Company Description

Informa Markets, a division within Informa, creates global platforms for industries. We organise over 500 large-scale branded and transaction-oriented events in 14 specialist markets. These are typically not-to-be-missed annual events where buyers and sellers build relationships, see and show products and do business.

We also provide year-round online platforms where companies showcase their businesses and products and buyers conduct research, generating valuable leads, and we provide data and digital content that supports the flow of knowledge and transactions in markets.

Job Description

The Retail Manager is a player/coach role responsible for managing the Retail/Buyer Acquisition teams to ensure the success of key retail partner and attendee relationships at our events. This position focuses on driving engagement, satisfaction, and retention for retailers and buyers by creating personalized experiences and building lasting partnerships. The Retail Manager leads efforts to attract, retain, and support retail partners and buyers, ensuring they receive maximum value from their event experience. The role requires a dynamic, data-driven leader with a strong background in customer engagement, team management, and event strategy. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Lead and Recruit: Spearhead efforts to attract and recruit key retail partners, buyers, and other influential attendees to participate in events. 

Engagement Strategies: Develop and execute strategies to engage potential buyers, working in close collaboration with sales and marketing teams to convert prospects into confirmed attendees. 

Relationship Building: Establish and maintain strong, long-term relationships with retailers, industry leaders, and buyers, ensuring their continued participation and engagement in future events. 

On-Site Support: Provide hands-on support to buyers during events, assisting them with navigation, connecting with the right exhibitors, and helping them achieve their business goals. 

Trusted Advisor: Act as a trusted advisor to retail partners, offering tailored assistance with event navigation, networking, and connections to exhibitors and sponsors. 

Problem Resolution: Address and resolve any issues or concerns that arise during events, ensuring buyers receive maximum value and a seamless experience. 

Collaboration with Marketing: Partner with marketing and PR teams to develop retail-specific messaging, promotional materials, and targeted event promotions to drive engagement and attendance. 

Messaging Alignment: Ensure that buyer acquisition messaging aligns with the broader event strategy, maintaining consistency across all communications. 

Team Leadership & Strategic Alignment: 

Team Management: Lead and guide the Retail/Buyer Acquisition team, ensuring all activities are aligned with the event's strategic goals. 

Data-Driven Culture: Foster a data-driven approach within the teams, utilizing insights to inform decisions, optimize strategies, and drive team performance. 

Cross-Department Liaison: Act as the primary liaison between the Retail/Buyer Acquisition teams and other internal departments, ensuring smooth communication and alignment in executing customer acquisition and retention initiatives. 

Goal Setting & Metrics: Establish clear goals, KPIs, and performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of both teams and ensure the achievement of overall event objectives. 

 

Qualifications

Experience: 5 years of experience in sales, retail, trade shows, or related fields, with at least 2 years in a people management role. 

Proven Success: Demonstrated success in attendee acquisition, managing retail relationships, and driving engagement at large-scale events or trade shows. 

Data-Driven Decision Making: Strong background in leveraging data and analytics to drive decision-making and optimize processes. 

Leadership Skills: Excellent leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate, coach, and inspire teams to achieve goals. 

Communication & Relationship Building: Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with experience working closely with external partners, customers, and cross-functional teams. 

Problem-Solving Abilities: Strong problem-solving capabilities, with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to improving the customer experience. 

CRM & Event Platforms: Experience with CRM and event management platforms, as well as familiarity with marketing automation and customer segmentation tools. 

Industry Experience: Experience in B2B events or the fashion/retail industry is a plus. 

Strategic Mindset: A strategic thinker with a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences and optimizing event outcomes. 

Adaptability: Results-oriented with the ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. 

Organizational Skills: Highly organized, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining focus on the broader objectives. 

Collaboration: Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively within a team-oriented environment and align with overarching event goals. 

This posting will automatically expire on 01/31/2025

Additional Information

We work hard to make sure Life at Informa is rewarding, supportive and enjoyable for everyone. Here’s some of what you can expect when you join us. But don’t just take our word for it – see what our colleagues have to say at  LifeAt.Informa.com

Our benefits include: 

Freedom & flexibility: colleagues rate us highly for the flexibility and trust they receive, and we support a range of working patterns.Great community: a welcoming culture with in-person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World charity day and active diversity and inclusion networks.Broader impact: take up to four days per year to volunteer, with charity match funding available too.Career opportunity: the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms and on-demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning. When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves.Time out: 15 days PTO rising to 20 after three years and 25 after six years, plus 10 national holidays, a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year.Competitive benefits, including a 401k match, parental leave and an ESPP offering company shares at a minimum 15% discount.Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, free access to a wellness app and more.Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programs.As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world.The salary range for this position $76,500-$95,000/YR depending on experience.

We’re not solely focused on a checklist of skills. We champion energy and ambition and look for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up, join in and help make things happen. If it sounds like a match and you have most – although not all – of the skills and experience listed, we welcome your application. At Informa, you'll find inclusive experiences and environments where all perspectives and backgrounds 
are welcomed. As part of this approach and our diversity and inclusion commitments, we are also formally an Equal Opportunities Employer. This means we base decisions on relevant qualifications and merit and do not discriminate on the basis of key characteristics and statuses, including all of those protected by law. Ask us or see our website for full information. 

See how Informa handles your personal data when you apply for a job here.