Head of Event Programming
Position Summary:
The Head of Event Programming will be accountable for The Conference Board events, ensuring each event’s profitability, quality, growth and value to attendees. This leader will directly manage the programming team, including program directors responsible for the content of the events, and program managers responsible for the integration and project management of the integrated team to deliver successful events. This role will lead the content strategy and delivery of high-impact events (in-person, hybrid and/or virtual) ensuring that programming attracts senior business decision-maker targets and supports the mission of providing Insights for What’s Ahead. This role is a member of the Events leadership team.
Success will be defined by delivery of profitable event P&L’s defined in the annual business plan; growth of events year over year; creation of insightful and creative content strategies and formats to grow events; sourcing, managing and developing programming talent across multiple levels; ensuring programs include top of the market speakers and thought leaders; collaboration with and integration of Center Leaders and content into programs; consistent positive feedback from event stakeholders on experiences.
Position Description:
- Event Strategy
- Lead content strategy development, assimilating themes, content direction, and agenda ideas from Center leaders and research teams, external experts and third-party sources
- Create compelling content strategy and focus for each event in the portfolio that delivers valuable content and supports revenue growth
- Develop ideas for new events and commercial models to fuel revenue growth.
- Stay abreast of leading-edge content creators, programmers, and speakers to effectively recruit them into TCB events
- Lead effective speaker recruitment and nurturing, collaborating with peers on coordination across the organization
- Design experiences using both tried and true and new event and content formats, creating nimble and compelling stage programs for insight delivery
- Act as a strategic resource/guide to (or at times oversee) other business units executing engagements including roundtables, briefings, virtual offerings, and the international team’s larger events
- Event Programming
- Own the program development process including
- Source Program Directors, Event Chairs, Event Advisory Teams to create compelling agendas
- Oversee agenda development work to ensure highest quality speakers and effective integration of our own research, insights and thought leaders
- Design sponsor thought leadership approaches to drive revenue growth and effective integration of sponsors in valuable ways
- Engage in continuous learning and improvement of processes and systems and ensure all best practices are being implemented
- Ensure programming milestones are delivered according to plan and communicated effectively
- Be present on site at most events, taking an active role to support the day-to-day team and ensure top notch processes and experiences.
- Team Leadership
- Evaluate and evolve (as needed) the mix of roles/staffing approaches based on the needs of the organization to drive successful team performance, effectiveness, and cost efficiency
- Coach, mentor and guide a high performing programming team, fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, creativity, accountability and client service
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree with 10-15+ years of event programming and content strategy or journalism experience across in-person and hybrid formats, including sponsorship.
- 8+ years people management / leadership experience
- Proven track record developing insightful, valuable and buzz-worthy stage programs (panels, keynotes, workshops, roundtables and more)
- Enthusiasm for developing strong commercial models
- Strong business acumen with knowledge of business news and trends particularly in the areas of economy/finance, technology, human capital and ESG
- Excellent technical skills and ability to learn and embrace collaboration platforms (i.e. Teams), project management tools and online systems.
- Strong collaboration and influence – able to get things done in a matrixed environment with experience managing multiple, senior level stakeholders and balancing competing objectives.
- Strong client service approach; solution-oriented; growth-minded.
- Detail obsessed with positive attitude, strong work ethic, and team player mentality
- Strong oral and written communication skills; experience working with the world’s highest levels of business and government for programming
What We Offer
The Conference Board is proud to embrace best practices in employee wellbeing. We offer a competitive total compensation package. As part of our benefits package, we offer flexibility with remote working capabilities, employer-sponsored learning and development, advancement opportunities, on-site health initiatives, a communal and collaborative working environment, and a strong sense of comradery with sports teams, clubs, volunteer opportunities, and employee events.
The Conference Board does not discriminate. We are an equal opportunity employer/M/F/Vet/Disabled.