Senior Manager, Events and Programs

Organization: Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

Job Title: Senior Manager Events and Programs

Classification: Regular Full-Time Exempt
Reports To: VP Member Development

About Us

At the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce we believe in the power of business to drive positive change. As the largest and most diverse business association in the Puget Sound region we represent over 2500 member organizations across industries sizes and communities. For more than 140 years weve been a trusted voice for business advocating for policies and partnerships that build a vibrant inclusive and globally competitive regional economy.

Our mission is simple but powerful: We help our members thrive in an equitable and inclusive regional economy.

Our vision: A region where businesses of all sizes flourish and prosperity is shared.

Why Join Us

If youre energized by connecting people ideas and action this role offers the opportunity to lead a portfolio of programs that bring together business leaders elected officials members and community partners around the issues shaping Seattles future.

Youll oversee signature Chamber events collaborate with colleagues across Membership Public Affairs and Communications and help shape experiences that inform engage and strengthen our regions business addition to leading event strategy and execution youll coach and support a Manager Events & Programs while helping deliver high-quality experiences for members speakers sponsors and guests.

About the Role

The Seattle Metro Chamber brings together business government and community leaders to advance our region.
The Senior Manager Events and Programs leads a high-profile portfolio of signature events executive and civic convenings regional conferences leadership missions limited-series programs and new initiatives.
Reporting to the Vice President of Member Development this role leads the planning development and execution of Chamber programs and events. The Senior Manager oversees content speakers sponsors budgets communications logistics and post-event evaluation. The role supervises the Events Manager strengthens engagement and sponsorship value and remains actively involved in day-to-day execution.

How to Apply

If you are interested in the role please scroll down to apply!

**Note that resumes and cover letters will be reviewed by hiring manager upon receipt.**

What Youll Do

• Lead the strategy planning execution and evaluation of signature events executive and civic convenings leadership missions limited-series programs and new initiatives.
• Manage objectives workplans timelines content agendas speakers sponsors budgets vendors logistics staffing onsite execution and post-event evaluation.
• Develop launch or redesign programs based on member needs audience feedback sponsorship value revenue opportunities and organizational priorities.
• Supervise and coach the Events Manager set priorities allocate resources monitor progress and provide hands-on support when needs shift.
• Lead programs such as the Annual Meeting Regional Leadership Conference Public Officials Reception leadership missions and limited series programs and special initiatives.
• Manage budgets revenue assumptions sponsor commitments vendor costs participation data stakeholder feedback and budget-to-actual reporting.
• Build productive relationships with members sponsors senior leaders speakers public officials vendors advisory groups and partners.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications on messaging and materials; maintain production plans briefings staffing and contingency plans and stakeholder communications.

What You Bring

• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience leading complex events programs conferences convenings or related initiatives.
• Experience supervising employees or project teams and coordinating cross-functional contributors speakers vendors and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success developing or improving programs that strengthen engagement sponsorship value revenue or organizational visibility.
• Strong project and program management skills including complex timelines shifting priorities multiple contributors budgets and reporting.
• Ability to use participation data feedback sponsor input and performance measures to evaluate results and recommend improvements.
• Excellent written verbal relationship-management judgment discretion and problem-solving skills.
• A resourceful collaborative approach with strong follow-through and the ability to influence without formal authority.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office CRM or member databases event registration platforms virtual meeting tools and reporting tools.

Work Environment

We embrace a hybrid work model that values collaboration and autonomy. This position requires consistent in-person presence three days per week in our downtown Seattle office as well as on-site or in-field work for events and meetings. Two days per week may be remote for Washington State residents. Occasional regional travel early mornings evenings and weekend commitments are required.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in face-to-face collaboration understands the value of showing up where the work happens and produces high quality of work under pressure and shifting multiple priorities.

Technical Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to work early mornings evenings and extended hours and to support onsite event setup through breakdown.
• 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.
• Ability to move event materials weighing up to 25 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.

Employment Details

The Chamber is committed to internal and market equity. The anticipated hiring range for this position is $87380 - $109239 annually based on experience. The Chamber provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including but not restricted to:

• Medical Dental and Vision Coverage employer pay 96% of the employee premiumincluding $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
• Telecommunication Reimbursement
• 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!

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity

We recognize the value of the Chamber and our affiliate organizations and programs reflecting the diversity of our community and are intentionally and actively seeking out applications from a variety of backgrounds.

The Chamber is an equal opportunity employer. All employees and potential employees will be recruited selected trained promoted and if necessary disciplined without regard to sex race religion creed caste marital status age national origin ancestry color sexual orientation gender identity or expression political ideology or activity disability honorably discharged veteran or military status. All applicants are carefully screened and full consideration is given to their training education skills aptitudes experience and previous work addition the Chamber does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information in its employment related policies and practices including coverage under its health benefits program.

Required Experience:

Senior Manager