SVP, International Events - Cyber / Black Hat

Job Description

This role is based in our 5 Howick Place

We are seeking a dynamic commercial and strategic leader to build and scale our Rest of World business for the Cyber vertical. This role carries full P&L accountability for a portfolio of shows with an ambitious mandate to double the business within three years through organic growth, strategic launches, and partnership development.

The portfolio includes Black Hat Europe, Black Hat Asia, and strategic partnerships in India and Australia for Black Hat expansion. This is a true growth and transformation role requiring entrepreneurial drive, market-building expertise, and commercial excellence.

As SVP for International, you will lead Event Directors with P&L accountability and the Sales Director and regional sales teams to drive revenue performance. You will be responsible for identifying white space opportunities, launching new products, establishing strategic partnerships, and building organizational capability across diverse markets.

This role demands a commercially astute, culturally agile leader who thrives in building businesses from the ground up, someone who combines strategic vision with operational rigor and can navigate complex, multi-market environments.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Leadership & P&L Management

• Full P&L ownership for International portfolio with accountability for revenue, margin, and profit delivery
• Drive aggressive growth trajectory to double portfolio revenue within 3 years
• Develop and execute market-specific business plans balancing investment, growth, and profitability
• Identify and prioritize highest-value growth opportunities across EMEA and APAC regions
• Lead commercial strategy, pricing, and revenue optimization across all brands and markets

Growth Strategy & Market Expansion

• Define and execute growth strategy to double the business, including organic growth, new launches, and partnerships
• Lead the launch of events, from market assessment through commercialization
• Establish and manage strategic partnerships in India, Australia, and other high-potential markets
• Evaluate new market entry opportunities and build business cases for investment
• Drive innovation in event formats, digital products, and customer engagement models

Strategic Partnerships & Business Development

• Develop and negotiate strategic partnerships with local organizers, industry bodies, and commercial partners
• Structure partnership models that balance growth, risk, and brand integrity
• Build strong relationships with government agencies, trade associations, and ecosystem players
• Cultivate joint ventures and co-production arrangements in key markets

Team Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop Event Directors with P&L accountability for their respective brands
• Partner with Sales Director and regional sales teams to drive commercial performance
• Build organizational capability and infrastructure to support rapid growth
• Attract and develop diverse talent across multiple geographies and cultures
• Foster a high-performance, entrepreneurial culture focused on growth and execution

Sales & Customer Excellence

• Work closely with sales leadership to set ambitious targets and drive pipeline development
• Build relationships with senior executives across cyber security industry in EMEA and APAC
• Champion customer-centric approaches that drive acquisition, retention, and expansion
• Oversee sponsorship and partnership sales strategies for maximum value creation
• Lead strategic negotiations with top-tier customers and partners

Operational Excellence & Market Execution

• Work with the Head of Operations to ensure exceptional event delivery across diverse markets, maintaining brand standards and quality
• Navigate complex regulatory, cultural, and operational requirements across multiple countries
• Drive operational efficiency while scaling the business and entering new markets
• Manage risk, compliance, and governance across the portfolio
• Collaborate with global teams on shared platforms, technology, and best practices

Qualifications

Experience

• Proven track record building and scaling businesses in EMEA and/or APAC markets
• Deep experience in events, media, or B2B information services with P&L responsibility for $20M+ businesses
• Demonstrated success launching new products, entering new markets, and establishing partnerships
• Experience operating in emerging and high-growth markets with cultural and operational complexity

Commercial & Strategic Capabilities

• Exceptional commercial acumen with strong financial management and business-building skills
• Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset with ability to identify and capitalize on white space opportunities
• Proven ability to structure and negotiate complex partnerships and commercial arrangements
• Strong business development skills with track record of value creation through partnerships and M&A
• Data-driven approach balanced with market intuition and risk management

Leadership & People Skills

• Inspirational leader who can build teams and drive performance across diverse cultures and geographies
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with ability to operate across languages and cultures
• Highly collaborative with ability to work effectively in complex, matrix organizations
• Cultural agility and sensitivity with experience managing diverse, distributed teams
• Entrepreneurial drive with comfort in ambiguity and ability to build from the ground up

Industry & Market Knowledge

• Deep understanding of B2B events business models, particularly in international markets
• Strong network within cyber security across EMEA and APAC preferred or proven ability to learn and adapt to new, complex markets
• Knowledge of market dynamics, customer segments, and competitive landscape in key regions
• Understanding of partnership models, joint ventures, and market entry strategies
• Awareness of regulatory, cultural, and operational considerations in international markets

Cultural Competency

• Demonstrated cultural agility and experience working across diverse markets
• Comfort with extensive international travel and ability to build relationships across cultures

Additional Information

We believe that great things happen when people connect face-to-face. That's why we work in-person with each other, or with customers and partners, three days a week or more. When you’re not spending time together in one of our offices or other workplaces – like at an Informa event – you get the flexibility and support to work from home or remotely.

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 LifeAt.Informa.com

Our benefits include:

• 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: 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after two years, plus a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year
• A flexible range of personal benefits to choose from, plus company funded private medical cover
• A ShareMatch scheme that allows you to become an Informa shareholder with free matching shares
• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, a healthy living subsidy, access to health apps and more
• Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programmes
• As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world

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.

If you would like to request reasonable adjustments or accommodations to assist your participation in the hiring process and, or in the advertised position, please inform the appropriate Talent Acquisition Partner for the role once they have been in touch. Your request will be reviewed and considered in confidence. 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.

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