Audience & Programming Operations Director - Contractor

Human Ventures, LLC.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Human Ventures is seeking a seasoned Audience & Programming Operations Director for the Human Attention Summit 2027 in NYC. You will translate leadership's vision into a precise agenda and speaker lineup, and manage the audience experience end to end.

This is an operational, contract-to-permanent role starting in September for about seven months, with a clear path to full-time at Human Ventures for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in event programming operations and high-touch relationship management.
• Proven ability to manage executive audiences, media, and sponsor dynamics.
• Strong writer and communications skills with precise, executive-ready tone.

Responsibilities

• Translate leadership's themes into a structured agenda and run-of-show for the Summit.
• Manage speaker logistics, travel, hospitality, and prep materials end-to-end.
• Coordinate session formats and on-site operations for a high-caliber audience.
• Oversee registrations, communications, and data hygiene for attendee lists.
• Serve as primary on-site contact for invited guests during the two-day event.

Skills

Event planning

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Project management

Vendor coordination

Attention to detail

Job description

About Human Ventures

Human Ventures is a New York-based holding company built on creating long-term value in the new Attention Economy. With the core investment themes of human connection, experience, and trust in the age of AI, Human consists of three divisions: Human VC, which invests in, acquires, and rebuilds undervalued assets; Human AI, a dedicated studio building AI-native companies; and Human Network Partners, a partnerships and events platform.

Founded by Heather Hartnett and Joe Marchese, Human is among the most connected capital partners; and has invested in and co-built more than 65 companies, with key investments including Reserve (acquired), Komos Tequila, Adelaide, Kinema, Breakaway, and Evvy. To learn more, visit www.human.vc.

Role Overview

Human Ventures is seeking an Audience & Programming Operations Director for the Human Attention Summit 2027, an off-the-record gathering atop the Domino Sugar Factory bringing together CEOs, CMOs, founders, journalists, academics, and cultural leaders. This person will translate leadership's vision into a fully executed agenda and speaker lineup, and manage the audience experience end to end. This is an operational and relationship-management role. The point of view and creative direction for the Summit come from Human Ventures leadership. You build, book, and run the room around it with the precision a CEO's own team would expect.

Engagement Type

This is a contract-to-permanent role. We're looking for the right person to start in September on a contract basis for approximately seven months to support the Human Attention Summit. For the right candidate, this role has a clear path to a full-time position with Human Ventures beyond the Summit.

What You'll Do

Programming Execution

• Translate leadership's vision and themes into a structured agenda, session calendar, and run-of-show for the Summit

• Manage pre- through post-event speaker logistics: scheduling, confirmations, travel and hospitality coordination

• Coordinate the production and timely delivery of session briefs and speaker prep materials, working with leadership to ensure speakers arrive fully prepared

• Coordinate with production and hospitality to execute session formats (dinners, roundtables, fireside chats, debates, town halls) as directed

• Serve as the day-to-day operational point of contact for speakers and their teams through the live event

Audience Relationship Management & White-Glove Service

• Manage communications with confirmed and prospective attendees, matching the tone and precision expected by senior executives

• Build and manage the registration platform, including responsibility for website copy and email communications to be approved by senior leadership

• Manage pre-production and day-of operations for the registration desk, including staff training, overseeing the desk, and managing credentialing/envelopes

• Navigate sponsor category-exclusivity dynamics and competitive sensitivities between brands, agencies, and PR reps

• Manage relationships with EAs and comms teams supporting principal calendars

• Own RSVP pipeline, waitlist, and decline intelligence through to final attendee list

• Maintain data hygiene as a relationship discipline: every record carries assistant, PR lead, comms contact, CC hygiene, dietaries, and sensitivities in one source of truth

• Same-day responsiveness with defined coverage windows on travel days

• Manage confirmations, replacements, seating and salon-dinner inputs, and sensitivity mapping

• Serve as the primary point of contact for invited guests through the live event, with on-site presence for the two-day Summit, ensuring every touchpoint reflects the caliber of the Summit

• Partner with production and hospitality teams so content, staging, and audience experience reinforce each other

Post-Summit

• Coordinate recap production with the events and content teams, pulling together materials and speaker follow-ups that support the final narrative

• Produce a comprehensive audience recap and breakdown, providing strategic recommendations for future improvements

• Own any post-event feedback process and analysis

Who You Are

• 10+ years of experience spanning event programming operations and high-touch relationship management (live events, business media, or executive audience development)

• Deep, credible relationships with executives, journalists, technologists, and thought leaders, or a demonstrated ability to build them quickly

• Direct experience managing sensitive dynamics between competing brands, agencies, and sponsors

• Excellent writer and communicator, with an ear for the tone and precision senior executives expect

• A strong operator: someone who can take another person's vision and turn it into a flawlessly executed program, without needing to originate the creative direction themselves

• Highly organized, self-directed, comfortable owning a workstream independently against a fixed date

• NYC-based essential, given the in-person nature of planning and execution