Event Producer

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Job Description

The organization is seeking an Events Manager to lead the strategy, design, and execution of public-facing events in Cambridge and globally. This role is ideal for a candidate who enjoys developing innovative event strategies that advance the organization’s mission while also taking ownership of the operational excellence required to deliver exceptional experiences and strengthen global engagement.

The Senior Events Manager will serve as the organization’s lead on events and convenings, shaping the overall vision and annual event portfolio, advising leadership on programming priorities, and directing the development and execution of conferences, student seminars, and strategic convenings for the broader community, including staff, fellows, students, alumni, and external practitioners and researchers. This position will report to the Senior Director of Communications and coordinate closely with programming leadership and the broader team.

As a small, collaborative team, staff are responsible for both planning and executing programming. They must have the ability to interact and collaborate closely with a variety of stakeholders, including students, fellows, faculty, donors, development partners, and prominent individuals and organizations with tact and diplomacy.

This position requires working independently and as part of a team, along with a high level of maturity and good judgment. Given the nature of this position, the candidate will be required to work mostly in person at the organization’s offices during the academic year, with more flexibility over the summer. This is a high-profile, fast-paced environment with friendly and energetic staff.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Strategic Event Planning & Program Development (65%)

• Develop and lead a comprehensive annual events strategy that advances the organization’s mission, research priorities, institutional visibility, and community engagement locally and globally.
• Lead financial planning and stewardship for the annual events portfolio, developing budgets, allocating resources strategically, monitoring expenditures, and identifying opportunities to maximize impact and efficiency.
• Lead design and delivery of the event portfolio, including ongoing programming and marquee events, working with faculty and leadership to identify priority themes, curate speakers, shape program content, and engage target audiences.
• Advise leadership on the annual events calendar, prioritizing programming opportunities and balancing institutional goals, faculty interests, budget, and organizational capacity.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships that expand the reach and impact of programming.
• Advise leadership on opportunities for external speaking engagements, collaborations, and new event initiatives that strengthen visibility and influence.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to faculty and leadership in developing programming that elevates research, responds to emerging policy issues, and strengthens relationships across the organization and broader global development community.
• Establish metrics to evaluate event success, analyze participation trends and audience feedback, and recommend improvements to programming strategy, engagement, and operational effectiveness.

Event Operations & Delivery (35%)

• Manage all logistical aspects of events, conferences, and speaker visits, including venue coordination, catering, travel, audiovisual needs, registration, and on-site execution, as well as supporting logistics for regional programming off campus when needed.
• Anticipate, troubleshoot, and resolve operational and technical challenges during event planning and execution, exercising sound judgment under pressure.
• Develop, manage, and reallocate budgets for conferences, event series, and outreach.
• Negotiate contracts, as needed, and manage internal and external vendors, such as facilities, catering, media and technology services, security, and other vendors.
• In collaboration with the Communications team, coordinate communications and event promotion through internal and external channels, including drafting weekly newsletters, event posters, social media posts, and other promotional materials.
• Initiate post-event communications, including event write-ups, video content, and other follow-up materials.
• Manage event registration and attendance tracking through Salesforce and other systems, ensuring collection of information at registration that will lead to successful events.
• Process event-related invoices, reimbursements, and financial documentation.
• Oversee support of hybrid and virtual programming, including Zoom webinar setup, livestream coordination, and audiovisual troubleshooting.
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment by supporting additional organizational initiatives and operational needs as required.
• Operate independently in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating exceptional attention to detail, initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with limited oversight.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• BA/BS and a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in event management, program management, higher education administration, or a related field.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

If you have some but not all of the following, we encourage you to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as Economics, Public Policy, International Development, or a related discipline preferred.
• Professional work experience in international development and deep understanding of the development sector preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategy and management of complex events, programs, or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Master’s degree preferred in Economics, Public Policy, International Development, or a related field requiring substantial quantitative coursework.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to multitask while maintaining excellent attention to detail.
• Highly motivated and detail-oriented, with the ability to meet tight deadlines and strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with experience providing complex administrative and programmatic support, working well independently, and contributing as a valuable team member.
• Strong proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Canva, and AI tools.
• Experience running online webinars and livestreams using Zoom and other software.