Senior Event Project Manager

About The Company
At Smartness, we are building the future of hospitality tech. Backed by top international investors and named one of Italy's Top 10 LinkedIn Startups, we are on a mission to scale globally. Let's go We're looking for a Senior Event Manager to take ownership of our events strategy and execution, helping Smartness strengthen its brand presence, build meaningful relationships with customers and prospects, and generate new business opportunities across international markets. From major international trade fairs to exclusive customer events, you'll be responsible for bringing our brand to life through memorable experiences. This isn't just about organizing events. We want someone who can think strategically, bring creative ideas to the table, and turn every event into a measurable business opportunity. You'll manage approximately 30/40 events per year , working closely with Marketing, Sales, and external partners, with a particular focus on Italy and the DACH region. Event strategy & planning: define and execute an events strategy aligned with Smartness' marketing and business objectives, identifying the right opportunities to increase brand awareness, customer engagement, and lead generation. End-to-end event management: take full ownership of trade fairs, industry conferences, customer events, and smaller initiatives with industry associations, from initial planning and logistics to on-site execution and post-event follow-up. Creative concept development: go beyond traditional event management by developing original, engaging concepts that make Smartness stand out. From booth design and branding to staff experience, presentations, and event activities, you'll make sure every detail reflects our identity. Budget & supplier management: manage event budgets of varying sizes, from smaller initiatives to major international trade fairs, ensuring efficient resource allocation, negotiating with suppliers, and delivering high-quality experiences within budget. International trade fairs & events: coordinate Smartness' participation in major industry events, including TTG, BIT, and international trade fairs, particularly in Germany and Austria. You'll also attend selected events to oversee execution and identify opportunities to improve our presence. Owned events & special projects: lead the organization of Smartness' own events, such as Momentum, contributing to the creative concept, speaker engagement, sponsorship coordination, and overall attendee experience. Performance analysis & ROI: track event KPIs, evaluate results, and continuously optimize our approach. You'll help ensure our events generate measurable business impact, including a target of at least 2× ROI on trade fair investments. Experience in event management: You have at least 7 years of experience managing corporate events, trade fairs, conferences, or B2B events, ideally within a SaaS company. You know how to develop compelling event concepts, challenge traditional approaches, and create experiences that make a brand memorable. Strong project management

skills:
You're highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple events, stakeholders, and deadlines simultaneously without losing sight of the bigger picture. Data-driven mindset: You understand that successful events aren't just about attendance or aesthetics. Stakeholder management: You can effectively coordinate internal teams, external agencies, suppliers, speakers, and business partners, keeping everyone aligned even in complex situations. You take responsibility from start to finish, anticipate challenges, and find practical solutions when things don't go according to plan. Language

skills:
You're fluent in Italian and English. Knowledge of German is a significant plus, given our presence in the DACH market. You're available to attend events and trade fairs in Italy and abroad, particularly in Germany and Austria. You understand that events sometimes require flexibility, including occasional evenings and weekends. Previous experience in hospitality or travel tech is welcome, but not required. The opportunity to join one of the best travel-tech sales teams in Europe. A place where your talent can blossom. A place where your voice matters – meetings provide space for new ideas and projects, regardless of your role or seniority. Work with the best software out there to automate repetitive tasks and let you focus on customers and targets. Remote working. A gross annual salary between €40,000 and €50,000, depending on experience. We work much harder than most companies out there. Every day, we step out of our comfort zones, fueling rapid growth and learning, even though it might come with its stress. Should we feel that this role isn't the right match for you, for the benefit of both parties, we may need to part ways. We hope this sheds light on whether this could be your next adventure