Director, Events Programming, US at The Conference Board – New York, New York

Position Summary:

The Director, Events Programming leads the design and execution of high-impact event strategy and agendas across TCB’s portfolio of events convened for senior business decision makers. This role is responsible for setting event strategy and themes, curating compelling content, booking world-class and impactful speakers, and producing onstage experiences that reflect the issues shaping today’s global business landscape.

You’ll be part editor, part producer, and part strategist — someone who can translate complex ideas into engaging, story-driven programming that inspires audiences and advances The Conference Board’s mission.

This role defines strategy and owns outcomes. The Director sets the intellectual vision for event programs, serves as an editorial decision-maker, and represents TCB externally, with full accountability for content quality, relevance, and strategic impact.

Accountabilities:

Programming & Content Strategy

• Develop conference agendas from concept through execution, defining themes, topics, and narrative flow for each program.
• Translate TCB’s research and strategic priorities into engaging, insight-driven formats that foster real dialogue and learning.
• Identify emerging trends, topics, and thought leaders in business, economics, ESG, HR, technology, and leadership.
• Partner with TCB’s research centers and subject matter experts to ensure each program’s content is relevant, rigorous, and distinctive.

Serve as decision-maker on agenda structure, thematic direction, and narrative coherence.Speaker Recruitment & Relationship Management

• Source, vet, and secure top-tier speakers, panelists, and moderators from across industries and sectors.
• Co-create engaging and valuable sponsor-driven speakers and stage sessions, balancing commercial priorities and enhancing on stage content quality.
• Manage speaker outreach, briefing, and on-site experience to ensure alignment with event objectives and brand standards.
• Build and sustain relationships with high-level business leaders, policymakers, academics, and innovators, as well as internal TCB stakeholders globally.
• Personally recruit and steward senior-level speakers (C-suite, policymakers, global experts) and maintain long-term strategic relationships

Event Production & Onstage Experience

• Shape the structure and pacing of sessions in collaboration with production teams — including keynotes, fireside chats, panels, and interactive workshops.
• Partner with marketing, creative, and technical teams to enhance storytelling through staging, multimedia, and audience participation.
• Develop event scripts, talking points, and run-of-show documents to ensure cohesive storytelling and smooth execution.
• Maintain quality control of content delivery and pacing during live events (both in-person and virtual) in collaboration with programming managers and production staff.
• Set cross-functional direction and priorities, resolving trade-offs and aligning teams around strategic programming goals

Innovation & New Formats

• Experiment with new event models and engagement strategies — from hybrid programming and thematic roundtables to micro-events and digital extensions.
• Bring creative ideas from the broader events and media ecosystem to keep TCB’s programming fresh, relevant, and influential.
• Define the long-term innovation roadmap for event programming and determine which new formats scale across the portfolio

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Marketing to align messaging, highlight speaker stories, and support audience growth.
• Collaborate with Sponsorship and Partnerships teams to identify content opportunities that align with sponsor priorities while maintaining editorial integrity.

• Responsible for being a champion of our five core values: Relevance, Openness, Innovation, Integrity, and Collaboration

Qualifications:

• 12–15 years of experience in event programming, content development, or conference production within events, media, or professional associations.
• Proven ability to design engaging agendas and recruit influential speakers.
• Exceptional writing, research, and storytelling skills.
• Strong understanding of live and virtual event production, including scripting and onstage flow.
• Experience collaborating across marketing, communications, and business development teams.
• Tech-savvy; demonstrated experience and agility using collaboration platforms (Teams, Sharepoint) and AI tools to support research and efficient ideation, content creation and more.
• Creative thinker with a passion for innovation in content and audience experience; embraces a mindset of continuous improvement and evolution vs revolution.

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 hybrid 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, and employee events.

The Conference Board does not discriminate. We are an equal opportunity employer/M/F/Vet/Disabled.