Manager, Events and Programs

Organization: Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Job Title: 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 2,500 member organizations across industries, sizes, and communities. For more than 140 years, we’ve 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 you're 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 Seattle's future. You'll oversee signature Chamber events, collaborate with colleagues across Membership, Public Affairs, and Communications, and help shape experiences that inform, engage, and strengthen our region's business community. In addition to leading event strategy and execution, you'll coach and support two Events & Programs Specialists while helping deliver high-quality experiences for members, speakers, sponsors, and guests. This role is well suited for an experienced event professional who enjoys both relationship-building and execution, and who values the opportunity to contribute to conversations shaping the future of the Seattle region. About the Role 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, timely content on key policy initiatives and supervises Events & Programs Specialists who support assigned event portfolios. The role is also accountable for ensuring consistent, high-quality guest experience across assigned events, including clear communication, smooth registration, professional on-site execution, and responsive issue resolution. This position manages a portfolio of events—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—overseeing agenda development, speaker engagement, budget management, and event delivery. The role collaborates with the policy team to shape program content, provides day-to-day guidance to Specialists managing assigned event portfolios, and supports cross-functional events, including the Community Development Roundtable. The role will also support other event operations such as registration and event attendance outside of their primary portfolio. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in event strategy and content development, with the ability to operate both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. This role serves as a key internal and external liaison, demonstrating sound judgment, professionalism, and a solutions-oriented approach. Flexibility to support events across Seattle, including early morning or evening engagements, is required. This position reports to the VP, Member Development and directly supervises two Events & Programs Specialists. 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 You’ll Do 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. 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. What You Bring Experience: 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. Technical Skills and Competencies: 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. Microsoft Office Suite 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. Employment Details The Chamber is committed to internal and market equity. The anticipated hiring range for this position is $76,663 - $95,825 annually, based on experience. The Chamber provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including but not restricted to: We Got You Covered – Benefits & Perks 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! 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 record. In 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.