📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Event Marketing Associate
🔹 Company: Ciena
🔹 Location: London, Amsterdam, Riyadh
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-23
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with ~20% travel)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Project managing and delivering industry trade shows and hosted events
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
- Managing event logistics, marketing deliverables, and budgets
- Evaluating and recommending potential trade show opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, communication, and project management skills to successfully coordinate multiple events and stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Project manage and deliver industry trade shows and hosted events, ensuring alignment with corporate and regional objectives
✅ Manage event logistics, including hotel block management, catering, technical AV equipment, and on-site management
✅ Coordinate marketing deliverables such as pre- and post-show marketing communications, internal and external web pages, booth graphics, and branded merchandise
✅ Evaluate and recommend potential trade show opportunities, and continually monitor technology trade shows
✅ Manage event budgets, track expenses, and ensure maximum ROI is achieved
✅ Conduct post-event evaluation to drive strategic recommendations and improve effectiveness and efficiency
ASSUMPTION: This role involves frequent travel (~20% of the time) and working with various stakeholders, requiring strong communication and organizational skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Event Management, Marketing, Hospitality, or a related discipline (or a related discipline such as a Marketing or Hospitality degree) is considered an asset
Experience: Minimum 5 years of professional experience planning and coordinating B2B trade shows and events with a demonstrated ability to engage effectively with users and stakeholders
Required Skills:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Collaborative and positive attitude with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and time-zones
- Energy, flexibility, and a solutions-oriented mindset
- Self-starter with outstanding organizational and project management abilities
- Comfortable with multi-tasking and catering to various stakeholders' requirements
- Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines within a fast-paced environment
- Ability to reprioritize multiple projects as deadlines and objectives change
- Creative flair and a passion for events
- Experience with budget management
- Knowledge of SalesForce (SFDC) and Cvent preferred
- Knowledge of the technology industry is preferred
Preferred Skills:
- Diploma in Event Management / Planning (e.g., CIM Accredited course or Diploma)
ASSUMPTION: While a degree in Event Management is considered an asset, the required skills and experience are more critical for success in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £55,000 - £70,000 per annum (based on market research for similar roles in London)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Flexible work arrangements
- Opportunities for professional development
Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), with occasional travel (~20% of the time)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on market research for similar roles in London. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, and other factors.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Telecommunications. Ciena is a global leader in optical and routing systems, services, and automation software.
Company Size: Large (5,001-10,000 employees). This size offers extensive resources and opportunities for career growth.
Founded: 1992. Ciena has a rich history and established reputation in the telecommunications industry.
Company Description:
- Ciena prioritizes deep, collaborative relationships within its teams and with its customers, partners, and communities
- The company focuses on building adaptive networks to address ever-increasing digital demands for richer, more connected experiences
- Ciena values diversity, inclusion, and fostering an environment where employees feel respected, valued, and heard
Company Specialties:
- Converged Packet-Optical
- Packet Networking and Carrier Ethernet
- Optical Transport
- Software and Services
- Data Center Interconnect
- Software Defined Networking (SDN)
- Cloud Networking
- Submarine Networking, and Internet
Company Website: http://www.ciena.com
ASSUMPTION: Ciena's large size and global presence offer applicants extensive opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level. This role requires significant experience in event planning and management but offers opportunities for growth and advancement.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Event Marketing Associate will report to the Global Event Marketing Manager and collaborate with various cross-functional teams, including Sales, Marketing, and Corporate executives.
Work Arrangement: On-site, with occasional travel (~20% of the time). This role requires frequent travel to attend and manage events.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on more responsibilities and advance within the Global Event Marketing team
- Opportunities to work on diverse events and gain experience in various aspects of event management
- Chance to develop skills in stakeholder management, project management, and event strategy
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development within Ciena's Global Event Marketing team.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspaces in London, Amsterdam, and Riyadh.
