Senior Manager of Network Convenings

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a nonpartisan research and policy institute that advances federal and state policies to help build a nation where everyone — regardless of income, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ZIP code, immigration status, or disability status — has the resources they need to thrive and share in the nation’s prosperity.

To advance these goals in the states, CBPP co-founded and continues to coordinate and convene the State Priorities Partnership (SPP). Together, SPP organizations have more than 400 staff across 42 organizations. The body within CBPP that supports the SPP network is the State Fiscal Policy (SFP) team, which comprises approximately 40 high-caliber staff across seven separate teams. SFP is a dynamic team that influences state policy debates by producing timely, credible, and accessible research; messaging complex issues in clear and compelling ways; and delivering this analysis into the hands of lawmakers, media, grassroots organizations, and other partners who can help mobilize change. To support this work, SFP coordinates several annual conferences and ad hoc meetings to facilitate learning and collaboration among CBPP staff, state partners, and national allies.

The Senior Manager of Network Convenings will help implement the team’s program goals by planning for SFP’s convenings, including its annual conference, Summer Leadership Institute; New Staff Training; and other events. They will also oversee and coordinate with those providing logistics and events management support. This position will report to SFP’s Director of Network Culture and Organizational Effectiveness.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure the successful implementation of the SFP annual conference, New Staff Training, Summer Leadership Institute, and other meetings and convenings.
• Manage all aspects of SFP convenings, including collaborating across SFP subteams and state partners; developing and monitoring project plans; and overseeing logistics such as venue research, vendor contracting, production, and registration.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with SFP staff to ensure convenings support team goals as well as the equity, inclusion, and belonging goals of CBPP and the State Priorities Partnership. Facilitate planning committee meetings and communicate convening needs and key decisions to supervisor and other team leads.
• Develop and manage budgets for each convening/conference in collaboration with relevant SFP leadership and key program staff. Develop tracking reports for the Director of Strategic Grantmaking on budget and spending as well as reconciliation of actuals against budget for each event.
• Establish clear protocols and deadlines for SFP staff and session leaders to provide materials and AV requests. Oversee the production of event handouts, instructional materials, aids, and manuals; ship materials; and ensure that arrangements are made for speakers/presenters, utilizing the events logistics team as needed.
• Manage conference consultants, facilitators, speakers, and panelists. Oversee and work with logistics and events management support staff around contractors, including negotiating contracts with vendors, venues, and speakers according to an approved budget. This also includes working closely with CBPP’s Finance department to ensure contracts are signed in a timely manner.
• Travel to support event programming. Serve as the oversight point of contact with venues through planning and implementation.
• Manage post-conference follow-up and assess any changes needed for the following year through event debriefs.
• Perform other job-related duties within the role’s scope as assigned to support the team’s goals.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of seven years of experience with conference management in a professional setting, supporting events from 40 to 1,000 participants, preferably in a nonprofit setting.
• Experience with program design and project management for conferences and engagement events, with a focus on delivering impactful and well-structured programs.
• Experience working with event logistics staff, hotels, and other training venues; negotiating contracts; and overseeing day-of onsite coordination.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and build strong relationships.
• Ability to manage events from inception to completion while contributing effectively to team efforts.
• A strong customer service orientation responsive to the needs of colleagues and event participants.
• Knowledge and experience with conference management software such as CVENT.
• Proficiency in MS Office and database software, including strong aptitude with Outlook, Office 365, and SharePoint.
• A demonstrated commitment to principles of equity and inclusion; a high degree of self-awareness, humility, and diplomacy; and the ability to work with diverse colleagues at all levels.

This position is based in our Washington, D.C. office. CBPP is currently operating on a hybrid work schedule of two full in-office days (Tuesday and Wednesday) per week as well as the first Thursday of each month in our Washington, D.C. office.

This position reports to the Director of Network Culture and Organizational Health.

Terms of Employment: Full-time; exempt.

Bargaining Unit Status: This is a bargaining unit position.

Compensation: Salary for this position ranges from $83,000 to $115,000 per year; pay is based on a number of factors including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience and internal pay equity. Excellent benefits (including health insurance, vision and dental coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, MERP, and DCAP) and generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday schedules.