About us
Sustainability | Trade Fair & Event Industry | End-to-end responsibility
Better Stands by NZCE is a leading sustainability initiative that promotes reusable, circular exhibition stand solutions within the trade fair and event industry. It supports exhibitors and partners through clear standards, guidance, and a digital platform to reduce waste and environmental impact. By driving industry-wide change, Better Stands helps make exhibitions more responsible, efficient, and future-ready. We here at IFES, International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services, are the Secretariat for this important industry initiative.
To further grow and scale Better Stands globally, we are looking for a committed Project Manager (m/f/d) with a strong business development mindset, hands-on mentality, and genuine enthusiasm for sustainability. You combine project ownership with commercial thinking, proactively build relationships, and actively drive growth, adoption, and impact of the initiative across international markets.
Your tasks
You will be responsible for the entire admission and support process of Better Stands members – from A to Z:
Business Development, Sales & Consulting:
- Active acquisition of new Better Stands members across international trade fair and event markets
- Identification and development of new business opportunities, partnerships, and target groups
- Presentation and positioning of Better Stands’ value proposition, benefits, and certification requirements
- Advisory support to members, helping them successfully implement Better Stands solutions and scale their commitment
Membership Administration & Project Management:
- Management of the entire membership process: acquisition, onboarding, support, renewal
- Single point of contact for members, partners and stakeholders
- Continuous optimization of processes to ensure high service quality and member satisfaction
Billing & Reporting:
- Responsibility for invoicing and administrative processes
- Preparation of reports, analyses and decision-making bases
- Regular reporting for the Steering Committee
Digital Platform & Process Development:
- Active participation in the expansion and continuous improvement of the Better Stands digital platform
- Ongoing coordination between business needs, technology partners, and external service providers
- Optimization of digital processes to support scalability and member growth
Representation & Events:
- Active representation of Better Stands at international trade fairs, congresses, and industry events
- Delivery of presentations, workshops, and briefings to promote the initiative
- On-site stakeholder engagement, networking, and relationship building
Your profile
- Completed academic studies (e.g. sustainability, event management, business administration, engineering, architecture, project management or comparable)
- Experience in project management, business development, sales, or consulting, ideally within the trade fair, event, hospitality or sustainability sectors
- Strong hands-on mentality and entrepreneurial thinking
- Proven enjoyment of acquisition, networking, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement
- High level of personal responsibility, structure and organizational strength
- Interest in digital platforms and technological processes
- Willingness to travel for trade fairs and events
- Very good knowledge of English and ideally one additional language from one of the significant tradeshow markets globally, as German, Spanish or even Chinese
What we offer
- A meaningful, high-impact role at the intersection of sustainability and international business
- Responsibility for a holistic process with a lot of creative freedom
- Working in a dynamic, international trade fair and event industry
- Short decision-making processes and a committed team
- Personal and professional development opportunities
- Flat hierarchies, open communication, and a culture of trust
- A diverse role in an international industry with strong intercultural exchange
- Flexible working conditions and the opportunity to actively shape and develop your role
- Although IFES is registered in Brussels, the working language is English and the position is fully remote. (Your place of residence and work can be freely chosen within Europe.)
Do you want to work in the tradeshow and events industry and not only want to manage sustainability, but actively implement and develop it?
Then we look forward to receiving your application, including your earliest possible start date and your salary expectations.
Contact name: Gregor Bischkopf, Executive Director
Contact email: gregor@ifesnet.org
