Manager, Events and Programs

The Events & Programs Manager leads the execution of the Chamber's policy-driven events and programming portfolio, delivering high-impact in-person and virtual experiences aligned with organizational priorities. This role partners closely with Membership, Public Affairs, and Communications to develop relevant content on key policy initiatives and supervises two Events & Programs Specialists. The manager oversees a portfolio of signature events, including the Business Issues Forum, Public Officials Reception, and Seattle Day, handling agenda development, speaker engagement, budget management, and event delivery. The role also supports cross-functional events and ensures consistent, high-quality guest experiences across assigned events.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of the Chamber’s policy-driven event portfolio, managing monthly and annual programs from concept through delivery. Oversee budgets, logistics, venue and speaker coordination, revenue generation, and program goals to ensure high-quality, mission-aligned outcomes.
• Supervise, coach, and support Events & Programs Specialists responsible for assigned event portfolios, including setting priorities, monitoring progress, providing feedback, and helping ensure timely, high-quality delivery.
• Coordinate team workload across multiple event portfolios, aligning timelines, resources, and responsibilities with department priorities and event goals.
• Serve as the primary lead for key signature programs, including the Business Issues Forum, Public Officials Reception, Legislative Happy Hour, Councilmember Happy Hour, Alaska Business Forum, Chamber Briefings, topic-focused limited series, and Seattle Day. Collaborate with internal teams to support cross-functional programs such as the Community Development Roundtable.
• Partner with Marketing & Communications to shape program positioning and visibility, including event branding, promotional copy, marketing strategy, and development of messaging and talking points.
• Drive audience growth and engagement across Chamber programming, leveraging strategic promotion, cross-department collaboration, and external partnerships to increase participation and deepen member engagement.
• Partner across departments—including Membership, Public Affairs, Marketing & Communications, Operations, and Finance—to align event planning, content, promotion, logistics, budgeting, and member engagement with organizational priorities.
• Develop and implement new program strategies and formats that advance departmental goals, elevate policy conversations, and enhance organizational impact.
• Collaborate closely with Membership to engage and retain members, ensuring programming aligns with member needs and strengthens relationships with key stakeholders.
• Oversee registration operations, serving as lead registrar for select programs while supporting team-wide registration processes, participant experience, and consistency across event portfolios.
• Ensure a high-quality guest experience across assigned events and team-managed portfolios by setting clear service expectations, coaching staff on guest engagement and service recovery, monitoring participant touchpoints, troubleshooting issues, and using feedback to improve future events.
• Secure and manage in-kind sponsorships and partnerships, including venues, goods, and services that support program delivery and enhance event value.
• Support event operations and execution, including vendor coordination, on-site logistics, setup and breakdown, and management of staff and volunteers during events.
• Perform administrative and operational responsibilities, including correspondence, proofreading, and special project management, while maintaining a high standard of accuracy and professionalism.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience developing events or programs and managing event logistics, including coordination with speakers, vendors, partners, internal stakeholders, or team members; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience.
• Ability to attend early morning and evening events required
• Strong guest, member, or customer service orientation, with the ability to anticipate participant needs, resolve issues professionally, and ensure a consistent, high-quality event experience.
• Demonstrated written communication skills, including the ability to draft clear event descriptions, promotional copy, speaker materials, talking points, and stakeholder communications.
• Experience evaluating programs, using feedback or participation data to identify improvements, and implementing changes that strengthen participant experience, member engagement, or program outcomes.
• Experience supervising, coaching, or leading the work of staff, project teams, volunteers, contractors, or cross-functional partners.
• Ability to prioritize team workload, provide direction, and hold others accountable for timely, high-quality event delivery.
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with members, vendors, speakers, colleagues, direct reports, and external partners.
• Strong cross-department collaboration skills, including the ability to build alignment, clarify roles and responsibilities, communicate timelines, and coordinate work across teams.
• Solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to stay calm under pressure, adapt to changing circumstances, and resolve issues professionally during events.
• Ability to model, teach, and follow de-escalation practices, including responding to guest concerns with professionalism, sound judgment, and calm communication; recognizing when inappropriate, unsafe, or disruptive behavior should be escalated; and documenting significant incidents when needed.
• Professional, engaging, and approachable communication style, with the ability to represent the Chamber well in interactions with members, guests, partners, and stakeholders, and including Chamber staff.
• Sound judgment and emotional steadiness when navigating competing priorities, time-sensitive decisions, or challenging stakeholder interactions.
• Excel: Ability to maintain event budgets, registration lists, planning trackers, and basic data reports.
• Word: Ability to prepare and format event documents, speaker materials, briefing documents, templates, and stakeholder communications.
• PowerPoint: Ability to create or update presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• SharePoint: Ability to manage and collaborate on shared documents, event files, and planning resources.
• Email marketing and campaign tools: Ability to support event promotion, audience outreach, registration communications, and post-event follow-up.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage, employer pay 96% of the employee premium, including $0 prescriptions and appointments
• 401(k) and Roth Retirement Accounts, with Employer Match of up to 6%
• Generous Holiday and Paid Time Off Schedule, including Community Service leave and winter closure
• Mindfulness and Wellness Resources
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Company-sponsored ORCA Card
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Parental Leave
• EAP Membership
• Additional Voluntary Benefits, including Long-term Disability Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, and Pet Insurance
• Remote office set up stipend $500
• Woodland Park Zoo Discount
• SecureSave Workplace Savings Program with Optional $5 Semi-Monthly Employer Match
• Passport Corporate Discount Membership
• Norton LifeLock Benefit Solutions
• Free snacks and beverages at the office!