The Events & Community Engagement Manager is responsible for planning and executing Guardian Fleet Services® events while strengthening the company's presence across the industry and the communities it serves. This role manages trade shows, industry conferences, sponsorships, and company events such as the annual GFS Leadership Conference, and builds meaningful relationships with industry associations, municipal and government partners, commercial clients, vendors, and community organizations across Guardian's footprint in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, and Ohio.
This position serves as a key ambassador for Guardian Fleet Services and its family of subsidiary brands. The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven, creative, and highly organized professional who is part event strategist and part brand ambassador. They are passionate about connecting audiences with Guardian's mission and capabilities, and they have the logistical discipline to manage complex partnerships, multi-location coordination, and high-impact events from concept through post-event reporting.
This position requires national travel.
Responsibilities
Event Strategy & Management
- Plan, coordinate, and execute trade shows, industry conferences, sponsorship activations, and internal company events from concept through completion.
- Manage event logistics including venues, vendors, budgets, travel, registration, collateral, and on-site setup and breakdown.
- Identify opportunities for event partnerships that expand reach, offset costs, and create new business connections.
- Represent Guardian at industry and community events and coordinate staff participation and scheduling.
Community & Industry Engagement
- Develop and maintain partnerships with industry associations, community organizations, municipalities, and commercial partners.
- Identify opportunities to expand visibility, generate leads, and grow Guardian's reputation across its markets.
- Coordinate outreach initiatives that align with the company's mission and strategic goals.
Sponsorship & Partnership Support
- Assist in developing sponsorship opportunities tied to events and industry initiatives.
- Ensure sponsor and partner benefits are fulfilled accurately and professionally.
- Maintain strong relationships with event stakeholders, association contacts, and community partners.
Social Media & Online Presence
- Assist with social media engagement across Guardian and subsidiary brand accounts, including posting, monitoring, and responding to audience interaction.
- Capture and share event content in real time, including photos, video, and live updates.
- Collaborate with the marketing team to grow online audience participation, loyalty, and brand awareness.
Marketing & Content Support
- Assist with content generation including written copy, event messaging, and supporting materials for digital and print channels.
- Help develop promotional strategies and collateral for events and engagement campaigns.
- Capture event content including photos, videos, testimonials, and audience communications for ongoing marketing use.
Pipeline & Lead Generation
- Own lead attribution for every event, tracking each lead and opportunity from capture through close in HubSpot.
- Track and report the following metrics per event and across the event program:
- Total leads captured and marketing qualified leads (MQLs) passed to sales
- Event-sourced pipeline, measured as the dollar value of new opportunities generated
- Event-influenced pipeline, measured as the value of existing opportunities advanced by event activity
- Lead-to-opportunity and opportunity-to-close conversion rates
- Cost per lead and cost per qualified lead
- Event ROI, measured as pipeline and revenue attributed against total event spend
- New partnerships and sponsorships secured
- Meet lead generation and pipeline targets set in coordination with marketing and sales leadership.
- Report event performance against goals to marketing leadership after each event and on a quarterly basis.
Administrative & Reporting Duties
- Maintain records of partnerships, sponsorships, outreach activities, and event performance metrics.
- Prepare post-event evaluations and recommendations for future improvement.
- Ensure compliance with company policies and event regulations.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum qualification: Bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Event Management, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience will be considered.
- 2 to 5 years of experience in event management, community engagement, marketing, or community relations.
- Experience with social media management and content creation.
- Experience tracking leads and pipeline in a CRM such as HubSpot.
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to events across Guardian's service area.
Benefits Offered:
- Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays
- Medical, Dental, & Vision Plans
- $15K Employer paid Life and AD&D
- 401(k) Plan
- Short Term Disability & Long-Term Disability
- Hospital Indemnity
- Cancer plan
- Accident Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Referral Bonus
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
We believe that diversity strengthens our organization and are dedicated to providing a workplace free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merits, and business needs.
