Manager, Trade Show & Event Stores | Hybrid

Lifeway is a leading faith-based organization dedicated to supporting churches and ministry partners across the United States. With a deep commitment to making disciples of Jesus Christ, Lifeway provides a range of resources and services aimed at strengthening church communities and expanding ministry impact. As a trusted name in Christian publishing, retail, and event management, Lifeway blends operational excellence with a clear mission to serve the kingdom of God. The organization nurtures a culture where faith and work intersect, creating meaningful opportunities for employees to contribute their skills in ways that further ministry goals and church engagement. Lifeway has embraced a Work from Anywhere (WFA) culture, offering flexibility and autonomy to its team members while fostering strong community through regular all-team meetings and events. This combination of flexibility, mission-focus, and collaborative work environment makes Lifeway a unique and fulfilling workplace.

The Manager, Trade Shows & Event Stores role is a key leadership position based in the Nashville Metropolitan Area. This hybrid remote/in-office role requires overseeing the strategic and operational execution of approximately 60 annual events, including trade shows and event stores that serve churches nationwide. The position is ideal for an experienced event operations professional who thrives in high-volume, travel-intensive environments and is passionate about building scalable systems and teams. This role is the driving force behind Lifeway's presence at trade shows and its national event store footprint. Responsibilities range from product curation and merchandising to vendor negotiations, budgeting, and on-site execution.

The Manager leads a cross-trained team of Event Leads and Coordinators, driving operational consistency and excellence aligned with Lifeway's mission. They are responsible for defining event needs such as layout, signage, pricing strategies, and attendee experiences. The role requires hands-on leadership at over 20 major national events annually, along with significant travel commitments. Managing a budget exceeding $1 million, this person oversees forecasting, expense tracking, and financial reconciliation. This position collaborates cross-functionally with Strategy & Creative, Finance, Logistics, IT, and Warehouse teams to ensure smooth coordination and accountability.

Lifeway values candidates who bring a combination of deep event management expertise, financial acumen, leadership skills, and a commitment to evangelical Christian ministry. The ideal candidate has 8-10 years of experience managing large-scale events, 5+ years leading teams in fast-paced event environments, and a proven track record in vendor management and contract negotiations. Strong communication skills and the ability to develop standardized processes for scalable event delivery are essential.

Joining Lifeway means not only advancing your career in event management but also serving a greater cause through impactful ministry work. The organization offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, relocation assistance for those moving to the Nashville area, and the opportunity to be part of a passionate team dedicated to Kingdom work. If you are ready to lead a dynamic and high-impact event portfolio while making a difference in the church community, Lifeway invites you to apply and become part of their mission-driven family.