Manager, Trade Show & Event Stores

Lifeway Christian Resources

Manager for Trade Shows & Event Stores ensuring operational excellence for Lifeway's events. Leading a team to coordinate 60 annual trade shows and providing strategic execution to honor Lifeway's mission.

Posted 7/3/2026full-timeBrentwood • Tennessee • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Owns and drives the operational strategy for approximately 60 annual trade shows and event stores
Ensures consistent, on-brand execution that serves churches and honors Lifeway's mission
Defines event needs including size, layout, product curation, pricing strategy, signage, and attendee experience for national event stores and trade show conferences
Leads the product curation process for all event stores, consulting with ministry teams to align offerings with church needs and Lifeway's resources strategy
Oversees design, layout, and merchandising of exhibits, hospitality suites, trade show booths, and special projects — including oversight of new exhibit construction with cost management accountability
Leads, coaches, and develops a cross-trained team of Event Leads and Coordinators capable of executing both trade shows and event stores with consistency and confidence
Serves as on-site planning and logistics lead for major national events and trade shows, providing hands-on leadership across 20+ events per year
Negotiates contracts with venues, transportation vendors, catering providers, and event partners to meet annual budget goals
Oversee a $1M+ annual budget including forecasting, expense management, variance analysis, and post-event financial reconciliation
Partners cross-functionally with Strategy & Creative, Finance, Logistics, IT, and Warehouse teams to coordinate responsibilities and maintain accountability across the event calendar
Drives continuous improvement through post-event reviews, data analysis, and development of standardized workflows and SOPs for scalable event execution

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree - Marketing, Event Management, Business, Communications, etc. or equivalent combination of education and experience, required
8–10 years of event operations or large-scale event management experience, including trade shows and national event stores from planning through post-event reporting
5+ years of team leadership or people management experience in a fast-paced, travel-intensive event environment
3+ years of vendor management and contract negotiation experience with venues, catering, transportation, and event partners
Demonstrated expertise in large-scale event logistics including freight, inventory workflows, merchandising, and travel coordination
Strong financial management skills including budgeting, expense tracking, variance analysis, and financial reconciliation for event programs
Proven ability to develop standardized workflows, SOPs, and process improvements that drive consistency and scalability across high-volume programs
Actively involved in an evangelical Christian church

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive benefits plans including healthcare
Vacation and sick time
Holiday pay
Care days
401(k) plan
Maternity and paternity leave
Adoption assistance
Mission trip time
Equipment and resources to ensure productivity
Flexible work arrangements

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Event ManagementBudget ManagementContract NegotiationLogistics CoordinationData AnalysisProcess ImprovementProduct CurationExpense TrackingSOP DevelopmentInventory Management

Soft Skills

LeadershipCoachingCollaborationCommunicationProblem-Solving