Experiential Marketing Specialist

At Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges require new solutions. That’s why we always look to the future and embrace change with an unmovable spirit and the courage to build for what comes next.

Our vision is to bring adaptive innovation to support our nation's most important missions through the seamless integration of advanced technologies, elite minds, and unparalleled agility—leveraging a foundation of speed, flexibility, and ingenuity to strengthen and protect our nation’s vital interests.

Requisition #: 682

Job Title: Experiential Marketing Specialist

Location: 11600 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191

SUMMARY

The Agile Defense MARCOM team is a result-oriented team focused on elevating our brand and driving customer and employee alignment. We share our collective creative talents to deliver strong content campaigns, and well-executed events that enhance our ability to support essential customer missions.

We are seeking a creative and organized Experiential Marketing Specialist to lead the planning and execution of trade shows, events, and other experiential marketing initiatives. This role is responsible for creating memorable brand experiences, managing event logistics, and overseeing swag and promotional merchandise. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, thrives in fast-paced environments, and has a passion for creating impactful brand moments.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Trade Show Planning & Management

·         Develop and execute trade show strategies to meet brand objectives, including booth design, layout, and overall attendee experience.

·         Manage all aspects of trade show logistics, including booth setup, shipping, registration, and compliance with venue requirements.

·         Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive messaging and branding at events.

·         Coordinate with designers, vendors, and production teams to create visually appealing and functional booth displays.

·         Oversee pre-event planning, on-site execution, and post-event evaluation, ensuring events are delivered on time and within budget.

·         Swag Vendor Management

·         Identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with promotional merchandise and swag vendors.

·         Source high-quality, on-brand swag items that align with marketing objectives and resonate with the target audience.

·         Negotiate pricing, timelines, and terms with vendors to ensure cost-effective and timely delivery.

·         Maintain an inventory of promotional materials and manage reorders to prevent shortages.

·         Track performance of swag initiatives and recommend improvements based on feedback and ROI analysis.

·         Event Marketing & Strategy

·         Collaborate with the marketing team to develop campaigns that drive trade show attendance and engagement.

·         Leverage digital channels, such as email and social media, to promote upcoming events and experiences.

·         Identify opportunities for experiential activations that extend beyond trade shows, such as pop-ups, sponsorships, and brand collaborations.

·         Measure the success of events using KPIs, such as lead generation, engagement metrics, and attendee feedback.

·         Budget & Reporting

·         Manage budgets for trade shows, events, and swag procurement, ensuring cost efficiency and ROI.

·         Provide regular reports on event performance, including attendee insights, lead quality, and lessons learned.

·         Internal Company Event Support

·         Plan and execute internal company events, including town halls, team-building activities, and employee recognition programs, ensuring alignment with the company’s culture and values.

·         Collaborate with HR, leadership, and other departments to design events that foster engagement, inclusivity, and team spirit.

·         Manage event logistics, including venue selection, catering, audiovisual setup, and scheduling.

·         Coordinate internal communications to promote event participation and ensure employees are well-informed.

·         Support the planning of large-scale company celebrations, such as holiday parties, milestone anniversaries, and employee appreciation events.

·         Gather post-event feedback to assess success and identify opportunities for improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Certifications

·         Proven experience managing vendor relationships and sourcing promotional merchandise.

·         Strong project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.

·         Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

·         Creative mindset with a passion for delivering unique brand experiences.

·         Willingness to travel for trade shows and events as required.

Education, Background, and Years of Experience

·         Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Event Planning, or a related field.

·         3-5 years of experience in event planning, experiential marketing, project management, or trade show and event management.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions

·         Hybrid environment with the ability to support a variety of events at our headquarters in Reston, VA.

Strength Demands

·         Medium – 50 lbs. Maximum lifting with frequent lift/carry up to 25 lbs.

Physical Requirements

·         Stand or Sit; Walk

Employees of Agile Defense are our number one priority, and the importance we place on our culture here is fundamental. Our culture is alive and evolving, but it always stays true to its roots. Here, you are valued as a family member, and we believe that we can accomplish great things together. Agile Defense has been highly successful in the past few years due to our employees and the culture we create together. What makes us Agile? We call it the 6Hs, the values that define our culture and guide everything we do. Together, these values infuse vibrancy, integrity, and a tireless work ethic into advancing the most important national security and critical civilian missions. It's how we show up every day. It's who we are.

Happy - Be Infectious.

Happiness multiplies and creates a positive and connected environment where motivation and satisfaction have an outsized effect on everything we do.

Helpful - Be Supportive.

Being helpful is the foundation of teamwork, resulting in a supportive atmosphere where collaboration flourishes, and collective success is celebrated.

Honest - Be Trustworthy.

Honesty serves as our compass, ensuring transparent communication and ethical conduct, essential to who we are and the complex domains we support.

Humble - Be Grounded.

Success is not achieved alone, humility ensures a culture of mutual respect, encouraging open communication, and a willingness to learn from one another and take on any task.

Hungry - Be Eager.

Our hunger for excellence drives an insatiable appetite for innovation and continuous improvement, propelling us forward in the face of new and unprecedented challenges.

Hustle - Be Driven.

Hustle is reflected in our relentless work ethic, where we are each committed to going above and beyond to advance the mission and achieve success.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)