Manager, Innocence Network Events

ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT AND INNOCENCE NETWORK

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 250 people who, collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit

The Innocence Network is an affiliation of more than 75 independent nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and public defender’s offices that is dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people and reforming the criminal justice system to avoid future injustice. Innocence Network member organizations vary in the size, budget, and number of cases they can investigate, and most primarily represent clients in the state in which they work.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Network Support Unit (NSU), a department within the Innocence Project, works to strengthen the Innocence Network and its member organizations to achieve breakthrough results in addressing and preventing wrongful conviction.

The Manager, Innocence Network Events works to strengthen the organizations that comprise the Innocence Network through planning and executing high quality convenings, including ensuring related effective stakeholder communication, and facilitating collective decision-making, initiatives, and work products. The largest project in the Manager, Innocence Network Events’ portfolio is the Innocence Network Conference, an annual gathering of over 1,200 Network organization staff members, partners, as well as freed/exonerated people and their family members. The Manager, Innocence Network Events also organizes multi-day regional gatherings to further the aims of Innocence Network member organizations, plans and facilitates ad hoc virtual convenings, and manages various collaborative groups and processes.

The Manager, Innocence Network Events reports to the Director, Innocence Network Support Unit and works collaboratively with the staff at the Innocence Project, the leadership of the Innocence Network, and staff and board members at individual Innocence Network member organizations.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas and we are not an e-verify employer.

The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours of work per week to be performed virtually/in-office. We currently have a hybrid in-office model, with all employees in the office three days per week and the remainder of the week remotely. Wednesday is our organization’s “anchor day” where all staff works in the office. The number of required in-office days is subject to change.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Innocence Project seeks a highly organized, collaborative, and mission-driven events professional with experience coordinating and leading conferences, convenings, and stakeholder engagement initiatives. This person has strong project management skills and is a trusted relationship-builder who can manage multiple priorities, support inclusive and community-centered spaces, and work effectively with diverse audiences, including freed and exonerated community members, Network leaders, advocates, and external partners. The successful candidate thrives in fast-paced environments, communicates clearly and thoughtfully, and is passionate about supporting the work of the innocence movement through meaningful convenings and collaboration.

In addition, the ideal candidate models our IP Values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness. All Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and lived experience of our staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in this type of environment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

INNOCENCE NETWORK CONFERENCE STRATEGY AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT:

• In collaboration with the Director, NSU and key stakeholders, develop and drive strategic direction for annual Innocence Network Conference to ensure the event continues to meet the needs and expectations of an increasingly broad and diverse audience
• Manage the public call for session proposals, including the evaluation and selection of breakout session content geared toward a diverse array of attendees
• Assemble and direct the Network’s Conference Planning Working Group, a volunteer committee that helps select conference theme and breakout content
• Partner with innocence movement thought leaders and Network member organizations to develop plenary content consistent with the conference theme
• Provide critical feedback and ongoing support to breakout session organizers to ensure that content includes clear learning objectives, diverse voices, and audience interaction
• In collaboration with the Assistant Director, Network Reentry Capacity Building and Assistant Director, Network Organizational Development, establish dedicated time and space at the conference for affinity group meetings, peer-to-peer collaboration, and informal connection, fostering a sense of community and meaningful relationship-building among participants
• Develop, communicate, and implement health/safety protocols and community guidelines as related to conference attendance and attendees
• Recruit and manage the Conference Ambassador Program, comprised primarily of freed and exonerated community members, ensuring clear communication and adequate support
• Collaborate with Innocence Project Development team members and the Network’s Conference Sponsorship Working Group to advance the event’s financial targets
• Perform a thorough evaluation of the conference each year, including analyzing overall attendee feedback and individual session experiences to improve the event year-over-year
• Report to the Network Executive Board on conference related processes and decisions (i.e. feedback/evaluation, strategic planning, financial standing, site selection, etc.)

