Manager, Business Operations/Events

Position Summary:

The Manager, Business Operations/Events will serve as a strategic business partner supporting commercial organization through operational excellence, meeting strategy, and compliant execution of internal and external engagements. This role combines business operations, project management, and pharmaceutical meeting planning to drive execution across cross-functional initiatives, optimize operational processes, and ensure successful delivery of high-impact programs.

The individual will oversee Preferred Logistics Agencies (PLAs) and external vendors while independently managing a broad portfolio of complex live, hybrid, and virtual meetings, including advisory boards, investigator meetings, speaker programs, national sales meetings, leadership meetings, congress support, and executive events. The role partners closely with Commercial, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Compliance, Legal, Procurement, Finance, and Executive Leadership to ensure all activities align with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

This position is expected to identify operational efficiencies, improve business processes, manage budgets, mitigate risk, and deliver exceptional stakeholder support in a highly regulated pharmaceutical environment.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Serve as a trusted operational partner to Marketing, Sales and Market Access, and Executive Leadership teams.
• Lead cross-functional operational initiatives that improve planning, execution, communication, and business effectiveness.
• Develop project plans, timelines, governance processes, and operational frameworks that support strategic business priorities.
• Identify opportunities to streamline business processes, improve efficiencies, and implement best practices across the organization.
• Monitor operational metrics, budgets, vendor performance, and project milestones while providing recommendations to leadership.
• Support annual planning, business reviews, forecasting, and operational reporting.

Meetings & Events Management

• Lead the planning and execution of domestic and global internal and external meetings, including: National Sales Meetings, Advisory Boards, Speaker Programs, Congresses and Scientific Meetings, Leadership Meetings, Commercial Training Meetings, Virtual and Hybrid Events
• Develop meeting strategies aligned with commercial and corporate objectives.
• Manage venue sourcing, contract negotiations, budgeting, registration, travel logistics, food & beverage, audiovisual production, meeting technology, and onsite execution.
• Deliver exceptional support for executive leadership meetings and high-profile corporate events.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure all meetings and engagements comply with pharmaceutical industry regulations, including: HCP engagement requirements, Sunshine Act/Open Payments reporting, Global Spend Transparency, FMV requirements, Anti-Bribery/Anti-Corruption policies, Company compliance policies
• Partner with Compliance, Legal, Finance, and Global Spend Transparency teams to proactively identify and mitigate compliance risks.
• Ensure accurate transfer of value reporting and documentation for all applicable HCP interactions.

Vendor & Agency Management

• Oversee Preferred Logistics Agencies (PLAs), meeting agencies, and external vendors to ensure consistent execution and compliance.
• Establish vendor performance metrics and monitor service quality, budget adherence, and operational excellence.
• Lead contract negotiations with hotels, venues, production companies, and suppliers to maximize value while mitigating business risk.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with agency partners.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage meeting and operational budgets.
• Track expenditures, forecasts, and reconciliation activities.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining high-quality execution.
• Partner with Procurement and Finance on vendor management and contract compliance.

Qualification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 6+ years of experience in pharmaceutical meeting planning, or project management.
• Experience supporting Commercial, Medical Affairs, or Corporate Operations within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex cross-functional initiatives in a growing organization.
• Experience planning and executing pharmaceutical meetings and events.
• Experience managing third-party vendors and logistics agencies.
• Project management experience with multiple concurrent initiatives.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical industry regulations and compliance requirements, including HCP engagement, Sunshine Act/Open Payments, Global Spend Transparency, and industry codes of conduct.
• Exceptional business operations and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong strategic planning and project management capabilities.
• Experience developing operational processes and workflow improvements.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority.
• Excellent contract negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Strong analytical, budgeting, forecasting, and financial management experience.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level presentations.
• High level of professionalism and customer service supporting senior leadership.
• Strong knowledge of meeting technology, virtual event platforms, hospitality, audiovisual production, and event management best practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and event management platforms (Cvent preferred).
• CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) and/or CMM (Certificate of Meeting Management) certification preferred but not required.

Travel

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30–40% as business needs require.
• May include company holiday and weekends