Senior Events Experience Manager

Job description

Our Mission At Palo Alto Networks®, we’re united by a shared mission—to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you’re ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you’re in the right place. Who We Are In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us! We believe collaboration thrives in person. That’s why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when it’s needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes. Job Summary At Palo Alto Networks, we create world-class experiences that build meaningful connections with our customers, partners, and community. We’re looking for a Senior Event Experience Manager to join our Global Events organization and lead high-impact proprietary programs. This role will primarily own Ignite on Tour, our North American roadshow series, while also supporting select strategic experiences, including Board of Directors retreats and Cyber Week. The ideal candidate blends strategy, creative experience design, and operational excellence. You’ll lead planning, stakeholder alignment, attendee experience, and onsite execution across multiple markets, partnering closely with marketing, sales, executives, and agencies. This position reports to the Head of Global Events and is ideal for someone who thrives on turning complex ideas into memorable, scalable, and flawlessly executed experiences. Your Impact - Key Responsibilities Event Strategy & Execution: Lead the end-to-end strategy, planning, and execution of Ignite on Tour across North America and select proprietary programs, including Cyber Week. Experience Design & Scalability: Create engaging, locally relevant attendee experiences while establishing repeatable roadshow frameworks and consistent program standards. Program & Operational Management: Oversee event operations, project timelines, production, logistics, onsite execution, and risk mitigation across multiple concurrent programs. Cross-Functional Leadership: Drive stakeholder alignment, establish clear workstream ownership, and collaborate with internal teams and the Global Events Center of Excellence to deliver successful programs. Audience Acquisition & Engagement: Partner with Field and Customer Marketing to drive customer recruitment, registration, attendance, and engagement aligned with business objectives. Agency & Financial Management: Manage external partners, venues, budgets, forecasting, procurement, and financial reconciliation to ensure quality, accountability, and cost efficiency. Performance Measurement & Optimization: Evaluate event performance through attendance, engagement, feedback, and business outcomes to identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Innovation & Process Improvement: Introduce creative experience concepts, emerging trends, and AI-enabled tools while strengthening event planning processes and operational efficiency. Travel & Onsite Leadership: Travel domestically approximately 15–20% for site visits, planning activities, and onsite event leadership. Assume additional responsibilities as needed to support the success of the team. Qualifications 10+ years of experience in corporate, experiential, or B2B event marketing, with demonstrated ownership of complex, high-impact programs. Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, or a related field. Proven ability to lead events end-to-end, from strategy and experience design through onsite execution and measurement. Strong project management and prioritization skills in fast-paced environments. Strategic, detail-oriented, proactive, and solutions-focused. Proven ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders at all levels. Skilled in managing agencies, venues, budgets, and forecasts. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Proficiency with AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency, insights, or attendee experience. Comfortable navigating ambiguity and changing priorities. Creative, collaborative, resourceful, and passionate about exceptional customer experiences. Positive, self-motivated, and results-oriented with a continuous desire to innovate. Background in cybersecurity or enterprise technology strongly preferred. Flexibility for extended hours during peak planning and onsite execution. Ability to work onsite at our Santa Clara headquarters. #LI-KF1 Compensation Disclosure The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/com-missioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here. $138,100.00 - $223,300.00/yr Our Commitment We’re trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at  accommodations@paloaltonetworks.com. Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.