INNOCENCE NETWORK CONFERENCE OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS:

• Plan, coordinate, and execute the annual Innocence Network Conference, with support from members of the Network Support Unit and leaders in the Innocence Network
• Manage contracted conference consultants and interns, to include conducting pre-planning meetings, periodic check-ins, assessing progress towards long term goals, as well as delegating tasks
• Manage conference volunteers and temporary on-site support staff, to include scheduling and supervision on-site during the conference itself
• Identify and work with organizations/vendors in the city where the conference is being held to provide training and resources to conference attendees before and at each conference on topics such as harm reduction, conflict deescalation, art therapy, pet therapy, etc.
• Create the conference schedule, ensuring appropriate pacing and maintaining balance of subject matters and target audiences
• Manage all conference materials production, including conceptualization, design, and vendor procurement and management for program, signage, swag, etc.
• Oversee the conference registration process, including registrant review, liaising with the registration software vendor, and managing the registration logistics on-site
• Manage a variety of logistical elements such as site selection, a planning timeline, hotel rooming lists, ordering supplies, and packing and shipping materials
• Populate the conference website, updating content frequently as conference approaches
• Plan and manage on-site logistics ensuring a positive attendee experience; oversee catering, runs-of-show, audio visual, and directing live program/speakers
• Under the direction of the Director of the NSU, manage all fiscal aspects of the conference including developing and reconciling budgets, generating financial reports, and ensuring invoices are processed

REGIONAL SUMMITS:

• Serve as the NSU’s lead on Network Regional Leadership Summits, organizing annual gatherings attended by Network leaders and staff members, in four geographic areas of the United States
• With oversight from the Director, NSU, manage the annual budget for these four regional summits, including vendor procurement, management and payment, as well as applications and disbursements of travel and lodging stipends, as needed
• Lead end-to-end planning and execution, including coordinating date and site selection, developing detailed agendas, creating supporting materials and resources, and overseeing all on-site logistics to ensure a seamless participant experience
• Serve as a strategic partner to Network member hosts and facilitators by providing ongoing guidance, tools, and hands-on support throughout the planning process to ensure alignment with goals and effective program delivery
• Compile and deliver comprehensive post-summit reports that capture key outcomes, including attendee summaries, finalized agendas, session notes, major insights, and clearly defined next steps to inform future work
• Intentionally design each gathering agenda to include dedicated time and space for affinity group meetings, peer-to-peer collaboration, and informal connection, fostering a sense of community and meaningful relationship-building among participants

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT:

• Create and implement approaches that help Network leaders and the Innocence Project/NSU communicate and work together effectively on convening plans and execution
• Manage the Innocence Network’s new and ongoing external partnerships with organizations with which we collaborate at our convenings
• Facilitate relevant Network working groups and committees (Conference Finances Working Group, Conference Planning Working Group, Conference Sponsorship Working Group, and others as needed)
• Provide advice and coaching to staff of Innocence Network member organizations as needed/requested, particularly in the areas of event management and production
• Leverage the annual conference and other convenings to support leadership development opportunities for freed/exonerated people
• Oversee a variety of virtual convenings, identifying speakers and coordinating educational content on organizational development and litigation topics for Network members
• Develop and share relevant Network resources as needed, including communication guides, hosting guides, templates, etc.
• Participate in the formulation of ongoing outreach activities in response to Network annual report survey data and quarterly Network Member reviews

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree plus 5 years of hands-on experience leading and executing complex events, convenings, or productions from planning through post-event follow-up
• Deep knowledge of event management best practices, including agenda design, participant experience, and inclusive, trauma-informed approaches to gathering and facilitation
• Demonstrated interest in the work of the Innocence Project and Innocence Network; passion for nonprofit management, organizational development, leadership development, facilitation, collective decision-making, and diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and practices
• Superior verbal and written communication skills; graphic design skills a plus
• Experience preparing and managing budgets and financial plans
• Experience working with a broad array of stakeholders; experience collaborating with coalitions of independent and allied organizations and justice-impacted individuals a plus
• Ability to travel up to 20%
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

KEY COMPETENCIES + VALUES

• Ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and adhere to timelines with meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to liaise in a professional manner with all levels of staff, management, vendors, board members, and external contacts
• Superb analytical thinking skills to assess situations and react appropriately
• Strong sense of personal responsibility and accountability for delivering high-quality work
• Excel at relationship management, developing and maintaining trusting collaborative relationships with colleagues, volunteer leaders, Network staff at all levels, subject matter experts, and members of the freed and exonerated community
• Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to public interest
• Shared commitment to the IP’s values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness