VP, Business Operations - Conferences Operations

The Vice President of Business Operations – Conferences Operations will help optimize and scale the Global Conferences Operations function as we rapidly scale the Conferences business. The VP will act as a strategic partner to the GVP of Conferences Operations and the Global Operations Leadership Team. This role requires proven experience in a business leadership/management role, with a special focus on executive‑level advising, project execution, and key interdepartmental collaboration across Gartner.

The Conferences Operations organization at Gartner is responsible for the design and delivery of a global portfolio of large‑scale destination conferences (2,000+ audiences) and hundreds of local events. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conference Design and Management:
  Venues, Creative Production and Experience, Technology, Logistics and Exhibition Operations
• Overall event planning including venue, food & beverage, audio/visual, transportation
• Global Budget and Supplier Management
• Strategic portfolio planning

Collaborating across Gartner to ensure effective operations, this role will report to the GVP of Conferences Operations.

In this role you will support the GVP of Conferences Operations in identifying, tracking, and leading high‑impact initiatives and programs in line with business priorities, in partnership with the Conferences Operations leadership team.

Organizational scalability – optimize the Operations organization as it rapidly scales, helping define and deliver the organizational vision and priorities for the Operations function. You will identify current gaps that impede business scaling and contribute to efficient resource planning strategy and execution. Longer term, you will help define the organizational design and capabilities required to support a business twice the size of today.

Operational efficiency – lead efficiency projects in partnership with Operations leadership that may include new tools and technologies to ensure we are prepared for a large‑scale business. This will include transitioning plans from old processes and technologies into new technologies, including possible AI solutions.

Strategic project management – lead strategic projects in partnership with Operations leadership, applying rigorous data analysis and problem‑solving frameworks. You will define and implement creative and scalable solutions to complex, often ambiguous problems that drive measurable business impact through increased operational efficiency and improved operating margins.

Directly support the GVP of Conferences Operations in preparing leadership meetings and executive presentations.

• 10‑15+ years of progressive business experience, preferably in a strategy or consulting role with a focus on operations
• Exceptional problem‑solving capability and a proven track record of solving complex problems, thinking creatively and using data to tell a story
• Commercial acumen and experience working with Sales; building business cases and getting buy‑in from senior leadership
• Fast‑paced; able to operate with a sense of urgency and excel in an execution‑focused environment; highly organized, able to operate at scale, pace and with precision
• Relationship builder; works well with others and harnesses the power of collaboration
• Passion and intellectual curiosity; proactively identifies opportunities to drive the most impact for the business
• Drive and self‑sufficiency; owns a problem and aggressively drives from problem statement to solution in a self‑sufficient capacity, even in a matrixed environment
• Excellent structured verbal and written communication, exceptional presentation and platform skills
• Executive presence; effectively engages, leads and influences senior Gartner executives – high visibility and access to senior Conferences and Gartner leadership
• Strong core values: integrity, collaboration, no‑limits mindset, objectivity, and consistent results using global best practices
• Leadership experience: led successful initiatives, engaging teams and key stakeholders across business functions up the organizational ladder
• Influence:…