SVP, Fashion Job at Informa Connect of Informa PLC in New York

Informa Markets, a division within Informa, creates global platforms for industries. We organise over 500 large-scale branded and transaction-oriented events in 14 specialist markets. These are typically not-to-be-missed annual events where buyers and sellers build relationships, see and show products and do business.

We also provide year-round online platforms where companies showcase their businesses and products and buyers conduct research, generating valuable leads, and we provide data and digital content that supports the flow of knowledge and transactions in markets.

Job Description

The Senior Vice President (SVP), Fashion is accountable for shaping the strategy and ensuring the financial success of the Fashion business. This leadership role requires an individual who can blend creativity, commercial acumen, and innovation with a strategic focus on data driven decision making and a fiscally balanced approach to business leadership. The SVP will manage all aspects of strategy, budget and overall P&L accountability, directly managing Marketing, Retail and Commercial Development teams. The role demands a high level of agility, financial understanding, and the ability to drive both short-term success and long-term growth in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.

This individual will have a proven track record in leading dynamic, cross-functional teams, managing complex projects, and building strong relationships both internally and externally. The SVP will ensure that all functional activities are aligned with brand objectives, exceed customer expectations, and deliver financial performance goals. Additionally, the role will require an effective and transparent communicator, able to influence stakeholders at all levels and lead change within the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ownership of end-to-end budget development, implementation, execution and iteration.
• Accountable to P&L across the business, ensuring financial targets are met, profitability is increased, and costs are controlled.
• In partnership with finance, provide regular forecasts, analyze financial performance, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Make quick, informed decisions to address financial challenges and opportunities, ensuring overall event success and profitability.
• Set clear targets and strategic tactics to ensure we meet or exceed business objectives, including audience engagement, revenue generation, and marketing impact.
• Use attendee & customer feedback, insights, and market data to adjust strategies and continuously improve the event experience.
• Lead a dynamic team, including marketing, retail, and commercial development, ensuring alignment and successful execution of goals.
• Foster a culture of growth, development, and collaboration by providing regular coaching, structured feedback, and opportunities for professional development.
• Lead by example, cultivating an environment of transparency, trust, and open communication within the team, especially across remote and in-office locations.
• Collaborate with HR to drive talent recruitment, succession planning, and development initiatives.
• Actively manage team performance, motivate staff, manage organizational design, and ensure effective headcount management within budget constraints.
• Ensure that event logistics, from floor plans to speaker arrangements and technology platforms, are executed flawlessly and in alignment with brand and business objectives.
• Lead the marketing team in developing and executing strategic marketing plans for both attendee and sales marketing efforts.
• Collaborate with PR teams to develop KPIs and measure marketing success, ensuring all campaigns are delivering against business objectives.
• Manage and support the development of new sponsorship opportunities, including leading experiential strategy, delivery, and monetization efforts.
• Ensure that sponsorships offer high value for partners and align with event objectives, enhancing both attendee and sponsor experiences.
• Act as a change management ambassador, helping the team and broader organization adapt to new initiatives, market changes, and evolving business needs.
• Lead by example during periods of transition, ensuring that the team remains motivated, focused, and engaged.
• Provide strategic guidance on managing change within the organization while maintaining strong culture and morale.
• Create an environment that encourages teamwork and collaboration across departments, ensuring alignment and strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead internal communications to ensure all teams are aligned on key initiatives, progress, and business goals.
• Leverage CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), marketing automation tools (e.g., Eloqua), and other technology platforms to track event performance, customer sentiment, and financials.
• Analyze event data and trends to identify areas for optimization and use insights to make informed decisions for future events.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in a senior leadership role within the live events industry.
• Proven experience managing large-scale, multi-functional event teams and delivering profitable events from concept to execution.
• At least 5-7 years of experience in budget creation and effective budget management, including full P&L responsibility.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze and act on financial reports and make decisions that improve financial performance.
• Proven success working in matrixed organizations, influencing internal stakeholders, and collaborating across teams to achieve shared goals.
• Comfortable working in a global environment with diverse, remote, and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and monetizing sponsorships and partnerships that align with event goals and generate significant revenue.
• Strong ability to develop, communicate, and execute a long-term strategic vision that aligns with business goals.
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and lead teams to achieve both short-term and long-term goals.
• Highly skilled in building strong relationships with internal teams, clients, sponsors, and partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate at all levels.
• Creative mindset, willing to challenge traditional event formats and explore innovative ways to engage attendees and enhance the customer experience.
• Ability to anticipate challenges and respond with creative, actionable solutions.
• Agile leader, capable of adapting to changing business needs and external market conditions while maintaining a focus on business outcomes.
• Skilled in leading teams through periods of change with a positive and constructive attitude.
• Well-traveled and culturally sensitive, able to work effectively across diverse markets and cultures.

Additional Information

Why work at Informa

Employee experience is very important to us at Informa. On top of joining a supportive, diverse and ambitious team that welcomes all types of candidates. We are also flexible with different working patterns and prioritize promotions internally. Our benefits include:

• Freedom & flexibility: colleagues rate us highly for the flexibility and trust they receive, and we support a range of working patterns.
• 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: 15 days PTO rising to 20 after three years and 25 after six years, plus 10 national holidays, a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year.
• Competitive benefits, including a 401k match, parental leave and an ESPP offering company shares at a minimum 15% discount.
• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, free access to a wellness app and more.
• Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programs.
• 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.

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.