with executive leaders and cross-functional teams to shape event objectives, content, and storytelling that reflect our vision, values, and voice. Serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, providing strategic recommendations, creative direction, and calm problem-solving under pressure. Establish staffing requirements, secure approvals, and recruit employees to support events as needed. Maintain clear communication with internal and external stakeholders through detailed briefs and regular planning updates. Content & Programming Partner with the Marketing Lead and Editorial Manager to build compelling content and programming — working with internal stakeholders and speakers to craft narratives that inspire, educate, and spark conversation. Define objectives, messaging, and audience generation strategies for each event, including email campaigns, speaker plans, collateral, and registration. Research and evaluate potential guest speakers and external voices to elevate programming. Stay ahead of industry trends in experiential marketing, technology, and event innovation to keep Bluefish's presence fresh and forward-thinking. Strategy & Measurement Own the events calendar, aligning all activity with broader marketing strategy and business goals — from research and conception through budget reconciliation and ROI tracking. Gather competitive intelligence, industry trends, and business objectives to inform event marketing recommendations. Track marketing development fund budgets for Business Development and report on effectiveness, including leads, pipeline influence, and other key metrics. Use data and feedback to measure success, evaluate ROI, and continuously evolve how Bluefish shows up through live and digital experiences. Collaborate across the broader marketing team to find efficiencies, implement best practices, and support other event initiatives as needed. Who You Are: 10-14 years of experience leading events across owned conferences, field marketing, sponsored trade shows, and client experiences — ideally within a SaaS, Martech, or high-growth startup environment. A strategic thinker and hands-on operator — equally comfortable shaping event strategy as you are managing on-site