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Position Summary
Primary Duty
The Manager of Programs & Events (internal title: Manager, Program Operations) is responsible for the end-to-end planning and execution of IHS convenings across a portfolio of in-person and virtual programs. Reporting to the Director of Program Operations, this role owns operational delivery – including event logistics, event technology, and event design – and serves as the primary operational coordinator across academic, communications, and development teams, translating program goals into executed events.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Event Planning & Execution
• Own and lead a portfolio of in-person and virtual convenings (approximately ten annually) from concept through close-out, ensuring each meet IHS standards for quality, logistics, and participant experience.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans for owned programs, including task assignments, milestone tracking, and cross-functional dependencies.
• Direct pre-event logistics for owned programs, including venue sourcing and coordination, room setup, A/V configuration, catering, run-of-show development, and on-site staffing plans.
• Staff and oversee on-site and virtual delivery of owned programs, serving as the primary operational point of contact and resolving issues in real time.
• Provide operational and logistical support for additional programs led by other staff, as needed — including registration setup, technology configuration, and on-site staffing.
Event Technology
• Administer the event and operations technology stack – including registration and virtual event platforms (Cvent), CRM (Salesforce), project management (Asana), travel booking (Egencia), and mass communications (MassMailer) – configuring registration workflows, attendee communications, and data capture, and troubleshooting platform issues in real time during program delivery.
• Evaluate emerging event technology and recommend tools or process improvements that enhance operational efficiency or attendee experience.
Event Design & Participant Experience
• Lead event design in coordination with program leads and stakeholders – including agenda structure, session formats, attendee flow, networking opportunities, and environmental elements – developing scalable solutions across diverse program types and audience profiles aligned to program goals.
• Ensure participant-facing communications and materials reflect IHS brand standards and provide a cohesive attendee experience from registration through follow-up.
Internal Stakeholder Management
• Serve as the primary operational liaison between the Program Operations team and internal partners (academic faculty, development, communications, executive leadership), leading recurring cross-functional program meetings, managing expectations, communicating status, and flagging and escalating risks as needed.
• Prepare and distribute internal briefings, logistics memos, and post-event recaps for leadership and partnering teams.
Operations & Continuous Improvement
• Maintain and refine program templates, checklists, standard operating procedures, and institutional documentation to support team-wide consistency and knowledge transfer.
• Conduct after-action reviews and identify cross-program patterns to drive process improvement and scalable practices.
• Operationalize new and experimental program types, applying existing organizational process assets while piloting new approaches.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This role has no supervisory responsibilities.
Required Qualifications
• 4+ years of experience in event management, program operations, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in event logistics and execution across in-person and virtual formats.
• Hands-on experience with event and operations technology, including proficiency with at least one registration or virtual event platform (e.g., Cvent, Hopin, Whova) and a CRM.
• Strong project management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, ambiguous, and time-sensitive programs and exercise sound judgment.
• High degree of organization and detail orientation, with the ability to manage multiple overlapping programs simultaneously.
• Experience with data-informed decision-making and performance tracking.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with the IHS technology stack or comparable platforms (Cvent, Salesforce, Asana, Egencia, MassMailer).
• Familiarity with academic environments and the expectations of an intellectually engaged audience.
• Experience designing scalable, audience-centered event formats.
• Alignment with the mission and institutional priorities of the Institute for Humane Studies.
Working Conditions
Travel
IHS operates remotely. Staff attend organization-wide in-office weeks in Arlington, VA — two required and one optional per year — each running approximately Monday through Thursday.
In addition, this role includes occasional program-related travel to support conferences and convening events.
Total travel for this role is up to approximately 20% of the year, inclusive of in-office weeks and program travel.
Schedule / Hours
Full-time, Monday – Friday, 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. ET.
Physical Requirements / Work Environment
This role is primarily a sedentary, office/remote role. Essential physical functions include prolonged periods working at a computer, frequent use of a keyboard and screen, and the ability to communicate and exchange information verbally and in writing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
During in-person programs and events, this role also requires standing and walking for extended periods and occasionally lifting, carrying, or moving materials of up to 20 pounds (e.g., event supplies and setup).
Salary Ranges
$60,000–$75,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications. Total compensation also includes health and wellness benefits, as detailed below.
• Resume
• Cover letter detailing your interest in this position and why the IHS mission resonates with you.
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) is a think network advancing the principles and practices of freedom in the academy, public policy, and civil society.
Founded in 1961, IHS believes that the liberal tradition has yielded unprecedented freedom and human flourishing. And in this moment, when the forces of illiberalism on both the left and right are gaining ground at an alarming pace, our vision is to spark a new spirit of liberal freedom.
• Cultivating a pool of intellectual talent for partners in policy, civil society, philanthropy, and the academy through $1.5 million in fellowship and career development programs.
• Catalyzing scholarship and academic networks to strengthen the fields of foundational and applied research that matter most to a free society.
• Equipping freedom-focused research centers, think tanks, foundations, and civil society organizations with the research and experts they need to maximize their impact in policy and in communities across the country.
We have a flexible, professional, open office environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship and provides substantial opportunity for professional growth. Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience. IHS provides exceptional benefits to all employees, including health and dental insurance coverage (which includes paying 100% of the health and dental insurance premium for individuals), health savings accounts, long-term disability and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement savings program, a parking permit and 12 free tuition credit hours annually at George Mason University.