Brand Activation Specialist

Glen Raven is recruiting for a Brand Activation Specialist which plays a hands-on role in bringing Glen Raven and its portfolio of brands to life through trade shows, meetings, events, brand activations, and corporate engagements across the U.S. and abroad. With brands including Sunbrella, Trivantage, GlenGuard, and Glen Raven Logistics, this role offers the opportunity to build your activation experience across a diverse portfolio of brands, industries, markets, customers, and business environments.

Working alongside senior members of the Brand Activation team, the Specialist will collaborate with teams across Marketing, Sales, Product Development, Creative, Corporate Communications, and other business functions to help turn ideas and business objectives into well-executed brand experiences. From major industry trade shows and customer events to internal meetings and corporate programs, no two activations are exactly alike, making this an opportunity to build broad experience while learning how strong brands show up in the marketplace.

This is a hands-on role with opportunity for growth for an organized, curious, and proactive professional who enjoys making things happen. The Specialist will initially support senior activation leaders on larger or more complex programs while taking ownership of assigned workstreams and smaller-scale events. Responsibilities will span event logistics, vendor coordination, asset and material management, pack and ship, project tracking, and on-site execution.

As experience and capability grow, the Specialist will take on increasingly complex assignments and greater ownership, progressing toward independently managing designated shows and events, and serving as a primary on-site activation lead.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate brings 1 to 3 years of relevant experience in events, trade shows, marketing, hospitality, or project coordination, along with the energy and curiosity to continue building their capabilities. They have a foundation of practical experience that adds value and perspective to the Brand Activation team, while being ready to broaden that experience across a diverse portfolio of brands, industries, markets, and activation types.

Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable, they enjoy both the behind-the-scenes coordination and the hands-on work required to bring an experience to life. They communicate clearly, follow through on commitments, and are comfortable taking ownership of assigned responsibilities while collaborating with and learning from more experienced activation leaders.

This role is well suited for someone who is ready for the next step in their career, offering the opportunity to build on what they already know, gain exposure to more complex programs and cross-functional teams, and progressively take on greater responsibility and ownership of shows and events.

Responsibilities:

Activation Planning & Coordination

• Support the planning and execution of Glen Raven’s portfolio of trade shows, events, meetings, brand activations, and corporate on-site and off-site engagements.
• Partner with senior activation leaders to coordinate project timelines, logistics, vendors, budgets, materials, assets, and other event requirements.
• Maintain project plans, schedules, checklists, and status updates; track deadlines and proactively identify risks or issues requiring escalation.
• Coordinate with cross-functional partners across Marketing, Sales, Creative, Corporate Communications, Logistics, and other business teams to support timely execution.
• Participate in and, as appropriate, lead project status meetings; document decisions and action items, and drive follow-up with internal and external partners.

Event & On-Site Execution

• Coordinate trade show and event logistics, including registration, venues, booth requirements, shipping, pack and ship, fabric and product orders, materials, signage, product and fabric samples, equipment, hospitality, and other activation needs.
• Work with exhibit houses, venues, carriers, production partners, and other vendors to support successful execution.
• Provide hands-on support for installation, event operation, attendee needs, troubleshooting, breakdown, and return logistics.
• Support related customer events, sales meetings, plant tours, dinners, and corporate engagements as needed.
• Take ownership of assigned workstreams and smaller activations, with senior activation leaders providing guidance based on program complexity.

Operational & Asset Management

• Maintain accurate budgets, purchase orders, invoices, expense documentation, vendor information, inventories, and activation records.
• Coordinate the organization and movement of booth properties, furniture, fabrics, signage, supplies, and other activation assets.
• Support post-event closeout, including return shipments, inventory updates, expense reconciliation, vendor follow-up, and lessons learned.
• Help identify opportunities to improve team processes, tools, and activation practices.
• Support special projects based on team priorities, workload, experience and development opportunities.

Growth & Progressive Ownership

• Build on existing event and project experience by taking on increasingly complex activation responsibilities.
• Develop the knowledge, judgment, and cross-functional relationships needed to manage designated shows and events from planning through completion.
• Progress toward independently leading assigned activations and serving as a primary on-site lead within approximately 12 to 24 months.
• Seek and apply feedback to strengthen planning, communication, problem-solving, and execution capabilities.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, hospitality, event management, business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Experience:

• One to three years of experience supporting trade shows, events, meetings, marketing programs, hospitality programs, or related project coordination.
• Experience working with vendors, shipping, event materials, budgets, or production partners preferred.
• Experience supporting multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines preferred.

Key Skills:

• Strong organizational, project coordination, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and maintain attention to detail.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and comfort learning project management, budgeting, and event-planning systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively with senior team members, internal stakeholders, vendors, and external partners.
• Sound judgment and the ability to resolve routine issues while appropriately escalating higher-risk decisions.
• Flexible, service-oriented approach and willingness to assist with both detailed administrative work and hands-on event execution.
• Professional presence when interacting with business leaders, customers, vendors, and event attendees.

Why Glen Raven: 

At Glen Raven, we embrace the strength that comes from a diverse and inclusive mindset. Joining our team means becoming an integral part of a dedicated group, weaving connections across the globe, and representing trusted textile brands such as Sunbrella®.  Every day, we strive for and welcome diverse perspectives, solutions-driven ideas and innovative opportunities for continued growth throughout the company. We work toward a shared success while lifting each other up on the job and in our communities. Together, we keep the world spinning. Join our team. Connect people and drive innovation beyond the boundaries of Glen Raven. 

What you can expect from working at Glen Raven. 

• Benefits – Your total well-being is important. In addition to competitive health coverage, short- and long-term disability insurance, vision, dental and plan choices, we also offer telehealth visits or on-site health clinics at many locations. We also have a comprehensive wellness program that includes wellness events, health education, and mental health resources. We offer competitive PTO and holiday schedules to allow for personal time.  
• Future Financial security – No matter where you are in your career, at some point, everyone winds down. We’ll help you make it happen when you’re ready to retire. We offer both a company funded pension and matching 401(k) – our investment in you and your complete future.  
• Perks – From on-site fitness centers or discounted gym memberships to catered associate events, many perks come with the job. We celebrate and reward you for hard work any chance we can.  
• Inclusion – We have teams of problem solvers with diverse voices. Every day, we get after it to innovate and find solutions for a better tomorrow – at home and around the world. 
• Fair pay – Direct compensation that is fair and competitive with the market. Your success is our success. 

  Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Glen Raven provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to recruiting@glenraven.com & 336-227-6211.