[Hiring] Conference Programming Manager @CloserStill Media

Role Description

The Conference Programming Manager will play a central role in developing and delivering the conference program for Data Center Americas. Reporting to the Director of Programming, this individual will manage the day-to-day development of the agenda, speaker recruitment and management, session development, industry research and program execution.

The ideal candidate is a curious, resourceful conference professional who enjoys learning complex and fast-moving industries. Direct data center experience is not required. Experience producing conferences or content within technology, digital infrastructure, cloud, AI, energy or other technical B2B markets would be valuable.

We are looking for someone who can quickly immerse themselves in an industry, understand the issues that matter to its leaders, identify the right voices to bring into the conversation and translate those insights into compelling conference programming. This is a highly hands-on role requiring someone who can move comfortably between industry research, speaker outreach, agenda development and detailed execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Conference Program Development
  • Work closely with the Director of Programming to develop and execute the overall conference strategy and content planning.
  • Research industry trends, emerging technologies, business challenges and evolving market issues to identify compelling conference topics.
  • Develop session titles, descriptions, formats and discussion frameworks that address the priorities of event target audience.
  • Maintain and continuously refine the conference agenda as speakers, topics and industry developments evolve.
  • Become knowledgeable about the data center and digital infrastructure market through ongoing research, conversations with industry leaders and participation in relevant events.
  • Ensure programming remains timely, substantive and focused on education and industry insight rather than commercial promotion.
• Speaker Recruitment & Management
  • Research, identify and recruit senior executives, innovators and subject-matter experts to participate in the program.
  • Conduct proactive outreach to prospective speakers through email, phone, LinkedIn, industry events and other channels.
  • Develop relationships with speakers, prospective speakers and industry influencers.
  • Manage speaker invitations, confirmations, biographies, headshots, session information and required materials.
  • Conduct speaker briefing calls and coordinate panelists and moderators.
  • Ensure speakers understand session objectives, audience expectations and program guidelines.
  • Maintain regular communication with speakers from confirmation through onsite delivery.
• Call for Speakers & Submission Management
  • Manage the Call for Speakers process, including submission tracking, evaluation and communications.
  • Review submissions for relevance, quality, originality and commercial bias.
  • Make recommendations to the Director of Programming regarding session and speaker selection.
  • Work with commercial teams to evaluate submissions involving sponsors, exhibitors and prospective customers while maintaining the editorial integrity of the program.
  • Identify programming gaps and proactively research and recruit speakers to address them.
• Industry Research & Community Engagement
  • Develop an increasingly strong understanding of AI and digital infrastructure ecosystem.
  • Stay curious and actively seek to understand the technologies, companies, people and issues shaping the market.
  • Monitor industry news, competitive events, emerging technologies and market developments.
  • Attend relevant industry events when appropriate to identify trends, speakers and potential program topics.
  • Identify new companies, executives and subject-matter experts who should be represented within the digital infrastructure program.
  • Build relationships with industry associations, advisory board members, partners and other community stakeholders.
  • Support Advisory Board meetings, including research, meeting preparation and follow-up.
  • Use feedback from the community to continually improve the relevance and quality of the program.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner closely with the Programming Director and Sales, Marketing and Operations teams throughout the event cycle.
  • Provide Marketing with speaker announcements, session highlights and program content that can be used to drive attendance and engagement.
  • Collaborate with Sales on sponsored speaking opportunities and commercial submissions while maintaining clear differentiation between editorial programming and sponsored content.
  • Provide Sales with program intelligence that can help identify relevant sponsorship and partnership opportunities.
  • Work with Operations on staging, AV requirements, speaker logistics and onsite program delivery.
  • Maintain accurate program information across internal systems, websites, event platforms and marketing materials.
• Onsite Program Delivery
  • Play a key role in the onsite execution of the digital infrastructure conference program.
  • Manage speakers and moderators onsite and ensure they are prepared for their sessions.
  • Coordinate closely with AV, production and operations teams.
  • Monitor session timing, speaker arrivals and program changes.
  • Troubleshoot program and speaker issues in real time.
  • Help ensure a professional and seamless experience for speakers, sponsors and attendees.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of experience in conference production, content development, event programming, journalism, research or a related field.
• Experience producing B2B conferences, particularly within technology, digital infrastructure or another fast-moving technical market, is preferred.
• Comfortable working in a launch environment with the ability to navigate ambiguity, test new ideas, adapt quickly as priorities evolve, and help establish the conference as a must-attend industry event.
• Intellectual curiosity and a demonstrated ability to quickly learn and become conversant in new or complex subject areas.
• Strong research skills with the ability to identify important trends, organizations, executives and emerging issues.
• Ability to take technical or complex subjects and develop them into accessible, compelling business discussions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to recruit, communicate with and manage senior-level executives and subject-matter experts.
• Strong project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities simultaneously.
• Comfortable conducting proactive executive-level outreach by phone, email, LinkedIn and at industry events.
• Collaborative working style with the ability to work effectively across Content, Sales, Marketing and Operations.
• Ability and willingness to travel to relevant industry events.
• Digital infrastructure industry experience is a plus but is not required.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means developing a strong understanding of the digital infrastructure community and using that knowledge to help create a conference program that attracts the executives and practitioners the event is designed to serve. The Conference Programming Manager will be measured on the quality and relevance of the agenda; caliber and diversity of confirmed speakers; representation of key end-user organizations; achievement of speaker and agenda milestones; speaker experience; audience engagement; and effective collaboration across the team.

Above all, the successful candidate will be intellectually curious, proactive and eager to become immersed in the market—helping deliver a program that is current, credible, practical and driven by the real challenges facing the people building and operating America's digital infrastructure.

Diversity and Inclusion

CloserStill Media embrace diversity in all its forms and are committed to continuing to develop a diverse and inclusive environment that encourages collaboration and innovation. We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment based on merit without attention to age, ethnicity, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status or disability status.