Manager, Conferences Growth Strategy

The Manager, Conferences Growth Strategy is responsible for preparing new conference launches for a fast, successful start.  New launches are a critical growth lever for the Conferences business.  This role partners across all go-to-market (GTM) functions to ensure market readiness and that there is an optimal runway to achieve full commercial potential.  This includes mobilizing a cross-functional GTM taskforce, equipping teams with relevant tools and resources, and ensuring timely execution of post-approval milestones. In partnership with internal communications, program management, and marketing, the Manager also guides the communication process. By tracking performance and applying insights, this role continuously refines our GTM launch approach, driving growth and maximizing impact.  Beyond new launches, the Manager collaborates closely with product and program management leadership to evolve the portfolio strategy, supporting overall conference growth and keeping internal stakeholders informed throughout the process. 

About the team: 

The Conferences Strategy team is trusted advisors and strategic partners for the Conferences business. We work across all functions - including sales, marketing, product, and operations - as well as with key stakeholders throughout Gartner. Our mandate is to accelerate growth, solve complex operational challenges, and ensure our portfolio remains at the forefront of the industry. 

• Growth strategy – Leading the end-to-end conference launch process including roadmap planning, opportunity assessment, financial assessment and facilitating the decision-making process to support our overall growth priorities in close partnership with stakeholders across the business. 

• Strategic Initiatives – Enabling our growth strategy by problem-solving operational priorities required to scale the business with cross-functional leaders by leveraging our problem-solving forums—Strategy Meetings & Key Initiative Meetings. 

• Innovation & Intelligence – Analyzing competitive insights and market trends to uncover opportunities for innovation and adaptation, ensuring we stay ahead in any environment. By collaborating with leaders across corporate development, product, program, sales, and conferences leadership, we keep the organization informed and aligned on high-impact initiatives to strengthen our portfolio. 

What you will do:  

• Mobilize Go-to-Market Process: Oversee the end-to-end go-to-market process for new and evolving conferences, continuously refining as the business evolves, ensuring optimal readiness and execution for launch. 

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Lead a cross-functional GTM taskforce, driving alignment and fostering collaboration among program, sales, marketing, and operations teams equipping them necessary planning insights, resources, and tools to ensure they are set up for success. 

• Communication Process: Partner with internal communications, program management, and marketing to ensure all business leaders and stakeholders are informed and aligned on the GTM timeline across launches and portfolio evolution. 

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Leverage performance data and feedback to generate actionable insights, inform future planning, and continuously evolve the GTM process. 

• Meeting Preparation: Prepare and deliver data-driven insights, assessments, and presentation materials for meetings to gain feedback, secure approvals, and drive decision-making. 

• Special Projects & Strategic Initiatives: Lead or support various initiatives in collaboration with partner teams (program, sales, marketing, operations) to address emerging needs and advance broader business priorities. 

• Travel: Ability to travel up to 10% of the time. 

What we’re looking for: 

• Experience: 4-7+ years of relevant experience in conferences, go-to-market, strategy, product, or a related field, ideally within a matrixed or cross-functional environment. 

• Project & Taskforce Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and taskforces, manage complex projects, and drive initiatives from concept through execution. 

• Data-Driven: Strong analytical skills with experience using data to inform strategy, measure performance, and drive continuous improvement. 

• Problem-solving capability: Proven track record in solving complex problems, thinking creatively, and using data to drive decisions. 

• Purposeful Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to develop compelling presentations and facilitate clear, consistent communications with diverse audiences.