Office Location(s): 43 Worship Street, London, England EC2A 2, GB; 385 Terry Fox Dr, Ottawa, ON K2K 0L1, CA; 1185 Sanctuary Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30009, US
Geographic Context:
- London: Vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving tech industry and numerous event opportunities
- Amsterdam: Cosmopolitan city with a strong focus on technology, innovation, and sustainability
- Riyadh: Rapidly growing city with a strong emphasis on digital transformation and technology adoption
Work Schedule: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), with occasional travel (~20% of the time). The role may require working flexible hours to accommodate event timelines.
ASSUMPTION: The diverse office locations and geographic contexts offer applicants unique opportunities to gain international experience and exposure.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the Global Event Marketing Manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the Global Event Marketing Manager and other team members
- Final interview with the Senior Director of Global Event Marketing
Key Assessment Areas:
- Event planning and project management skills
- Communication and stakeholder management abilities
- Problem-solving and adaptability
- Cultural fit and alignment with Ciena's values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant event planning and management experience in your resume
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your passion for events and understanding of Ciena's mission
- Prepare examples of successful events you've managed and challenges you've overcome
- Research Ciena's company culture and values to show your fit with the organization
ATS Keywords: Event Planning, Project Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Communication Skills, Collaboration, Problem Solving, Attention to Detail, Flexibility, Creativity, B2B Events, Trade Shows, Marketing Deliverables, Logistics Coordination, SalesForce, Cvent
ASSUMPTION: Ciena's application process is designed to assess candidates' event planning skills, communication abilities, and cultural fit with the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- SalesForce (SFDC)
- Cvent
- Event planning tools and systems for meeting management, content creation, event lead management
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with SalesForce and Cvent is preferred but not required. Applicants should be comfortable learning and using new tools and technologies as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Customer Focus
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Collaboration
- Inclusion
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to changing priorities and deadlines
- Results-driven and focused on achieving maximum ROI for events
- Creative and passionate about events and the industry
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Ciena's company values, particularly innovation and collaboration?
- How do you handle working with various stakeholders and managing their expectations?
- How do you approach challenges and setbacks in event planning, and what steps do you take to overcome them?
ASSUMPTION: Ciena values applicants who demonstrate a strong cultural fit with the organization, aligning with its values and work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple events simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks
- Working with various stakeholders, each with their own priorities and expectations, demanding excellent communication and negotiation skills
- Occasional travel (~20% of the time), which may disrupt personal schedules and routines
- Working in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines, requiring adaptability and resilience
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and require strong organizational, communication, and project management skills to overcome.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other event marketing roles, this position offers more responsibility and autonomy in managing events and driving strategic recommendations
- Ciena's focus on technology and innovation provides unique opportunities to work on cutting-edge events and initiatives
- This role offers potential for career growth within Ciena's Global Event Marketing team and the broader organization
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider their career goals and preferences when comparing this role to similar positions in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Managing a large-scale industry trade show, including logistics, marketing deliverables, and on-site management
- Evaluating and recommending potential trade show opportunities based on market research and analysis
- Conducting a post-event evaluation and presenting strategic recommendations to improve future events' effectiveness and efficiency
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and tasks associated with the Senior Event Marketing Associate role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Global Event Marketing team?
- How does this role contribute to Ciena's overall business objectives and growth strategy?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the Global Event Marketing team and Ciena as a whole?
- How does Ciena support work-life balance for employees, particularly those with frequent travel requirements?
- What is the company's approach to diversity, inclusion, and fostering an inclusive work environment?
ASSUMPTION: These questions help applicants better understand the role, team dynamics, and company culture, enabling them to make informed decisions about their application.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant event planning and management experience, as well as any skills or qualifications mentioned in the job description
- Write a cover letter that demonstrates your passion for events, understanding of Ciena's mission, and alignment with the company's values
- Prepare examples of successful events you've managed and challenges you've overcome, ready to discuss during the interview
- Follow up with the Global Event Marketing Manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
