Senior Manager, Event Programming

Standtogether; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6% 401(k) match with immediate vesting

Flexible time off

Comprehensive health and dental plans

Wellness and mental health support via

Job summary

Stand Together in Arlington, VA seeks a Senior Manager, Event Programming to shape strategy-aligned programming across a portfolio of events, from small convenings to flagship tentpoles. You will own the end-to-end programming lifecycle and lead with a clear narrative that advances organizational priorities.

You’ll partner with senior leaders, design engaging session formats, and drive high-quality experiences that mobilize resources, strengthen relationships, and accelerate philanthropic

Qualifications

• Minimum 8+ years of experience in event programming, content development, live events, or a related field.
• Experience owning programming for complex, multi-session events.
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate goals into programming plans.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate across teams and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work in fast-paced environments.
• Calm under pressure and confident in making live-event decisions.
• Commitment to Stand Together's values and culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead programming development for a portfolio of events, including both small convenings and large tentpole events.
• Translate organizational priorities and partner needs into clear programming strategies, frameworks, and outcomes.
• Define and drive programming throughlines, themes, and narratives that shape the overall event experience.
• Establish and uphold programming standards, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment across events.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to internal leaders on programming direction, tradeoffs, and opportunities.
• Design session formats, agendas, and run‑of‑show outlines that balance inspiration, insight, and engagement.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to identify priority topics, speakers, and stories aligned to strategic goals.
• Develop speaker briefs, talking points, and session guidance to ensure clarity, consistency, and impact.
• Collaborate with speakers and moderators to refine content, sharpen messages, and elevate on‑stage delivery.
• Work closely with event operations, guest experience, creative, production, and partnerships teams to ensure programming is executable and aligned with the overall event design.
• Serve as the programming point of contact for internal leaders, speakers, and external partners.
• Coordinate timelines, approvals, and feedback loops related to programming development.
• Set and maintain a high bar for programming quality across all events.
• Lead onsite programming execution for key moments, including speaker preparation, stage management, and real‑time decision making.
• Support and mentor team members in onsite execution and problem‑solving.
• Lead post‑event debriefs, synthesizing insights and applying learnings to continuously improve programming strategy.

Job description

Stand Together is a philanthropic community that helps America’s boldest changemakers tackle the root causes of our country’sbiggest problems, from education to the economy, broken communities, and toxic division, among dozens of other pressing issues. We provide our partners with access to resources including funding, thought leadership, a network of peers, and a playbook for applying proven principles to transform lives and society.

Senior Manager, Event Programming

The Senior Manager, Event Programming is responsible for shaping and leading strategy‑aligned programming across a portfolio of events, including flagship tentpoles. This role owns the end‑to‑end programming lifecycle and plays a critical leadership role in defining how event content advances organizational priorities. As part of the Stand Together Events Center of Excellence, this role drives production of high‑quality, purpose‑driven events that translate complex social impact ideas into compelling, memorable experiences which mobilize resources, strengthen relationships, and accelerate philanthropic outcomes.

This individual operates as a strategic partner to senior leaders, translating complex objectives into compelling narratives, high‑impact sessions, and cohesive audience experiences. They also set the standard for programming excellence, influencing both content quality and team approach across events.

This is an ideal role for an experienced event professional, strong in both strategy and execution, who can translate vision into influential events with a clear, compelling narrative and purpose from start to finish.

• Lead programming development for a portfolio of events, including both small convenings and large tentpole events
• Translate organizational priorities and partner needs into clear programming strategies, frameworks, and outcomes
• Define and drive programming throughlines, themes, and narratives that shape the overall event experience
• Establish and uphold programming standards, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment across events
• Serve as a strategic advisor to internal leaders on programming direction, tradeoffs, and opportunities
• Design session formats, agendas, and run‑of‑show outlines that balance inspiration, insight, and engagement
• Partner with internal stakeholders to identify priority topics, speakers, and stories aligned to strategic goals
• Develop speaker briefs, talking points, and session guidance to ensure clarity, consistency, and impact
• Collaborate with speakers and moderators to refine content, sharpen messages, and elevate on‑stage delivery
• Work closely with event operations, guest experience, creative, production, and partnerships teams to ensure programming is executable and aligned with the overall event design
• Serve as the programming point of contact for internal leaders, speakers, and external partners
• Coordinate timelines, approvals, and feedback loops related to programming development
• Set and maintain a high bar for programming quality across all events
• Lead onsite programming execution for key moments, including speaker preparation, stage management, and real‑time decision making
• Support and mentor team members in onsite execution and problem‑solving
• Lead post‑event debriefs, synthesizing insights and applying learnings to continuously improve programming strategy
• 8+ years of experience in event programming, content development, live events, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience owning programming for complex, multi‑session events
• Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to turn abstract goals into concrete programming plans
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to collaborate across teams and manage multiple stakeholders
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and comfortable working in fast‑paced environments
• Calm under pressure and confident in making decisions in live event settings
• Enthusiasm to contribute to Stand Together's vision and principled approach to solving problems, and a commitment to stewarding our culture, which champions values including transformation and innovation, entrepreneurialism, humility, and respect.

• Competitive benefits: Enjoy a 6% 401(k) match with immediate vesting, flexible time off, comprehensive health and dental plans, plus wellness and mental health support through Peloton and Talkspace.
• A meaningful career: Join a passionate community of over 1,300 employees dedicated to improving lives and driving innovative solutions to complex social challenges.
• Commitment to growth: Thrive in a non‑hierarchical environment that empowers employees to discover, develop and apply their unique talents.
• Competitive compensation: Our approach rewards the value you create through competitive salaries and bonus opportunities, allowing you to share in the success you help drive.

Our Values:

Working for an organization within the Stand Together philanthropic community is different from many other places. The culture is deeply rooted in Principle Based Management® (PBM®), a framework guided by the principles that drive human progress, such as dignity, openness, and bottom‑up empowerment. PBM® empowers employees to be entrepreneurial, to innovate, and to continually drive transformation.

We believe diversity fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success. That is why we’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and strive to treat all employees and applicants with honesty, dignity, and respect.