Senior Manager, Events and Programs

Seattlechamber; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) & match

Generous PTO

Remote work stipend

Wellness resources

Zoo & discounts

Flexible spending accounts

Transit benefits

Job summary

Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce in Seattle, WA is seeking a Senior Manager, Events and Programs to lead a high-profile portfolio of signature events, executive convenings, regional conferences, leadership missions, and new initiatives.

You will supervise the Events Manager, partner with Marketing, Communications, and Membership, coach staff, manage budgets and sponsorships, and drive participant engagement while delivering exceptional experiences for members and partners.

Qualifications

• Seven+ years leading complex events, programs, or conferences.
• Experience supervising staff or project teams and coordinating cross-functional contributors.
• Proven track record improving programs to boost engagement, sponsorship value, revenue, or visibility.
• Strong project management with timelines, priorities, budgets, and reporting.
• Ability to use data, feedback, and sponsor input to measure results and drive improvements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, relationship management and problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, planning, execution, and evaluation of signature events and programs.
• Manage objectives, timelines, content, speakers, sponsors, budgets, vendors, and on-site execution.
• Develop or redesign programs based on member needs and sponsorship opportunities.
• Supervise the Events Manager and provide hands-on support as needed.
• Lead programs such as the Annual Meeting, Regional Leadership Conference, and other initiatives.
• Manage budgets, revenue assumptions, sponsorships, and budget-to-actual reporting.
• Build relationships with members, sponsors, officials, speakers, vendors, and partners.
• Collaborate with Marketing on messaging, materials, staffing, and contingency plans.

Skills

Event leadership

People management

Budget management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

CRM & member databases

Event software tools

Project management

Tools

CRM software

Event registration platforms

Virtual meeting tools

Reporting tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At the Seattle Metro Chamber, we work collaboratively to help our members thrive in an equitable and inclusive regional economy. We are an independent business advocacy organization with 2,500 members throughout the Seattle metro region – from your neighborhood restaurant to our area’s largest employers.

We’re honored that we were recognized as one of Washington’s 100 Best Places to Work in 2019, based on staff feedback. What makes us stand out? High impact on our community, a supportive atmosphere, and a competitive benefits package.

Interested in being part of the Seattle Metro Chamber or one of our affiliate organization teams? View our open positions below and click the position titles to see the full job descriptions.

Position: Senior Manager, Events and Programs

Location: Seattle, WA

Job Id: 228

# of Openings: 1

Organization: Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

Job Title: Senior 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 a Manager, Events & Programs while helping deliver high-quality experiences for members, speakers, sponsors, and guests.

About the Role

The Seattle Metro Chamber brings together business, government, and community leaders to advance our region.
The Senior Manager, Events and Programs leads a high-profile portfolio of signature events, executive and civic convenings, regional conferences, leadership missions, limited-series programs, and new initiatives.
Reporting to the Vice President of Member Development, this role leads the planning, development, and execution of Chamber programs and events. The Senior Manager oversees content, speakers, sponsors, budgets, communications, logistics, and post-event evaluation. The role supervises the Events Manager, strengthens engagement and sponsorship value, and remains actively involved in day-to-day execution.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the strategy, planning, execution, and evaluation of signature events, executive and civic convenings, leadership missions, limited-series programs, and new initiatives.
• Manage objectives, workplans, timelines, content, agendas, speakers, sponsors, budgets, vendors, logistics, staffing, onsite execution, and post-event evaluation.
• Develop, launch, or redesign programs based on member needs, audience feedback, sponsorship value, revenue opportunities, and organizational priorities.
• Supervise and coach the Events Manager, set priorities, allocate resources, monitor progress, and provide hands‑on support when needs shift.
• Lead programs such as the Annual Meeting, Regional Leadership Conference, Public Officials Reception, leadership missions, and limited series programs, and special initiatives.
• Manage budgets, revenue assumptions, sponsor commitments, vendor costs, participation data, stakeholder feedback, and budget‑to‑actual reporting.
• Build productive relationships with members, sponsors, senior leaders, speakers, public officials, vendors, advisory groups, and partners.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications on messaging and materials; maintain production plans, briefings, staffing and contingency plans, and stakeholder communications.

What You Bring

• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience leading complex events, programs, conferences, convenings, or related initiatives.
• Experience supervising employees or project teams and coordinating cross‑functional contributors, speakers, vendors, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success developing or improving programs that strengthen engagement, sponsorship value, revenue, or organizational visibility.
• Strong project and program management skills, including complex timelines, shifting priorities, multiple contributors, budgets, and reporting.
• Ability to use participation data, feedback, sponsor input, and performance measures to evaluate results and recommend improvements.
• Excellent written, verbal, relationship‑management, judgment, discretion, and problem‑solving skills.
• A resourceful, collaborative approach with strong follow‑through and the ability to influence without formal authority.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM or member databases, event registration platforms, virtual meeting tools, and reporting tools.

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.

Technical Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to work early mornings, evenings, and extended hours and to support onsite event setup through breakdown.
• 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.
• Ability to move event materials weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

The Chamber is committed to internal and market equity.

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $87,380 - $109,239 annually, based on experience.

The Chamber provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including but not restricted to:

• 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
• Telecommunication Reimbursement
• Mindfulness and Wellness Resources
• Life Insurance
• Company-sponsored ORCA Card
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 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.