Global Expansion Director – New Markets

Global Expansion Director – New Markets & Continents AI WEEK | Executive Leadership Position | Europe-based Have you ever brought a major tech event to a new continent? We want to meet you. About AI WEEK
- www.aiweek.it AI WEEK is one of Europe's major events dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, connecting business leaders, technology companies, researchers, innovators and institutions. In 2026, our Milan edition brought together:
• 27,000+ participants
• 700 speakers
• 300 brands
• Attendees from 70 countries Now, we're ready for our next chapter. Our ambition is to take AI WEEK beyond Europe and build a truly global platform of AI conferences and exhibitions across multiple continents. To make this happen, we're hiring an experienced Global Expansion Director to join our executive leadership team. This is a senior executive position with significant strategic responsibility, decision-making authority and direct involvement in building AI WEEK's international business. Your Mission You will lead AI WEEK's international expansion, from identifying new markets to negotiating agreements and successfully launching new editions. Your responsibilities will include:
• Define and execute the global expansion strategy across new continents and markets.
• Establish strategic relationships with governments, host cities, convention bureaus, institutions and international organizations.
• Structure and negotiate hosting agreements, joint ventures, licensing models and local partnerships.
• Develop business plans, investment requirements and revenue models for new event editions.
• Secure strategic sponsors, exhibitors and commercial partnerships.
• Build and lead local teams and international business operations.
• Own expansion budgets, commercial performance and financial objectives.
• Work directly with the founders on international growth decisions. Who We're Looking For We're particularly interested in executives with experience at international event platforms such as Web Summit, Mobile World Congress, GITEX, VivaTech, South Summit, or comparable global conferences and exhibitions. The ideal candidate has:
• Proven experience launching or scaling major international B2B events in new countries or continents.
• Previous leadership responsibilities in international expansion, general management or strategic business development.
• A successful track record negotiating high-value institutional and commercial agreements.
• Strong knowledge of international exhibition and conference business models.
• An established international network across multiple regions.
• Entrepreneurial thinking, strong commercial judgment and excellent leadership skills.
• Fluency in English and availability for frequent international travel. We are looking for an executive who has already helped build an international event business, not simply managed an event.

What We Offer
• Executive-level, full-time employment within AI WEEK's organization.
• Annual gross fixed salary above €100,000, commensurate with experience and responsibilities.
• Additional performance-based bonus, linked to strategic agreements, successful event launches and financial results.
• Direct reporting to the founders.
• Significant autonomy and ownership of the international expansion strategy.
• The opportunity to develop and lead new business operations across multiple continents.
• Europe-based position with frequent international travel. The position is intended for an established senior executive. Formal employment classification will reflect the applicable country and contractual framework. What Success Looks Like Success will be measured through tangible international expansion achievements:
• Strategic agreements with new host cities and partners.
• Financially sustainable business models for international editions.
• Successful launches of AI WEEK in new markets and continents.
• Revenue generation and long-term profitability of the international event portfolio. Join Us If you've helped bring a major international conference or exhibition to a new continent, we'd love to hear your story. Apply through LinkedIn with your professional profile and a brief description of the international expansion projects you've personally led. Let's build AI WEEK across continents. Annual Gross Base

Salary:
Above €100,000 + Performance-Based Bonus